The planning authority in London’s Royal Borough of Greenwich has ordered the demolition of a new residential development along the River Thames. In a statement, the authority concluded that the 23-story building, named Mast Quay Phase II, was “so substantially different to the scheme that was originally permitted” that the development’s ultimate construction was unlawful.

In its decision, the authority cited 26 main deviations from the scheme originally granted planning permission, including “visible design changes to the external appearance of the towers,” arguing that the towers looked “more solid and bulky because of the removal of the stepped back top floor and the glazed curtain wall facade” to one of the blocks.

The authority also cited visible changes to the materials and windows, a larger than approved footprint, “lower quality residential accommodation,” and “non-accessible ‘accessible apartments’ that have steps to the balconies so that wheelchair users cannot use their outdoor space.”

“The Mast Quay Phase II development had the potential to deliver hundreds of beautiful riverside apartments in an exciting area of London with a rich maritime past,” Councillor Aidan Smith from the authority noted. “Instead, what we have is a mutant development that is a blight on the landscape, local conservation zone, and heritage assets and views.”

“Furthermore, in light of these significant deviations, the council is considering imposing penalties on the responsible developer. The exact nature and scale of these penalties will be determined after a comprehensive review, but they could range from substantial financial charges to potential restrictions on future developments by the same developer in the borough. This is a clear message to all developers that they must strictly adhere to the permissions granted and the standards set by the planning authority," Councillor Aidan Smith added.

As reported by The Guardian, tenants in the build-to-rent scheme’s 204 apartments face the prospect of finding alternative accommodation. Meanwhile, The Architect’s Journal reports criticism by some in the industry that the carbon cost of demolishing the structurally sound development could have been mitigated by retrofitting.