Politics
Greenwich Council Advances 62 Affordable Flats Plan on Riefield Road
Eltham residents may gain new affordable housing options once three separate projects complete planning and construction stages.
How we reported this

Greenwich Council is advancing a plan for 62 new affordable flats on Riefield Road in Eltham, built at 65% of market rent levels to replace an existing social housing block. Sigma Homes has submitted a detailed application for 205 energy-efficient homes in New Eltham, with 103 designated as affordable for social rent or shared ownership. Pocket Living proposes building 58 affordable homes at the New Eltham Co-op car park, sold at a 20% discount exclusively to local first-time buyers.
These proposals represent the main current housing policy developments affecting Eltham. Each project remains at different stages, with one advanced by the council and the others submitted or proposed by developers. Residents seeking lower-cost housing may see changes only after approvals, construction and allocation processes finish.
Stages of the Three Projects
The Riefield Road scheme replaces an existing social housing block with units rented at 65% of market levels. The Sigma Homes application covers 205 homes total in New Eltham, half of them affordable. The Pocket Living proposal targets 58 homes for local first-time buyers at the New Eltham Co-op car park site with a 20% price discount.
Greenwich Planning Board recently approved the red. No completion dates or construction start dates appear in the available records for any of the three projects.
What Residents Can Expect
Local residents on housing registers or seeking affordable options could eventually access the new units once built. The Riefield Road flats would serve people eligible for social housing at reduced rents. The Sigma Homes units would include social rent and shared ownership places. The Pocket Living homes would be restricted to local first-time buyers at the discounted price.
Impacts on daily costs or availability will depend on how many units are allocated to current Eltham households and when they become ready for occupation. Forward-looking claims remain limited to what the government and applicants have stated about the projects.
References Sourced but Not Limited to:
- nillumbik.vic.gov.au · Fn.01320 attachments 1 3 nillumbik housing strategy discussion paper...
- theguardian.com · Melbourne eltham townhouse proposal environmentally conscious
- vprs.com.au · Vcat volume 11 no 10
- sigmahomesgroup.co.uk · Sigma submits detailed planning application in greenwich following...
- echelonplanning.com.au · Planning approval granted for eltham brougham street cohousing project
- pocketliving.com · 03 Pocket New Eltham Brochure 625436e58af80
- elthammatters.co.uk · All change in eltham town centre but does labour care