Part of east Greenwich’s historic gas-holder will be saved from demolition following a public campaign, a councillor has said.

‘Jumbo’ in Millennium Way has been under threat from developers since a prior approval for its demolition was granted earlier this year.

A petition to save the 130-year-old structure was set up based on reworking it into a new development, to keep the symbolism of Greenwich’s industrial history on the skyline.

Councillor Sizwe James, the cabinet member for regeneration, wrote in reply to Cllr Nigel Fletcher that SGN – the firm behind the proposed demolition – will keep part of it.

“As you are aware a walkabout of the site took place in November with

myself, SGN and community representations,” Cllr James said.

MORE - Greenwich gasholder: Hundreds sign petition to save structure

“I am pleased to say that SGN has agreed to retain some of the structure for use in any future development/public realm scheme.

“A meeting has been organised in January with SGN, myself, officers and community representatives to take this forward.”

Cllr Fletcher asked for more detail about what and how the structure would be retained.

He said at a council meeting last night: “As he mentions we did go on a site visit the other week, and I was disappointed to hear from the head of demolition that they are setting time-scales and that they feel it can’t be disassembled in a straightforward way and would have to be cut up.

“Can you give any more details, are we talking about a substantial part of it because I got the impression we were talking about a few struts that would be put in a reception.

“That’s not what people were thinking, can you get us more detail on the levels we are talking?”

Cllr James said: “We would like to see as much as possible.

Gas holder.PNG Gas holder.PNG

“I suggest you talk to the community representatives when we meet in January.”

Redundant gas-holders elsewhere in the country have been re-purposed to fit into developments.

In Kings Cross, one was renovated into houses, and elsewhere into a park.

SGN say it is sustainable to keep the structures in a safe and visually acceptable condition, but “understands that these are iconic structures” to many people.