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London Borough of Bexley is developing an Urban Regeneration Framework (URF) for Abbey Wood which is a joint initiative with Royal Borough of Greenwich. The URF will guide future development in Abbey Wood and is inviting residents, businesses and local organisations to tell us what matters most to them and will set out a clear shared vision for how Abbey Wood should grow and improve.

About Abbey Wood

Abbey Wood is characterised by its distinctive green setting, ancient woodland, scheduled monuments, and proximity to the River Thames and surrounding marshes. The opening of the Elizabeth line in May 2022 has significantly improved connectivity to and from the area, reducing journey times to central London and creating new long-term opportunities for residents, businesses and organisations.

Abbey Wood Village

At the same time, the development of thousands of new homes in Thamesmead - alongside new community facilities, services, shops and employment opportunities - brings further potential benefits for local communities.

Against this backdrop, the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Bexley have partnered to develop an Urban Regeneration Framework (URF) for Abbey Wood. The purpose of the Abbey Wood URF is to provide a joined-up, long-term blueprint for regeneration and improvement over the next ten years. The framework will be collaborative and partnership-focused, shaped by engagement with local communities and stakeholders to ensure proposals respond to the specific needs of the area.

What is the Abbey Wood Urban Regeneration Framework?

Urban Regeneration Frameworks (URFs) identify opportunities and challenges within an area and set out coordinated approaches to development and investment to support long-term success.

Bexley and Greenwich Councils have commissioned specialist design teams to develop URFs for three distinct areas: Abbey Wood, Plumstead and Woolwich. Each URF will be produced through engagement with residents, businesses, community groups, landowners and other key stakeholders. The frameworks aim to capture local priorities and ambitions, champion inclusive growth, and reflect the unique identities of each place.

The Abbey Wood URF will:

  • identify key challenges and opportunities facing the area
  • set out a shared vision for change over the next ten years
  • provide a coordinated framework for development, public realm improvements and investment

The URF will be shaped through engagement with residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders to ensure proposals respond to local needs and priorities.

The Abbey Wood Urban Regeneration Framework study area map

Abbey Wood Urban Regeneration Map
The map (available to download below) illustrates the Abbey Wood URF study area. This includes residential areas in both London Borough of Bexley and Royal Borough of Greenwich and transport hubs such as the Elizabeth Line and the proposed Docklands Light Railway extension alongside east-west and north-south movement routes.

The map also highlights the local network of community hubs such as schools or religious spaces and green spaces including allotments, the Ridgeway and Lesnes Abbey.

Downloadable versions of the map

Download a PDF version of the map
Download a PNG version of the map

If you require any help or further assistance with either download, please email Placemaking@bexley.gov.uk.

What will the URF deliver?

The URF will provide the following information:

  • Evidence Base – analysis of the area’s communities, character, challenges and opportunities
  • Vision – a shared, place-specific vision for growth and improvement
  • Framework – identification of priority sites, public realm opportunities and other interventions to support regeneration and good growth

Once finalised, the Abbey Wood URF will help guide future decisions and investment in the area ensuring development contributes positively to the area. It will provide clarity for organisations looking to invest in Abbey Wood and support joined-up improvements that benefit the local community. It will also help shape Bexley’s next Local Plan.

How can I shape regeneration in Abbey Wood?

Bexley Council is working to deliver further improvements in Abbey Wood that will benefit residents and businesses. Having previously supported and secured new investments and regeneration that led to the opening of the Elizabeth line and new housing and shops in Abbey Wood Village we want to hear from the local community about what they would like to see over the next decade.

The views of local people and businesses will shape an Urban Regeneration Framework (URF) for the area.  This will set out a clear shared vision for how Abbey Wood should grow and improve over the next ten years.

Why are we seeking feedback now?

We are at an early stage of developing the Abbey Wood URF. This is the right time to gather local views so that community priorities and concerns can help shape the framework from the outset

You can tell us what you would like to see in Abbey Wood over the next ten years by completing the online survey.

Have your say on the survey

This engagement is open until midnight Tuesday 24 March 2026.

If you have questions regarding the URF, you can also get in touch with the Council via email Placemaking@bexley.gov.uk.

Abbey Wood engagement events

Cygnet Square in Thamesmead

Abbey Wood URF Workshop: Wednesday 18 March, 6pm to 8.30 pm at The Nest Community Centre, Cygnet Square, SE2 9UH

We want to hear your views, experiences and local knowledge.

Find out more about the event

Abbey Wood Community Centre

Abbey Wood URF Workshop: Saturday 21 March, 11am to 1.30 pm at Abbey Wood Community Centre, 4 Knee Hill, SE2 0YS

We want to hear your views, experiences and local knowledge.

Find out more about the event

Working in partnership

London Borough of Bexley logo

Royal Borough of Bexley logo