Plan for Greenwich music events at the Old Naval College submitted

Image courtesy Labyrinth. Render of stage in planning application.

An application has been submitted for a proposed series of music concerts to be held at the Old Royal Naval College this summer.

Labyrinth are set to host a number of events this summer following its debut last year with Moby, The Kooks, Overmono and Peggy Gou among those to perform.

Whilst this may be the second time for Labyrinth music events have been held each summer on site for some time. This new application covers this year’s layout and stage appearance.

It’s Design and Access Statement includes images from prior years and it’s interesting to note how stage design has evolved.

There’s much more focus on the backdrop now than in some previous events.

Its a move that makes perfect sense given the dramatic backdrop behind performing artists.

Lighting

Lighting this year is by High Scream who are “an internationally recognised production company experienced in delivering architecturally sensitive productions within major heritage settings.

“Their recent projects include historic sites such as Théâtre Antique d’Orange and the United at Home production at The Louvre Museum, both UNESCO listed sites. They have also produced major cultural events, such as the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

In terms of getting there Cutty Sark DLR and Maze Hill served by Thameslink and Southeastern Metro are the closest.

Stations

I’ve never felt National Rail promote Maze Hill station enough for its access to Greenwich. It’s by far the closet station to Greenwich Park, the Queen’s House and Maritime Museum. From central London it’s only 10 minutes from London Bridge. Much quicker than the DLR from Zone 1.

Heading into the realms of “it won’t happen but would benefit the railways” perhaps a good idea for Southeastern, Thameslink or a future Great British Railways would be to rename Maze Hill as Greenwich Park station to simply shine a bigger light on the station and where it serves, getting more passengers on rail and generating additional revenue.

It’s also less hassle getting from Maze Hill compered to, say, Cutty Sark DLR as there’s no stairs, escalators or lifts to ascend then battling through narrow and cramped paths. A lot less stress when with kids for example.

Despite the site’s proximity to Maze Hill station, the application states Greenwich station will be the main station for travel. Which is true but should Maze Hill could be promoted to a greater extent.

Foot tunnel

The application also states that “The Greenwich Foot Tunnel is an attractive option for attendees living locally on the north side of the river. It is estimated that up to 500 people per night utilised this route in 2025.”

Let’s hope those troublesome lifts are working as one lift has only been working 31 per cent of the time over the past month according to Greenwich Council’s tracking website.

The state of the tunnel also leaves something to be desired. For the past two weeks vomit has been left to fester in the tunnel showing how poor cleaning is of the key route to a World Heritage Zone site.

The Escalate Now campaign group who fought and secured escalator improvements at Cutty Sark DLR station state the tunnels are cleaned once a month.

Still, this is better than Woolwich foot tunnel where one lift hasn’t worked since 21 August 2022 and has recently had a pigeon infestation. So for those with mobility issues there was no lift and handrails covered in pigeon droppings. All round pretty awful for active travel.

Anyway, back to the music events are the first is set to take place on Friday 31st July and the last on Sunday 16th. If going do check the status of lifts at the foot tunnel and try Maze Hill station for a less stressful experience (probably).