Developer, Acorn has submitted plans to build 45 new homes on the Blackheath Station car park site which would consist of 20 terraced homes and 25 flats as part of two blocks that would be five storeys and four storeys tall.
Under the plans the car park, which consists of 162 spaces, would be reduced to just 17 while the development itself would deliver 21.3per cent ‘affordable’ housing by habitable room.
Acorn told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that its proposals are an opportunity to unlock the site’s “development potential”.
Acorn said in a statement: “Through sensitive heritage-led design and a highly sustainable redevelopment approach, the proposals are wholly in line with national, London and local planning policies that promote increased housing supply in response to the urgent need for new homes.”
However the proposals have been met with strong opposition from locals, who fear the plans will harm the Blackheath Conservation Area, which was the first one to be formed in London in 1968.
Campaigners also said the scale and design of the buildings “show no regard” for the surrounding area and would overshadow the existing terraces on Collins Street.
Olly Payne, a lifelong Blackheath resident, said: “No one is against housing and no one is against some type of development, we understand that there’s open space and people try to build on open spaces so all of that has been understood but what we’re really objecting to is this particular application.
“Blackheath is one of London’s oldest conservation areas and this is just completely out of keeping with anything else within the vicinity.
“It’s enormous, you’ve got this big five storey block so there’s a problem with the massing and scale of the development.”
He added: “This is just going to have a huge impact on the area, it’s going to set a terrible precedent in terms of future development and you think people are being precious about the area, but it’s a conservation area and if you’re developing in conservation areas, you’re meant to respect them. There’s a reason why we have them.
“Conservation areas are important, otherwise everything becomes a high-rise, you lose the character.
“Blackheath is known for being a characterful area that people love and you can see that by the reaction that we’ve had to this development.”
The reduction in car parking spaces could have an impact on the footfall which it brings to local businesses within Blackheath Village, while campaigners said there is uncertainty around the future of the Blackheath Farmers’ Market, which operates in the car park every Sunday.
Mark Handley, the Director at London Farmers Market said in a statement that the proposals offer the market a “much improved and viable new home” with additional facilities in a purpose-built market location however Olly said there’s a “huge number of people” who don’t agree with the market proposals being viable.
According to Lewisham Council’s online planning portal, the proposals have received 653 comments from members of the public, while 633 objections have been recorded with just 14 in support.
Several celebrities and high-profile public figures with personal links to the area have signed an open letter against Acorn’s plans, including Hollywood actors, Jude Law and Dominic Cooper and Dame Joan Ruddock, who served as Lewisham Deptford’s Labour MP for 28 years.
Jude Law said in a statement: “I grew up in Blackheath.
“My junior school was across from the site where this proposed development will take place.
“This plan does not answer housing needs.
“Instead this plan will enforce a strain on a wonderful old village that deserves our protection.”
Chris Difford from the band, Squeeze, which was formed locally, said: “This is heartbreaking – Blackheath has a skyline that is already suffocated by the horizon of Canary Wharf and the buildings in neighbouring Lewisham.
“We must respect the beauty and freedom that the sky provides around Blackheath Village and say no to this new development.”
During a public meeting which took place last month (July 3), local businesses hit out at Acorn for not consulting with them about the plans.
Olly, who was at the meeting, said: “Eventually Acorn said they put some flyers through doors and we had a little pop-up stall through the market.
“That was kind of their definition of a meaningful consultation with businesses. So the businesses are very much against this too.”
In response, Acorn said: “The pre-application process was accompanied and informed by engagement [via in-person events, as well as online] with local residents, businesses and stakeholders including the Blackheath Society – and the team continue to welcome comments and enquiries from interested residents and businesses throughout the planning process.
“The proposed development will deliver 45 high-quality sustainable homes, including much needed, entirely social-rented, family sized affordable housing, re-provision and enhancement of the farmers market and a substantial number of public benefits prioritising a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable development that supports both residents and the natural environment.”
A spokesperson for the Blackheath Society told the LDRS: “We in the Blackheath Society are not opposed in principle to development on the Station Car Park site.
“However, we strongly object to the current plans, which we believe represent overdevelopment; unnecessarily compromise the amenity of neighbouring residents; are of poor and unacceptable design; and risk undermining the economic viability of Blackheath Village.”
They added: “We are working closely with local residents and businesses to provide Lewisham planning officers with further evidence to strengthen our earlier objection and to address the serious issues raised during the public consultation meeting held on July 3.”
A spokesperson for Lewisham Council said they cannot comment due to it being a live planning application, however the final decision will rest with the Strategic Planning Committee – which is expected this autumn.
