Blackheath Station Car Park Housing Plans Deferred Amid Celebrity and Local Opposition
Controversial plans to construct new housing on the car park at Blackheath station have been put on hold after Lewisham Council requested stronger evidence regarding the potential impact on the local economy. The decision came at the end of a four-hour meeting with the council's Planning Committee, where councillors concluded they lacked sufficient information to make a fully informed decision.
Significant Public Opposition and Celebrity Backlash
The proposals, which would see 45 new homes built on the site, had attracted substantial opposition from the community. A total of 1,202 formal objections were lodged against the development, with only 30 comments in support and 12 neutral submissions. The plans had drawn criticism from high-profile figures including Hollywood actors Jude Law and Dominic Cooper, alongside numerous local public figures who spoke out against the scheme.
Dominic Cooper, who grew up in Blackheath and starred in productions such as Mamma Mia and The History Boys, emphasised that local objectors were not anti-development but were instead demanding development that is fair, responsible, and puts local people at the heart of decision-making. He warned that proceeding with a proposal of this scale, which provides minimal social and affordable housing while prioritising developer profit, would represent a devastating betrayal of the electorate.
Development Details and Community Concerns
The proposed development would consist of 20 terraced homes and 25 flats arranged in four-storey and five-storey blocks respectively. The current car park, which provides 162 spaces, would be reduced to just 17 spaces under the plans, with two designated as disabled parking bays.
Community concerns focused on several key areas:
- Affordable housing provision: Only eight homes would be offered at social rent, equating to 21.3% affordable housing by habitable room. This falls significantly below Lewisham Council's strategic target of 50% affordable housing for developments with ten or more homes.
- Impact on local businesses: Objectors raised serious concerns about the effect that reduced parking would have on local business footfall and viability.
- Future of Blackheath Farmers' Market: Uncertainty surrounds the temporary relocation of the popular Sunday market during construction, with no suitable alternative location yet identified.
- Environmental and residential impact: Residents expressed worries about loss of light, the scale of development, and potential disturbance from construction work affecting a local school.
Council Deliberations and Deferral Decision
During the planning meeting, protesters gathered outside Lewisham Town Hall with placards declaring Blackheath deserves better and chanting save our village. Inside, councillors heard extensive representations from both opponents and supporters of the scheme.
Developer Acorn Property Group argued that their scheme would bring substantial public benefits that outweigh the low level of harm identified. Their representative, Jacqui Macqueen, emphasised the integration of renewable energy, solar shading to prevent overheating, and biodiversity-led landscaping as key sustainable design principles.
However, local ward councillors expressed significant reservations. Councillor Luke Warner stated that while they didn't oppose development in principle, they were not convinced this is the right scheme. Councillor Amanda De Ryk highlighted concerns about the proposed permanent market location, suggesting the layout could create future problems with noise, access, and disturbance for new residents.
Following a brief adjournment during which councillors sought legal advice, the committee unanimously agreed to defer the application. Councillor James Rathbone proposed the deferral, requesting additional information including:
- A comprehensive parking survey to be conducted on peak commercial days
- A detailed report on commercial activity in Blackheath Village and the potential impact of the proposals
- More thorough documentation regarding market operation and access arrangements, including emergency service provisions
Broader Implications and Next Steps
The deferral represents a significant victory for community campaigners who had mobilised substantial opposition to the development plans. A Lewisham Council spokesperson explained that deferring the application ensures residents' concerns can be properly considered and any decision is taken with a full understanding of the likely effects on local businesses and the wider area.
Local business representatives expressed relief at the decision, with Nick Ellis from Ellis Butchers warning that uncertainty about the farmers' market relocation represented a serious problem that could threaten the survival of independent businesses in the area. Adam Oliver, a Blackheath Society Trustee, described the site as a jewel in Lewisham's crown and argued that the current proposal neither enhances nor protects the conservation area.
The development now enters a period of further scrutiny, with Acorn Property Group required to provide additional evidence addressing the committee's concerns before the application can be reconsidered. The decision highlights the growing tension between housing development pressures and community preservation in London's suburban villages, particularly when high-profile figures lend their voices to local campaigns.
