About the proposals

The site

The site of the proposed Moorhead Way development is the former Huntsman Sports Ground. This is an open space of 4.8 acres. This is based on the Local Plan saying it is 1.95 hectares. It forms part of the tranquil Cator Estate in Blackheath. The estate as a whole is currently an extremely low traffic area, largely characterised by detached houses. The Huntsman Sports Ground is adjacent to the Blackheath Park Conservation Area, and is within the setting of Grade II listed Manor Way. It is currently accessed at its northwest corner where Brooklands Park and Manor Way meet - an extremely narrow 90 degree corner with no visibility.

The proposals

In February, the developer that owns the land, Derreb Ltd, hosted an online meeting setting out its new plans for development on the Huntsman site. There was no opportunity for discussion at the online meeting, and only a very short period during which Derreb would accept comments on its proposals.

Whilst no planning application has been formally submitted, the proposal includes 238 multi-storey flats and 20 houses on 4.8 acres. This would be in stark contrast to its setting, with large detached houses on Weigall Road on the southern edge of the site, and the wider Cator estate to its north and west, which extends across 282 acres, with only around 1,500 dwellings. The developer also set out plans for access to and from the development via the Cator Estate, which goes against an explicit ruling of the High Court in 2017 and also contravenes the Royal Borough of Greenwich's draft Local Plan.

Read more about why we believe that the proposals are unsuitable for the site. Why object?