New 258 Home Neighbourhood Proposed for Long Vacant Blackheath Sports Ground

A long unused sports ground in Blackheath could soon be transformed into a large residential neighbourhood, as developer Derreb Limited unveils plans to build 258 new homes on the former Huntsman Sports Club site. The land, which has remained vacant since 1998, sits off Moorehead Way on the edge of the Cator Estate, just south of Blackheath Village.

The 5.4 acre site has been highlighted for housing in both Greenwich Council’s local development framework and the wider London Plan, reflecting ongoing pressure to deliver new homes across the capital. Derreb Limited has launched an initial public consultation to gather feedback before submitting a full planning application to Greenwich Council later this year.

This is not the first attempt to redevelop the former sports club. Since 2008, four separate housing proposals have been put forward, with the most recent scheme for 130 homes reaching appeal stage before being rejected in 2016. That proposal was dismissed largely due to concerns over the level of affordable housing being offered.

Learning from previous refusals, Derreb has stated that affordability will be a key part of its latest application. The developer says it will submit a full viability assessment to determine how many affordable homes can realistically be delivered. These homes could be provided directly within the development or through a financial contribution to the council to support offsite affordable housing projects.

The current proposal includes a mix of apartments and houses designed to appeal to a broad range of residents. Of the 258 homes planned, 238 would be apartments and 20 would be houses. Most of the properties would be one or two bedroom homes, alongside a smaller number of three and four bedroom family units. Thirty three homes would be fully wheelchair accessible, reflecting a focus on inclusive design.

In addition to housing, the scheme includes shared amenities such as landscaped green spaces, tree lined streets, private gardens and a large indoor community facility for residents. Transport considerations have also been factored in, with plans for 490 cycle parking spaces and 95 car parking spaces to support sustainable travel.

One of the more complex aspects of the site involves a legal covenant dating back to 1956, which restricts development to detached houses only. Derreb acknowledges this constraint but argues that delivering only detached homes would fall far short of housing targets set by both local and London wide planning policies. To address this, detached houses are proposed along the northern and western edges of the site, where it borders the Blackheath Conservation Area, helping preserve the area’s character.

Apartment buildings closest to the conservation boundary are intended to be designed in a style resembling large detached homes rather than conventional flat blocks. Public consultation events are scheduled to take place online, allowing residents and stakeholders to review the plans and submit feedback before the application progresses.