Demolition of community hall has Blackheath residents up in arms
By Cameron Blackshaw, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents of a Blackheath cul-de-sac are furious and saddened over the loss of their community hall, with some likening the effects of its demolition to an earthquake.
Greenwich council approved plans last year to demolish the community hall and its associated playground in Richmount Gardens and replace it with six two-storey, three-bedroom council houses and a new children’s play area. The collection of houses that surround the small green is part of the Brooklands Park Estate that was built in the 1950s.
Richmount residents were vehemently against the council’s proposal, launching a campaign to save the hall and registering 98 objections to the planning application. But, Greenwich council approved the plans in order to deliver more council homes during the current housing crisis.
Work on the site—which is being carried out by Helix Construct Limited—began two weeks ago, and residents have complained that dust from the demolition has exacerbated health problems and covered cars, forcing them to clean them every two or three days.
There have also been reports of vibrating windows, mirrors and pictures falling off walls and residents not being able to sit in their front rooms because of the noise.
Tracey Byrne, who lives in Richmount with her family, claims she’s now unable to close some of her windows due to the vibrations caused by the demolition. She said: “It’s literally like the house was in an earthquake. It was shaking so much. I don’t know what they were trying to get through but it was pretty horrific.
“I think it’s crazy that on a green where there was a playground and a community room that was here for some odd years; they didn’t need to do it. And then to build six houses and a playground; it’s just kind of nonsense.
“Six houses isn’t going to make a huge difference in the housing crisis. It wouldn’t have mattered if there was a mass murder grave out there. They would have built on it.”
Richmount residents did put pressure on the council to retain an oak tree which has remained in situ, but many still fear it might be cut down due to its proximity to where the new homes will be built.
In response to the tree concerns, a Greenwich council spokesman guaranteed said: “The mature trees and green areas to the north-west and south-east of site will be left untouched.”
Zahida Syed has lived in Richmount Gardens for 30 years and is now considering selling her home. She said: “It is just ridiculous. There is nothing now we can do. We did the petition. We did everything. We complained. We went to the planning committee.
“They could have left the community hall there. We were using it really regularly. My daughter, who was only four when we moved in, her birthday party every year was there. She used to do her ballet, her tap dancing, all that took place there.
“The children used the park every day after school. It was a safe place. Kitchens are in the front and the mothers would watch the children playing.”
Zahida claims to have noticed cracks within her home since the “shaking” she says was caused by the demolition, and she fears that her property could have suffered structural damage.
Patrick Daly, who has lived there for 30 years, said the demolition was “booming” through his property. He said: “Many residents here objected to all of this and that just fell on completely deaf ears. Words don’t get close to how angry we are.”
In response to the frustration of residents, Greenwich council stated the six homes are “much needed” to meet the borough’s housing needs, and also that the community hall “has been out of use for years”.
A council spokesperson said: “The council is committed to making sure new development delivers positive change for new and existing communities.
“There are more than 27,000 households on our housing register, and we believe everyone should have access to a safe and secure home that meets their needs. That’s why we’re delivering over 1,750 new homes, the most new council housing in a generation.
“At Richmount Gardens, we are building six much-needed zero carbon council homes for local families on our housing register. We carried out an extensive consultation with local residents and made a number of changes following their feedback.
“The empty community hall would have required extensive repair. New council homes will benefit the borough for generations to come, and as part of this process we’ve saved a historic William Mitchell mural, which is currently undergoing restoration work.”
Helix Construct Limited were also approached for comment but they didn’t provide a response.
Pictured top: The community hall demolition site in Richmount Gardens in Blackheath (Picture: Cameron Blackshaw)
