A close-knit community in Blackheath has been left devastated following the demolition of a much-loved community hall, with residents claiming the disruption has shaken homes, cracked walls and smothered cars in dust.
The hall and its adjacent playground at Richmount Gardens, part of the 1950s-built Brooklands Park Estate, have been razed to make way for six new council homes. The plans—approved by Greenwich Council last year—promise two-storey, three-bedroom homes with rear gardens and a new play area.
But for many in the cul-de-sac, it’s not just bricks and mortar that have been lost—it’s the heart of their neighbourhood.
Residents mounted a strong campaign to save the hall, submitting 98 objections to the council’s planning proposal. Despite the backlash, Greenwich Council greenlit the project, citing the urgent need for affordable housing.
Construction work, carried out by Helix Construct Limited, began two weeks ago, and the impact was felt immediately.
Those living just metres from the demolition site report chaos. Fine dust has blanketed vehicles, while intense vibrations have left windows rattling and home décor falling from walls.
Tracey Byrne, a resident of Richmount Gardens, described the experience in visceral terms: “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.”
She also criticised the council’s decision to bulldoze the green space for such a small number of homes: “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.”
Tracey mourned the loss of a cherished cherry blossom tree that was felled to make way for the development. Although an oak tree was saved following public pressure, residents remain uneasy about its future.
Zahida Syed, who has lived in the area for three decades, says the demolition has left her disheartened enough to consider selling up.
“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],” she said.
The hall, she recalled, was a hub for birthday parties, ballet classes and daily playtime. Her house now bears cracks she blames on the demolition works.
Another resident, Roxanne Mussa, echoed the emotional toll. “They have crushed the community. They have just not listened to a word we have had to say about this,” she said.
“The kids would all be there. The parents would be sitting out there. One would be making tea, one would bring out cakes, one would bring out a bottle of wine… We used to go and wheel the elderly people [out there]. They used to get so much pleasure out of it.”
She also voiced concern over the estate’s already struggling water pressure, which she fears will worsen with the new homes.
Patrick Daly, another long-standing resident, said the demolition noises “boomed” through his property.
“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,” he said.
In response to the uproar, Greenwich Council defended the development as essential to tackling the housing crisis.
A council spokesperson said: “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.”
They added that the Richmount Gardens scheme will deliver six “zero carbon” council homes for local families and confirmed that extensive consultation was undertaken.
Addressing concerns over green space, the spokesperson stated: “The mature trees and green areas to the north-west and south-east of site will be left untouched.”
They also noted that the unused community hall had fallen into disrepair and highlighted the preservation of a historic William Mitchell mural, which is being restored and relocated to nearby Brooklands Primary School. Despite multiple requests, Helix Construct Limited declined to comment.
