A row of terraced houses and two blocks of flats could be built on Blackheath station’s car park – but the farmers’ market would stay, developers have pledged.

Network Rail plans to sell the car park to Acorn Property Group, which hopes to build 20 three-bedroom houses between the station platform and Collins Street, along with a five-storey, 20-flat “mansion block” opposite John Ball primary school.

There would also be a four-storey “market building” closer to Blackheath Village, with five flats above a commercial unit on the ground floor, facing a “market square”.

The market would be able to accommodate 40 pitches with nine parking spaces, with Acorn promising additional services for stallholders and room to expand.

Designers render
Maket stalls would extend into a “mews” behind the houses. Image: Acorn Property Group/ John Pardey Architects/ Matthew Wigan Associates
The developers' render
The view along Collins Street. Image: Acorn Property Group/ John Pardey Architects/ Matthew Wigan Associates
Developers' render
The “mansion block” from Baizdon Street. Image: Acorn Property Group/ John Pardey Architects/ Matthew Wigan Associates

Across the 45 new homes, eight would be available for people on Lewisham’s housing waiting list. This is stated as 21.3 per cent “affordable” housing as Lewisham counts this by room rather than individual home, as Greenwich does. The other homes would be sold privately.

Acorn said that the plans would create “an attractive place to live, work and play” that would create “a new public square and enhances the farmers’  market”, as well as keeping access for families walking to John Ball school.

A play area would also be created and the developer says it has worked with Southeastern so large crowds can still be accommodated in the area for the London Marathon.

There have been negotiations about the scheme for four years, and an earlier proposal featured plans for 54 homes. Acorn Property Group’s head office is in Crouch End, north London, and the company is not related to the SE London estate agent of the same name.

The car park with station signage to the left
Network Rail plans to sell the car park. Image: The Greenwich Wire
Empty rear of car park
A row of terraced houses would be built. Image: The Greenwich Wire

While modest by the standards of its neighbouring areas, the development would be the largest ever in Blackheath Village and has caused “widespread concern”, according to the Blackheath Society. 

Earlier this month, before the final plans had been seen, the society said in its newsletter that “while we do not oppose the idea of developing what is now an underused asset in the village, any project has to preserve and enhance the village and the conservation area, its character and economic life”. It also had concerns about the future of the farmers’ market and how it would be accommodated during construction.

Documents are on the Lewisham planning website, with comments to be submitted by April 30.

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