Jude Law is leading the charge of A-list celebrities opposing a plan for 45 new homes on a train station car park in a ‘wonderful old village’.
Hundreds of residents in the quaint suburban village of Blackheath in south-east London are up in arms over the proposals, which they think are too large and ‘out of keeping’ for the area.
The furious locals also fear the plans will harm the Blackheath Conservation Area, which was the first one to be formed in London in 1968.
Hollywood heartthrob Jude Law has led other famous faces against the ‘heartbreaking’ plan – including Marvel actor Dominic Cooper and musician Chris Difford – by signing an open letter.
Law penned in a statement: ‘I grew up in Blackheath. My junior school was across from the site where this proposed development will take place.
‘This plan does not answer housing needs. Instead this plan will enforce a strain on a wonderful old village that deserves our protection.’
Difford from the band Squeeze, which was formed locally, said: ‘This is heartbreaking – Blackheath has a skyline that is already suffocated by the horizon of Canary Wharf and the buildings in neighbouring Lewisham.
‘We must respect the beauty and freedom that the sky provides around Blackheath Village and say no to this new development.’
Blackheath Station car park could be replaced by 45 new houses which would consist of 20 terraced homes and 25 flats as part of two blocks that would be five and four storeys tall.
Under the plans by developer Acorn, the site’s 162 spaces will be axed to just 17.
Residents say this could have an impact on the footfall which it brings to local businesses within the village, as well as uncertainty around the future of the farmers’ market which operates in the car park every Sunday.
Olly Payne, a lifelong Blackheath resident, told News Shopper: ‘Blackheath is one of London’s oldest conservation areas and this is just completely out of keeping with anything else within the vicinity.
‘It’s enormous, you’ve got this big five storey block so there’s a problem with the massing and scale of the development.’
‘This is just going to have a huge impact on the area, it’s going to set a terrible precedent in terms of future development and you think people are being precious about the area, but it’s a conservation area and if you’re developing in conservation areas, you’re meant to respect them. There’s a reason why we have them.’
The proposals have only received 14 comments of support – in comparison to a damning 633 objections.
Local businesses hit out at the developers for not holding a proper consultation about the plans, claiming all that was done were flyers through doors and a small pop-up stall through the market.
In response, Acorn said: ‘The pre-application process was accompanied and informed by engagement [via in-person events, as well as online] with local residents, businesses and stakeholders including the Blackheath Society – and the team continue to welcome comments and enquiries from interested residents and businesses throughout the planning process.
‘The proposed development will deliver 45 high-quality sustainable homes, including much needed, entirely social-rented, family sized affordable housing, re-provision and enhancement of the farmers market and a substantial number of public benefits prioritising a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable development that supports both residents and the natural environment.’
A spokesperson for Lewisham Council said they cannot comment due to it being a live planning application.
The final decision will rest with the Strategic Planning Committee, which is expected this autumn.
It follows Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch, who has joined a neighbourhood bid to block plans for a new £5.6million six-storey block of flats in north London.
This is along with Labour minister Ed Miliband’s wife Justine Thornton, despite his vow to take on ‘nimbys’.
The Oscar-nominated actor is among residents in Dartmouth Park urging Camden Council to reject current proposals to transform an existing property called Lamorna.
Cumberbatch, 48, raised concerns about the planned replacement of the two-storey, redbrick 1930s property currently standing in the district not far from Hampstead Heath.
The actor, whose films include The Imitation Game and The Power Of The Dog, has a home in the area with his theatre director wife Sophie Hunter.
A report by BPS Chartered Surveyors for the council estimated the planned six new flats would range from £700,000 to £1.4million each.
Cumberbatch’s submission states: ‘Approval would set a precedent. For example, could I now demolish my property and replace it with flats and not require the same extensive planning approval?
‘Or worse, the properties located behind this proposal could apply to be demolished with an even bigger property that this proposal is being submitted to form a mega development.’
He and his wife provided a letter arguing the new-look building would be out of keeping with Dartmouth Park’s heritage.
They added: ‘You only have to look at the adjacent properties to see the difference in style, materials, colours and feel.’
Firms behind the planning application describe it on their website as ‘an exciting new residential development’.