Residents in a cozy cul-de-sac in Blackheath are pretty upset about losing their community hall, comparing it to a literal earthquake. Like, imagine waking up to your house shaking like a Polaroid picture. Greenwich council gave the thumbs up to demolish the hall in Richmount Gardens and swap it out for six new council houses and a playground. The old hall was part of the Brooklands Park Estate, a real blast from the past built in the 1950s.
People living in Richmount weren’t too thrilled about the council’s grand plan. They even started a whole campaign to save the hall and got nearly a hundred objections on the planning application. But, the council went ahead with it anyway, all in the name of tackling the housing crisis. Now, construction work by Helix Construct Limited has kicked off, with residents feeling the vibrations of their homes being shaken to the core. Dust from the demolition is everywhere, covering cars and causing health issues. It’s a real mess.
Tracey Byrne, a resident in Richmount, is struggling to close her windows because of all the shaking. She’s like, “Whoa, my house is going through some serious stuff.” She’s not alone in her frustration. Zahida Syed, who’s been in the neighborhood for 30 years, is thinking about selling her place. She’s like, “This is just too much. We tried everything to stop this madness. They could’ve just left the community hall alone. We used it all the time for birthdays and dance classes. The kids played in the park every day. It was a safe spot for everyone.”
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.” So, at least they’re sparing some greenery. Despite residents’ anger, the council is standing firm on their decision, saying the new homes are crucial for the housing needs of the area. The community hall might’ve been out of commission for a while, but hey, they’re saving a historic mural, so that’s something. At the end of the day, the neighborhood is divided, with some seeing the new homes as progress and others feeling like they’ve lost a piece of their community.
