Derreb’s 258 Homes Plan for Blackheath’s Huntsman Site Revealed

Key Points

• Developer Derreb Limited has unveiled plans for the Moorehead Way project on the 5.4-acre former Huntsman Sports Club site in Blackheath.
• The site has stood empty since 1998 and is located at the south-eastern corner of the Cator Estate, south of Blackheath Village.
• The proposal includes 258 homes: 238 apartments and 20 houses, with 149 two-bedroom units, 61 one-bedroom apartments, and 46 units in a mix of three- and four-bedroom homes.
• 33 units will be fully wheelchair accessible.
• Plans feature 490 cycle parking spaces, 95 car parking spaces, communal green areas, tree-lined streets, private gardens, and a large indoor community space for residents.
• The site is identified in Greenwich Council’s local plan and the London Plan as suitable for residential development.
• Four previous planning applications for homes on the site since 2008 failed, with the latest 130-unit scheme dismissed on appeal in November 2016 due to insufficient affordable housing.
• Derreb Limited states a viability assessment will determine affordable housing levels, provided on-site or via payment to the council for off-site delivery.
• Public feedback is being sought before a full planning application to Greenwich Council.

Blackheath (South London News) February 8, 2026 – Developer Derreb Limited has revealed ambitious plans to construct 258 homes on the long-vacant former Huntsman Sports Club site at Moorehead Way, seeking public input ahead of a formal planning application to Greenwich Council. The 5.4-acre plot, dormant since 1998, sits in the south-eastern corner of the Cator Estate, south of Blackheath Village, and aligns with designations in both Greenwich Council’s local plan and the London Plan for residential growth. This proposal marks the fifth attempt to redevelop the site since 2008, following previous refusals, including a 130-unit scheme dismissed on appeal in November 2016 for lacking adequate affordable housing.​

What Is the Moorehead Way Project?

The Moorehead Way project proposes a mix of 238 apartments and 20 houses, tailored to diverse housing needs. Breakdown shows 149 two-bedroom units, 61 one-bedroom apartments, and the remaining 46 homes comprising three- and four-bedroom options. Notably, 33 units are designed to be fully wheelchair accessible, emphasising inclusivity.​

Plans extend beyond residences to foster community living. They include 490 cycle parking spaces and 95 car parking spaces, promoting sustainable transport. Communal green areas, tree-lined streets, and private gardens aim to enhance the environment. A standout feature is a

“large indoor community space for all residents to use,”

intended as a hub for social interaction.​

As reported in the initial coverage by South London News, Derreb Limited unveiled these details to gather public feedback before submitting to Greenwich Council.​

Why Has the Site Remained Empty for So Long?

The Huntsman Sports Club site has lain idle since 1998, fuelling local speculation over its future. Spanning 5.4 acres, it occupies a strategic spot in Blackheath, identified for housing in official planning documents. Greenwich Council’s local plan and the London Plan both flag it as a prime development opportunity amid London’s housing shortage.​

Four prior applications since 2008 have faltered. The most recent, for 130 units, reached appeal but was dismissed in November 2016. The refusal hinged on insufficient affordable housing provision, a recurring sticking point. Earlier bids similarly failed to meet council criteria, leaving the land overgrown and underutilised.​

What Do Previous Planning Rejections Teach Us?

Historical rejections underscore Greenwich Council’s firm stance on affordable housing. The 2016 appeal dismissal for the 130-unit scheme cited inadequate affordable units as the core flaw. This pattern across four applications since 2008 highlights evolving standards in borough planning.​

Derreb Limited appears mindful of this legacy. In addressing affordable housing for the new 258-unit scheme, the developer stated:

“As part of the application process for our forthcoming 258-unit scheme, a viability assessment will be submitted which will assess what levels of affordable housing the development can feasibly provide.”

They added:

“Affordable homes will either be provided on-site or through a payment to the council’s offsite affordable housing delivery.”​

These comments, drawn directly from Derreb’s public announcement as covered by South London News, signal a proactive approach to past pitfalls.​

How Does This Fit Greenwich Council’s Local Plan?

The site’s inclusion in Greenwich Council’s local plan and the London Plan bolsters Derreb’s case. These frameworks prioritise residential expansion in areas like the Cator Estate to tackle housing demand. Blackheath’s location south of the village positions it well for growth without straining infrastructure unduly.​

Public consultation forms a key step, allowing residents to shape the application. Derreb aims to refine plans based on feedback before formal submission, potentially smoothing council approval.​

What Community Features Are Planned?

Sustainability and accessibility define the ancillary elements. With 490 cycle spaces dwarfing 95 car spaces, the design nudges towards greener commuting. Tree-lined streets and communal greens promise a pleasant public realm.​

Private gardens for houses add appeal for families, while the indoor community space could host events, classes, or meetings. Wheelchair-accessible units – 33 in total – address inclusivity needs in an ageing population.​

Who Is Derreb Limited and What Is Their Vision?

Derreb Limited, the project lead, positions Moorehead Way as a viable residential solution. By seeking early feedback, they demonstrate commitment to community alignment. The viability assessment on affordability will be pivotal, echoing lessons from 2016.​

No additional statements from Derreb executives were detailed in primary coverage, but their outlined approach – on-site units or off-site payments – adheres to standard policy.​

What Challenges Lie Ahead for Approval?

Affordability remains the elephant in the room. Past dismissals, particularly the 2016 appeal, turned on this issue. Derreb’s promised viability assessment must convince councillors of feasibility.​

Local opposition could emerge over loss of sports heritage or traffic concerns, despite the site’s 28-year vacancy. Greenwich Council will weigh these against housing targets in its local plan.​

Public feedback sessions will be crucial. Residents near the Cator Estate may voice preferences on density, parking, or greenspace.​

How Does This Impact Blackheath Residents?

For Blackheath, 258 homes could ease family housing pressures with two-, three-, and four-bedroom options. One-bedroom units suit singles or downsizers. Cycle-focused parking aligns with anti-car trends in south London.​

Yet, the shift from sports club to housing ends a chapter. Huntsman’s legacy, though faded since 1998, might stir nostalgia. Community space inclusion could mitigate this by recreating social facilities.​

What Is the Timeline for the Planning Application?

Derreb has not specified submission dates beyond “forthcoming,” prioritising feedback first. Processing by Greenwich Council typically spans months, including consultation and committee review. Appeal risks persist if refused, as in 2016.​

Residents should monitor council portals for updates. Early engagement could influence outcomes.​

Broader Context: Housing Pressures in South London

London’s chronic housing shortage drives such projects. The London Plan mandates density in opportunity areas like this. Greenwich, balancing growth and character, faces similar pressures as neighbours.​

Blackheath’s affluence contrasts with borough-wide needs, making affordability key to equity.