Conservation in Heathway
Heathway is a distinctive part of the Blackheath Conservation Area, which extends from the eastern end of Westcombe Park down to St German’s Place. It is a relatively rare example within the borough of a semi-rural mews lane.
Originally serving the large Victorian housing in St Johns Park and Vanbrugh Park, it remains defined by its relationship to these locally listed buildings. In particular their setting is enhanced by the balance achieved between the built spaces and large extent of surrounding green spaces. In fact it is the sylvan nature of the street scene, which is the most distinctive and valuable characteristic of the lane.
Whereas the mixed nature of development styles is shared with Langton Way, Heathway is distinguished by the predominance of pitched roofs and traditional building styles, as well as being narrower and winding at its western end towards the Heath.
The Heathway Residents’ and Neighbourhood Watch Association is concerned to preserve and enhance the character of the street scene in Heathway, as well as to maintain and enhance the tree cover. It is the lane’s sylvan character and proliferation of vegetation that makes it attractive, which the association is anxious to maintain.
Heathway is vulnerable to the risk of plot subdivision and erosion of character through incremental development, especially through backland development. There is also a long term threat to the character of Vanbrugh Park, if the remaining Victorian houses are converted from single family homes to multiple residences, as a result of the trend for unrestrained infill of the garden plots.
(Last edited on October 14, 2015)
