What does the Society Do?

What does the Society do and does it make a difference?
IN THE VILLAGE We have encouraged the maintenance and extension of a "core retail area" for shopping. We work with local residents to reduce late night noise and anti-social behaviour. We have campaigned to save the Post Office and the Library. In 1999 we initiated the "Better Blackheath Village Project" which has been taken up and is being implemented by the local councils and English Heritage. Once a month a team of volunteers removes graffiti in the Village and surrounding area. Twice a year volunteers clear rubbish from the Station Garden and trim vegetation. We have fought to defeat proposals in the 1960s/1970s which would have put a motorway across Blackheath Park, the Cator Estate and through the heart of the Village. In the 1970s we were actively involved in the Civic Trust scheme for general improvements in the Village.
ON THE HEATH We fight to preserve the health and enjoyment of the Heath, to encourage traditional sports, fairs and circuses, but to oppose commercial exploitation and damage from over-use, such as was threatened in the Millennium Year. We have contributed to the restoration of the fountains, the ponds, and the Gibb memorial Shelter, and replaced trees after the Great Storm of 1987. We encourage the removal of eyesores and visual improvements of paths and litter bins. We contributed knowledge and expertise to the 2003 Kim Wilkie Report on the Future of the Heath and continue to press for action on its recommendations. We pressurise the local boroughs to keep the ponds clean - with varying success.
FOR TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL We advise local councils and other authorities on matters such as the A2, traffic calming and parking. We campaign for better railway and bus services for the area. We are pressing for disabled access to the London bound platform at the station. We advised on the cycle network across the Heath. We commented on the Mayor's Spatial Strategy for London We are active in campaigning to reduce aircraft noise.
FOR PLANNING We aim to encourage good modern development, oppose the mediocre, and preserve what is worthwhile. We regularly advise local councils on planning proposals, and appear at public inquiries. We have encouraged the extension of conservation areas and made recommendations for the statutory and local listing of interesting buildings. We keep an eye on tree preservation and replanting and fight to prevent overdevelopment. To mark the Millennium we photographed every building in the Blackheath area. This photographic survey now forms part of our archive, access to which is available on request and which we hope to put on our website at a future date.
Do we make a difference?
As the public voice of Blackheath, we speak to the press, and work with local councils, residents, other amenity groups, traders, the police, the Boundary Commission, English Heritage, the Blackheath Joint Working Party and everyone else who can influence the well-being of our area for its continued enjoyment by future generations. If we hadn't spoken up over the years against the ideas, plans and proposals that have been directed towards Blackheath Village, it wouldn't be the place it is today - one of the most popular residential areas of London!
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