Local authorities are forcing through large-scale developments against the wishes of residents in an aggressive bid to meet Keir Starmer’s housing targets. Campaigners say the planning blitz hands ‘greedy’ developers the upper hand, leaving communities feeling ignored, sidelined and betrayed. What is now unfolding in one corner of south-east London is a warning for towns and villages nationwide, with even churches now losing their protection.

Blackheath Village, London’s first-ever conservation area, has become a key battleground. Local businesses, residents and celebrities are fighting plans by Labour-run Lewisham Council to approve an oversized five-storey housing block on the station car park. Blackheath is cherished for its Georgian and Victorian homes, some of which will be completely overshadowed by the new development, and many see this as a test case for whether local resistance can defeat government and council bullying.

The Battle of Blackheath is now reaching its most intensive phase. The council meets tomorrow, Tuesday 27 February, to decide whether to approve the scheme, drawn up by developer Acorn Property Group, which would deliver 45 new flats.

The campaign is being led by The Blackheath Society, supported by residents and local businesses, who have spent nine months opposing the plans. More than 1,200 formal objections have been lodged.

Opponents argue the scheme would damage the historic fabric of the village, wipe out most of the station’s parking, overshadow heritage streets, erode Blackheath’s character and destroy the weekend farmers’ market that has become a community focal point. Residents say they accept the need for development, but not dense, generic and inappropriate blocks imposed in the face overwhelming opposition.

Celebrities with close ties to the area have joined the fight, including Jude Law, Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler, fashion designer Jeff Banks and humanitarian Sir Terry Waite.

Marvel actor Dominic Cooper said residents were not anti-development but wanted schemes that were fair and responsible. He warned prioritising developer profit over local wishes would be a “devastating betrayal of the electorate”.

Miranda and Waterloo Road star Sarah Hadland said it was an “absolute travesty” that local concerns had been ignored. “This development brings nothing positive to the area. We will fight this to the end, for the sake of our children.”

Rob MacDonald, campaign leader at The Blackheath Society, warned the block would destroy heritage views and the popular farmers’ market that also supports independent cafés and shops. Of the 45 homes planned, he said, only eight were classed as social housing, with many costing £1.2million.

He said: “If Lewisham Council allows this to proceed without revision, it will be failing in its democratic duty to local residents.”

Many accept the car park will be developed, but not on this scale or size, and with modern architecture that will destroy Blackheath’s incredible heritage.

Blackheath is not an isolated case. Ministers have made clear they want housing schemes pushed through faster, with less scope for local resistance and a default “yes” around transport hubs including station car parks. Residents say that this risks plastering Britain’s most attractive places with poorly integrated concrete blocks.

Furious residents in Porthcawl are also fighting plans for 1,100 new homes they say will ruin their seaside town, while locals say this lovely little village cannot take the new homes being forced on it.

To them, Labour’s planning blitz is yet another assault on democracy. The Battle of Blackheath is no longer just local conflict, but is being fought across the country as furious locals refuse to be bullied by councils and developers.