Welcome to our community’s website, where we post useful information and community updates!
This website is a community-led initiative managed by resident volunteers. All content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. For official matters, please contact The Priory Residents Society directly.
A Brief History of The Priory
The Priory, Blackheath's first 'Span' estate, consists of 61 flats built in 1956 in the grounds of two Victorian houses. It was the first of several developments in Blackheath built between 1956 and 1980 by Span Developments Ltd and designed by the architect Eric Lyons. Span set out to provide high quality contemporary architecture in attractive garden settings. An integral part of this vision was the community principles by which Span estates are administered. It was intended that the owners of the flats would participate democratically in running the estate, hence the establishment of this Society and the residents' committee.
In 1984 the Society became the freeholder of the estate and therefore the ground landlord and lessor of the flats. The lessees of the flats constitute the membership and shareholders of the Society and therefore have a voice in running its affairs. The Society is a mutual society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 and operates under rules approved by the Financial Conduct Authority.
“The aim is to create an overall unity that avoids regimentation, provides a sense of freshness.”
In Span – Living with New Ideas
Featuring The Priory
Featuring The Priory
BBC Omnibus: The More We Are Together
First transmitted in 1969, Omnibus presents a portrait of architect Eric Lyons, whose company Span, builds modern suburban housing for middle income families. Ian Nairn examines the benefits and dangers of the close-knit communities which Span constructs.
Modern Buildings in Blackheath and Greenwich: London 1950–2000
A detailed survey of a London borough’s rich trove of new modernist architecture by local architect and Span estate resident Ana Francisco Sutherland
Perambulation Nº5—a walking guide to modernist houses Blackheath, South London by Stefi Orazi
This is a wonderful guide for an architectural walk around the surrounding areas!
Eric Lyons & Span
Lavishly illustrated and deeply researched, this book celebrates the work of the architect Eric Lyons OBE (1912-1980), whose famous post-war housing - that today would be marketed as 'lifestyle housing' - is as well-loved today as it was vibrantly successful when first constructed.
Span – Living with new ideas
The original 1960s promotional brochure for Span estates.
On 27 November 1957, the magazine THE ARCHITECT and Building News published an article that mentions The Priory!
Download the PDF to read it!