Cray Wanderers Football Club
Cray Wanderers, London's oldest football club, has seen its application for a new ground, community facilities and affordable housing on Green Belt land at Flamingo Park in Chislehurst approved by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
With DHA on its team, the club achieved its planning goal after showing its very special circumstances overcame Green Belt policy constraints, and evidence of significant community benefits, having been homeless for 45 years.
The original application was called-in by the Secretary of State following Bromley Council's decision to approve in 2016 after the Mayor of London objected to the proposals. The original application was set to go to a Public Inquiry, which the club opted not to fight but instead went for a replay, with a new application addressing all the Mayor's concerns, led by DHA.
These included reducing the developed areas on the site, scaling back the residential and commercial floor areas, lowering the height of the buildings, providing an extra community football pitch and making 100% of the housing on the site affordable.
The Secretary of State subsequently confirmed the application would not be called-in. The final whistle will be blown once the draft section 106 agreements and planning conditions have been drawn up between Bromley and the Club.
A spokesman for Cray Wanderers said: "DHA provided the club with invaluable planning support and helped us navigate our way through the planning application process with both Bromley and, very importantly, the Greater London Authority.
"The new stadium not only secures the future of the club but will also cement our place within the local community and provide much-needed facilities on what is currently a degraded site."
Project Team
Mathew joined DHA as one of our original graduate intake in 2004. He has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Westminster, having previously studied Geography at the University of Birmingham.
Matthew Blythin MRTPI
Director
In his time at DHA, Matthew has worked on a wide variety of projects across all sectors including large scale estate regenerations, rural housing, Local Authority infrastructure projects and industrial schemes. He has also appeared as expert planning witness on behalf of clients at Public Inquiries.
Although working across all sectors and with a wide range of experience in his time at DHA, Matthew leads our education teams in our Maidstone and Leeds offices, and has overseen many applications which have secured permission for new schools and replacement school buildings across the country. He also has particular experience working with contractor and local authority clients on leisure and infrastructure projects, including new leisure centres and multi-storey car parks.
Matt is a keen cricketer and in to all things sport, including coaching the DHA-sponsored Roseacre Raiders!
Matthew specialises in rural planning and has extensive experience in barn conversions, agricultural development, rural business growth and farm diversification projects. He is also DHA’s lead specialist on permitted development rights and point of contact on MOD projects.
Matthew Garvey MRTPI
Director
Matthew joined DHA in 2012 as a Graduate Planner, having previously worked at Kent County Council. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Geography and completed an MSc in Town Planning at the University of Brighton in 2014.
Over the course of his career at DHA, Matthew has progressed through the business, culminating in his promotion to Director in June 2026.
With more than a decade of experience in planning consultancy, Matthew advises a diverse client base ranging from major developers, contractors and landed estates to farmers, businesses and private landowners. He has successfully managed a broad spectrum of planning projects and is recognised for providing clear, commercially focused advice that helps clients navigate complex planning issues.
While his work spans multiple sectors, Matthew specialises in rural planning and has extensive experience in barn conversions, agricultural development, rural business growth and farm diversification projects. He is also DHA’s lead specialist on permitted development rights and point of contact on MOD projects. He ensures clients benefit from the latest legislative changes and opportunities.
His practical approach, detailed knowledge of planning policy and commitment to delivering results make him a trusted adviser to clients across the South East and beyond.