Following the First World War, local boroughs like Deptford and Bermondsey as well as the London County Council [LCC] felt it was essential to reduce overcrowding by erecting more residential property and exceed that which was provided by private landlords.

Some private home owners in Bromley wanted to prevent the working class 'vulgar people' from the Downham estate from accessing the neighbouring middle-class area.

[6] That pre-war class wall was a stark reminder of the great increase in gated communities, barrier-walls and the use of private security by wealthier people in various parts of the growing metropolis.

[7] By the 1930s, lack of clarity had arisen in regard to responsibilities in relation to the dividing class wall following complaints by LCC to authorities at Lewisham Council.

[6] Despite this minor glitch, the Downham Estate illustrates the nature of developments of council housing in Britain in the period between the first and second world wars.

[8] The Downham estate and other projects of this nature around the time (for example Becontree) were built in efforts to reduce the serious housing problem around the city.

[7] Downham is bordered by Grove Park, Plaistow, Bromley Hill, Beckenham, Bellingham, Southend and Whitefoot.

Whilst the area lost Woolworths and all its banks, new facilities include Downham Sports and Leisure Centre as well as a Tesco Local.

[10] Marks and Spencers now serves as the grocery shop at the BP station which stands on the spot where the 2244-seater Splendid Cinema was in the 1930s.

Bonus Pastor Catholic College is located in Downham with two sites, Churchdown and Winlaton and has a large playing field at Whitefoot Lane with the Green Chain Walk running through.