Neil Rhind

Neil Biron Rhind MBE (9 January 1937 – 10 February 2024) was an English journalist, writer and an authority on the social and historical development of Blackheath and surrounding areas of south-east London.

[citation needed] From 1969, prompted by fierce local opposition to the Greater London Development Plan (London Ringways) and its adverse effect on Blackheath, Rhind became involved in documenting and protecting the social and architectural history of his home district, Blackheath and Greenwich.

[4] Rhind joined the Blackheath Society committee in 1974, succeeded Ken Bound as chairman in September 1993, resigning in May 1998.

He was an honorary life member of the Westcombe Society and a past chairman of the London Borough of Lewisham Conservation Advisory Committee.

[citation needed] Rhind was a leading contributor to the Blackheath Conservation Area Appraisal[6] submitted to Lewisham Council in 2007.

[11][12] Campaigners claimed that it would be unlawful for the London Borough of Greenwich to give planning permission for London 2012 to use the land because the enclosure of any part of the Heath, including Circus Field, would be contrary to the Metropolitan Commons Act 1866, which established the concept of metropolitan commons being available at all times for the benefit of members of the public.

[19][20] Drawing on his research and writing, Rhind led numerous walks in the Blackheath area describing buildings of architectural or historical interest, and gave many talks on local history.