The area surrounding this section of the canal has a history of residential development before it became a public park, Senegal Fields, in 1972.

The remaining land use is predominantly industrial, including waste and recycling processing facilities on Landmann Way and a London Overground maintenance depot.

A development proposal, which received planning consent in March 2012, was thoroughly investigated by The Guardian newspaper in 2016 and 2017.

As a result of funding claims that were false and links between the developer and Lewisham council, the scheme was cancelled.

Followers of Millwall, local residents, former players, football commentators and supporters of clubs across the world expressed their concern about the scheme because it endangered a club with very close community links.