London planning policy is that all developments over a certain size should be mixed communities in terms of affordable and market housing. For large developments, especially in a borough like Lewisham, they will always be mixed in this sense. The gates are for security and do not represent the kind of social exclusion that many people in the 1980s feared with the Thatcher development in Dulwich (a gated community where Maggie bought a house for those that don't know, and it isn't really called the Thatcher development, I just can't remember the name).

Today gated communities such as Century Yard exist to allow children safe places to play, residents places to park, and avoids anti-social behaviour that can occur in some areas. Whether Canonbie is a good example of this or not I do not know, as I don't know to where you are referring.

I did try to find out where this development is located and I found quite an interesting document on Lewisham's website which has a drawing of a gated block of flats on Canonbie and gives the access code for the gate!

BD should remember that he lives in the gated community of Horniman Heights. After a certain time the park keeper shuts the gates and all access to the area is limited to car users and those fit enough to climb to the top of the hill. This is a socially divisive development and should be flattened (the hill not the houses). Of course I have a vested interest as your hill ruins my view of London, I don't know how the hill it was ever given planning permission. I hold God personally responsible for the creation of this hill and will be boycotting his birthday this year.