A striking example of post-war modernist design is heading to auction with First for Auctions this February. Located on the private Cator Estate in Blackheath, 31 The Plantation is a three-bedroom Span house with a guide price of £450,000 and will be sold by online auction on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Designed by renowned British architect Eric Lyons and developed by Span Developments in 1961, this property represents a rare chance to purchase an original home that has remained in the same ownership since it was built. It retains a wealth of period features, including teak built-in wardrobes, parquet flooring, original sliding doors and kitchen fittings – elements that are increasingly hard to find in Span houses, many of which have been modernised.
Set within a quiet, tree-lined development, the home offers a double reception room, study and separate kitchen on the ground floor, with three bedrooms, a bathroom and a separate WC upstairs. Outside, it benefits from a secluded courtyard garden, additional private garden, residents’ parking and a garage.
The Plantation is one of Span’s most sought-after developments, located just half a mile from Blackheath Village, its mainline station, and the wide open spaces of the heath and Greenwich Park beyond.
Daniel Gale, Head of Auctions at First for Auctions, commented, “This is a very special property. It offers the opportunity to restore and live in an architectural icon that combines design pedigree with a fantastic location. Span homes like this don’t come up often, and this one is particularly rare in its originality.”
Span Developments, co-founded by Lyons and developer Geoffrey Townsend, set out in the 1950s and 60s to revolutionise suburban housing. Together, they created more than 2,000 homes across Southern England, defined by their contemporary design, strong architectural values and community-centred landscaping. Their legacy lives on in places like The Plantation, which remain highly desirable for their character, layout and setting.
Eric Lyons himself was awarded the RIBA London Architecture Bronze Medal in 1955 and later served as RIBA President. His work, particularly through Span, helped shape the evolution of British domestic architecture, offering stylish, well-planned homes in leafy settings for middle-income buyers. The Plantation is one of the clearest and most intact examples of his vision.
Viewings for the property are available by appointment and the legal pack is now online.
The auction will take place on 26 February 2026, for more information or to register to bid visit the First for Auctions website.
