Between 1964 and the early 1990s the Slocock Family who owned Goldsworth Nursery sold off their substantial land bank between Horsell, Knaphill and St Johns for development. Work began on the land adjacent to Bullbeggars Lane where construction was focused on council housing, a school and a new road, over the coming years private developers built swathes of homes in multiple phases. At the time “Goldsworth Park” as it came to be known, was said to be the largest single development by a private developer in Europe.

Matthew attended Goldsworth Primary School and lived on the estate for 16 years, he left in 2015. In 2023 Matthew is returning to document Goldsworth Park from his own unique perspective.

”I am often asked by people who still live on the park “Why?”, I think the best way to understand my interest is that of absence. I wasn’t particularly fascinated by my home when I lived there but leaving and coming back has peaked my interest. The more I research the history and community the more I want to delve deeper. As a former resident I have a strange feeling walking around documenting Goldsworth Park, it feels safe and familiar but I also feel like an outsider, having been away for 8 years.”

”There were problems of course and there still are I’m sure, but I think given the current housing situation in this country it’s imperative that we look at this relative success story a little closer and celebrate the beauty created on this former nursery”

Matthew started shooting in July 2023, while researching, meeting local people and trying to gain a deeper understanding of Goldsworth Park, the shooting will continue over the next year or so. It is also the aim that this photographic documentation can be archived locally for the benefit of those to come.