Lewisham Council reveals locations of 1,000 new homes – including a 19th Century listed site
By Grainne Cuffe, local democracy reporter
Lewisham Council has identified a series of sites across west Lewisham where more than 1,000 homes could be build.
They include a former Co-op in Sydenham Road, a GP surgery in Forest Hill, and the site of 19th Century listed building.
The council is consulting on its draft local plan, which sets out its long-term development strategy for the borough.
The final version is expected to be adopted by the council between summer and autumn of 2022.
The plan is divided into central, north, east, south, and west.
West Lewisham covers Telegraph Hill, Brockley, Crofton Park, Honor Oak, Blythe Hill, Forest Hill, Perry Hill, Sydenham, and Sydenham Hill.
According to the local plan’s vision for west Lewisham: “By 2040 the historic fabric, landscape and woodland character of the west area will be reinforced so that its neighbourhoods and centres retain their village qualities, including valued views towards London and Kent.
“The area will feature a distinctive, thriving and well-connected network of town and local centres that complement one another.
“The revitalisation of the area’s town and local centres will ensure they remain thriving hubs of community and commercial activity, as well as focal points for new housing, including a high proportion of genuinely affordable housing.”
One of the key objectives for west Lewisham include securing the delivery of the Brockley station interchange, a proposed interchange between the east London line and the Lewisham-Victoria line.
The council also plans to transform the South Circular and Brockley Rise/Brockley Road into ‘healthy streets’, with changes that “make walking, cycling and use of public transport safer and more convenient”.
Another key objective is protecting and enhancing open and green spaces, while there is a plan to deliver a “connected network of high quality walking and cycle routes” that link these spaces.
The draft London Plan set a housing target for Lewisham of 1,667 units a year – that means 16,670 homes completed between 2020 and 2030.
However new planning reforms that could see the Government have much more control over housing targets are being developed.
Included in Lewisham’s draft local plan are potential and earmarked sites for redevelopment.
West Lewisham sites
111-115 Endwell Road
This land was formerly used as a motor body repair shop in Shardeloes Road.
There is already planning permission for a new MOT garage, but the council thinks the site has potential for homes and office space.
Potential new homes: 65
6 Mantle Road
An industrial site, this land has been identified as having residential and office space potential.
It sits across from John Stainer Community Primary School.
Potential new homes: 17
Jenner Health Centre
This site is the home of GP Surgery Jenner Health Centre in Forest Hill.
The council thinks it has potential to be redeveloped for residential and community uses.
Development guidelines say the surgery would have to be re-provided, though it is unclear if this would be on the site or elsewhere.
Potential new homes: 40
Havelock House, Telecom Site and Willow Tree House, near Horniman Drive
The council is looking at redeveloping the land behind three blocks of flats, including Havelock House and Willow Tree House, by Honor Oak Road.
Potential new homes: 30
Land at Forest Hill Station west, by Devonshire and Dartmouth roads
The site is home to a dentist, shops, car services, and a car park. The council has identified it as a potential site for new flats, shops, and office space.
Potential new homes: 86
Clyde Vale Locally Significant Industrial Site
The council is looking into redeveloping the industrial estate by Clyde Vale in Forest Hill. It could be a mix of residential and commercial space.
Potential new homes: 15
Featherstone Lodge, Eliot Bank
Plans for a housing by Eliot Bank in Forest Hill were approved in 2015, but the approval has since lapsed.
The council thinks the site, home to the locally listed Featherstone Lodge and garden, could be redeveloped for residential use.
Development requirements state the 19th Century Lodge must be retained.
Potential new homes: 33
Former Sydenham Police Station
The council has identified the site of the former Sydenham Police Station, just off Dartmouth Road, as having potential for new homes.
Permission for 33 new flats was granted in 2016.
Willow Way Locally Significant Industrial Site (LSIS)
The council thinks the industrial site by Willow Way in Forest Hill has potential for a mixed-use development, which would include new homes and shops.
Potential new homes: 175
Land at Forest Hill Station east
Land at Forest Hill Station east (of the railway line) looks like it could have homes and shops built on it, according to the plan.
Potential new homes: 41
Perry Vale Locally Significant Industrial Site
The council has earmarked the Forest Hill Industrial Estate by Perry Vale as a potential site for redevelopment. It could be a mixed development of homes, shops, and office space.
Potential new homes: 122
Land at Sydenham Road and Loxley Close
The land between Sydenham Road and Loxley Close has been identified as having potential for a mix of homes and shops.
There is currently a Lidl and carpark on the site.
Potential new homes: 131
113-157 Sydenham Road
The council has identified this land off Sydenham Road as a potential site for commercial properties and homes.
The site is home to a car dealership. The Plan states that an assessment should be carried out to determine which buildings should stay or go.
The locally listed Dolphin pub and garden must be retained.
Potential new homes: 168
154-160 Sydenham Road
The site is no longer in use, home to vacant and dilapidated buildings.
Planning consent has already been granted for 29 new homes on the site, but the council sees potential for around 50 more.
Potential new homes: 76
74 to 78 Sydenham Road
This site, home to a former Co-op, could be redeveloped into flats and commercial space.
Potential new homes: 18
Whilst new homes are good,i know of numerous businesses that have been going for many years that will be forced to close and friends that will loose their jobs,so not all good news im afraid