Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

CI4 Nurseries and childcare facilities

Strategic Objectives:

A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,

G Healthy and safe communities,

I Ensuring high quality education, health and social care.

A Development proposals for day nurseries and childcare facilities (including child minding, playgroups and related activities) must:

  • Be located where they can be safely and easily accessed by walking, cycling and public transport;
  • Not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the road network and ensure adequate arrangements for car parking including access, egress, cross-site movement and drop-off areas, with consideration given to needs of disabled users;
  • Protect, manage and not adversely impact on local amenity;
  • Respond positively to local character; and e. Secure provision of fit-for-purpose facilities to accommodate the intended use and all likely users, including suitable outside play space where appropriate.

B The use of residential floorspace for day nurseries and childcare facilities will be supported where it is robustly demonstrated through evidence that:

  • The development will not result in the loss of a dwelling and the residual residential floorspace meets the requirements and standards for self-contained housing, as set out elsewhere in the Local Plan;
  • The community use is ancillary to the residential use;
  • There is a demonstrable local need or market demand for the use proposed; and
  • There are no suitable and available non-residential premises to accommodate the use.

For more information and policy context please see the Lewisham Local Plan