Policy information sourced from Lewisham Development Management Local Plan

DM Policy 14 District centres shopping frontages

Within the primary shopping frontages of the Blackheath, Deptford, Downham, Forest Hill, Lee Green and Sydenham district centres (as shown on the Policies Map), the Council will only consider a change of use involving the loss at ground floor level of shops (Class A1) where the proposal would meet all of the following criteria:

  • not harm the predominant retail character of the shopping frontage
  • not create an over-concentration of non-retail uses so as to create a break in the retail frontage of 3 or more non-A1 uses together, and maintain 70% of A1 uses in the primary shopping frontage
  • generate a significant number of pedestrian visits, thereby avoiding the creation of an area of relative inactivity in the shopping frontage
  • occupy a vacant unit, having regard to both their number within the district centre as a whole and the primary frontage and the length of time the unit has been vacant
  • not result in adverse effects caused by crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Within the secondary shopping frontages of Blackheath, Deptford, Downham, Forest Hill, Lee Green, New Cross/New Cross Gate and Sydenham district town centres (as shown on the Policies Map) the Council will only consider a change of use involving the loss at ground floor level of shops (Class A1) where the proposal would meet all of the following criteria:

  • introduce an A2, A3, A4 or D2 use b. not harm the amenity of adjoining properties, including that created by noise, smell, litter, and incompatible opening hours (all of which may be controlled by appropriate conditions)
  • not create an over-concentration of non-retail uses so as to create a break in the retail frontage of 3 or more non-A1 uses together
  • not harm the retail character, attractiveness, vitality and viability of the centre including unreasonably reducing the percentage of A1 units e. retain an appearance which is compatible with adjoining shop units including window presentation f. provide an active frontage at ground floor level

The Council will not support ground level residential uses within the primary or secondary shopping frontage.

Outside the primary and secondary shopping frontages areas of Blackheath, Deptford, Downham, Forest Hill, Lee Green, New Cross/New Cross Gate and Sydenham district town centres (as shown on the Policies Map) the Council will consider applications for development or a change of use from a ground floor shop (Class A1) where the following are met:

  • the amenity of adjoining properties is not harmed
  • the character, attractiveness, vitality and viability of the centre as a whole is not harmed
  • in the case of a change to a residential use, the proposal would not result in a harmful break to the continuity of the retail frontage.

For more information please see the Local Plan