Policy information sourced from Lewisham Development Management Local Plan

DM Policy 32 Housing design, layout and space standards

Siting and layout of development

The Council expects all new residential development to:

  • be attractive and neighbourly
  • provide a satisfactory level of privacy, outlook and natural lighting both for its future residents and its neighbours and
  • meet the functional requirements of future residents.

The siting and layout of new-build housing development, including the housing element of mixed use developments, will need to respond positively to the site specific constraints and opportunities as well as to the existing and emerging context for the site and surrounding area.

New-build housing development will be required to be:

  • sited to minimise disturbance from incompatible uses and be well located in relation to public transport with a high quality pedestrian environment. Table 2.2 Sustainable Residential Quality Matrix will be used to aid assessment of the appropriate density of development in relation to public transport accessibility and character areas
  • provided with a readily accessible, secure, private and usable external space and include space suitable for children’s play
  • designed so that schemes in mixed tenure do not distinguish between public and private housing provision either in terms of quality of materials and design, or in level of amenities
  • designed to be safe and secure and reduce crime and the fear of crime
  • designed to ensure that internal layout and external design features ensure that housing is accessible to all intended users.

Internal standards

The standards in the London Plan will be used to assess whether new housing development provides an appropriate level of residential quality and amenity. This will involve an assessment of whether the proposals provide accommodation that meet the following criteria:

  • meet the minimum space standards for new development which should conform with the standards in the London Plan
  • habitable rooms and kitchens and bathrooms are required to have a minimum floor height of 2.5 metres. between finished floor level and finished ceiling level. Space that does not meet this standard will not count towards meeting the internal floor area standards
  • provide accommodation of a good size, a good outlook, with acceptable shape and layout of rooms, with main habitable rooms receiving direct sunlight and daylight, and adequate privacy. There will be a presumption that residential units provided should be dual aspect. Any single aspect dwellings provided will require a detailed justification as to why a dual aspect dwelling is not possible and a detailed demonstration that adequate lighting and ventilation can be achieved. North facing single aspect flats will not be supported.
  • family housing (dwellings with three or more bedrooms) should be designed to have the potential to separate dining and living accommodation from the kitchen area in order to ensure privacy for the occupants
  • Single person dwellings will not be supported other than in exceptional circumstances. Developments will be required to have an exceptional design quality and be in highly accessible locations
  • include sufficient space for storage and utility purposes in addition to the minimum space standards.

For more information please see the Local Plan