Policy information sourced from Lewisham Development Management Local Plan

DM Policy 33 Development on infill sites, backland sites, back gardens and amenity areas

General principles

Depending on the character of the area and the urban design function a space fulfils in the streetscape, some sites will not be considered suitable for development and planning permission will not be granted.

If a site is considered suitable for development, planning permission will not be granted unless the proposed development is of the highest design quality and relates successfully and is sensitive to the existing design quality of the streetscape, and is sensitive to the setting of heritage assets. This includes the spaces between buildings which may be as important as the character of the buildings themselves, and the size and proportions of adjacent buildings.

Development on these sites must meet the policy requirements of DM Policy 30 (Urban design and local character), DM Policy 32 (Housing design, layout and space standards) and DM Policy 25 (Landscaping and trees).

Development on these sites should retain existing formal or informal pedestrian through routes.

Infill sites

Development within street frontages and on street corners will only be permitted where they:

  • make a high quality positive contribution to an area
  • provide a site specific creative response to the character and issues of the street frontage typology identified in Table 2.1 Urban typologies in Lewisham and to the special distinctiveness of any relevant conservation area
  • result in no significant overshadowing or overlooking, and no loss of security or amenity to adjacent houses and gardens
  • provide appropriate amenity space in line with DM Policy 32 (Housing design, layout and space standards)
  • retain appropriate garden space for adjacent dwellings
  • repair the street frontage and provide additional natural surveillance
  • provide adequate privacy for the new development and
  • respect the character, proportions and spacing of existing houses.

Backland sites

New development on sites of this type will only be permitted where they provide:

  • a proper means of access and servicing which is convenient and safe both for drivers and pedestrians
  • no significant loss of privacy, amenity, and no loss of security for adjoining houses and rear gardens and
  • appropriate amenity space in line with the policy requirements in DM Policy 32 (Housing design, layout and space standards).

Gated developments on these sites that prevent access which would normally be provided by a publicly accessible street will not be supported.

Back gardens

The development of back gardens for separate dwellings in perimeter form residential typologies identified in the Lewisham Character Study will not be granted planning permission. Private back gardens in all urban typologies should be retained in development proposals involving new separate dwellings.

Amenity areas

Proposals for new residential development on amenity areas of landscaped open space attached to existing residential development will only be permitted where they:

  • repair or re-provide active street frontages
  • increase natural surveillance
  • retain existing private rear gardens where they are provided
  • retain adequate amenity space for the existing development according to the requirements of DM Policy 32 (Housing design, layout and space standards)
  • provide no significant loss of privacy and amenity, and no loss of security for adjoining residential development and private back gardens and
  • provide adequate privacy for the new development.

For more information please see the Local Plan