Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

EC11 Town centres at the heart of our communities

Strategic Objectives:

A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,

C A thriving local economy that tackles inequalities,

F Celebrating our local identity.

A Town centres are and should remain at the heart of Lewisham’s neighbourhoods and communities as focal points for retail, commercial, cultural, leisure, community and civic activities. Town centres will be managed positively in order to ensure they are inclusive, diverse, attractive and vibrant places that are made more resilient and adaptable to future challenges and opportunities, including those presented by new technology and changes in consumer behaviour, such as online shopping.

B Development proposals should support and help to secure the long-term vitality and viability of Lewisham’s town centres by:

  • Optimising the use of land within and around them;
  • Maintaining and enhancing their distinctive features and characteristics where these make a positive contribution to the neighbourhood, including their built form, environmental, historic and cultural character;
  • Ensuring they are inclusive, safe and healthy places by creating environments that are barrier-free and accessible to all, with high quality buildings, spaces and public realm that are designed to:
    1. Reduce vehicular dominance and promote and enable movement by walking, cycling and the use of public transport;
    2. Encourage street level activity along with opportunities for social interaction and relaxation, including through provision of publicly accessible open space; and
    3. Maximise opportunities to deliver new or enhanced green infrastructure, including by urban greening and river restoration;
  • Delivering an appropriate mix and balance of residential and main town centre uses in order to attract visitors and ensure people have good access to a competitive range of services and facilities, as well as to support businesses and grow the local economy through provision of a wide range of workspaces and premises; and
  • Ensuring town centres function as vibrant places of daytime, evening and night-time activities.

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