Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

EC17 Concentration of uses

Strategic Objectives:

C A thriving local economy that tackles inequalities,

G Healthy and safe communities.

A Development proposals must not result in a harmful overconcentration of the following Sui Generis uses:

  • Hot food takeaways;
  • Betting offices, casinos and bingo halls;
  • Payday loan shops
  • Pawnbrokers;
  • Nightclubs and dance halls; and
  • Drinking establishments.

B The harmful overconcentration of uses will be assessed on the basis of the number of similar uses within a 400 metre radius of the development and where:

  • The vitality and viability of the town centre will be adversely impacted, taking into account the function of the centre in the hierarchy; and
  • The character of the area has changed or local amenity has been adversely impacted as a result of:
    1. Increased noise, odour, fumes and other nuisances;
    2. Traffic generation including from taxis, private hire and servicing vehicles;
    3. Inadequate provision of waste management and recycling facilities;
    4. Anti-social behaviour and public safety.

C Development proposals for uses listed in (A) must submit sufficient information to allow for an assessment of the concentration of uses, in line with the criteria in (B) above.

Hot food takeaways

D In addition to complying with (A) and (B) above, development proposals for hot food takeaways will only be permitted where:

  • They are located at least 400 metres away from the boundary of an existing or proposed primary or secondary school; and
  • The proportion of hot food takeaway premises in the shopping frontage complies with the thresholds set out in Table 8.3.

Food and drink services

E Development proposals for uses involving the service of food and drink must make adequate arrangements to protect and manage local amenity, in line with Policy QD7 (Amenity and agent of change).

F Where development proposals for uses involving the service of food and drink are acceptable in principle, a condition will be sought requiring the operator to achieve and operate in compliance with the Healthier Catering Commitment Standard.

Table 8.5: Shopping frontage thresholds for takeaways
LOCATIONTHRESHOLD APPLIED
Primary or secondary School400m away from school boundary
Major / District CentreProportion of hot food takeaways does not exceed 5% of units
Local CentreProportion of hot food takeaways does not exceed 10% of units
Shopping Parade (20 units or more)Maximum of 2 units in hot food takeaways use
Shopping Parade (19 units or less)Maximum of 1 unit in A5 hot food takeaways use

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