Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

EC18 Culture, creative industries and the night-time economy

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.

Cultural and creative industries

A The cultural and creative industries (including education and training facilities that support and are associated with these industries) contribute to the diversity and distinctiveness of Lewisham’s neighbourhoods and play an important role in the local economy. Development proposals should support the continued growth and development of these industries by:

  • Protecting existing cultural venues and uses, including by applying the Agent of Change principle;
  • Making provision for new cultural venues, workspace and performance space in town centres and other appropriate locations, particularly in major development proposals and large-scale regeneration schemes;
  • Designing public realm with spaces that can be adapted to support civic and cultural events, including outdoors;
  • Considering the use of vacant properties and land for temporary pop-up or meanwhile uses for cultural and creative activities, having regard to Policy DM5 (Meanwhile uses); and
  • Enabling the provision of high quality, fast and reliable digital infrastructure, in line with Policy TR7 (Digital connectivity).

B Development proposals involving the loss of cultural venues that have heritage, economic, social or cultural value should be avoided. They will only be permitted where:

  • The loss of the venue will not result in a significant adverse impact on the role and function of a Cultural Quarter or town centre;
  • There is authoritative marketing evidence which demonstrates that there is no reasonable prospect of the building or space being used for a similar or alternative cultural use, covering a minimum continuous period of twoyears. This must include evidence of efforts made to market the venue to the local community, relevant cultural organisations and business groups;
  • The use is not a meanwhile use; and
  • Where the proposal involves the demolition or loss of a building it complies with other Local Plan policies including on heritage assets and the historic environment.

C Where a cultural venue is a public house, or comprises space within a public house, development proposals involving the loss of a venue will be assessed in accordance with Policy EC18 (Public houses).

D The Lewisham North Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) is designated in the Local Plan. Development proposals should support and contribute to enhancing the cultural and creative industries within the CEZ, in line with Policy LNA3 (Lewisham North Creative Enterprise Zone).

Cultural quarters

E Lewisham benefits from the presence of Cultural Quarters comprising local clusters of complementary cultural, community and commercial activities. The following Cultural Quarters are designated in the Local Plan:

  • Deptford Creekside;
  • New Cross; and
  • Forest Hill.

F Cultural, community and commercial uses will be encouraged and supported within Cultural Quarters, having regard to other Local Plan policies. Development proposals should retain or make appropriate re-provision to accommodate existing cultural, community and commercial uses where these make a positive contribution to a Cultural Quarter. Development proposals that will adversely impact on the distinctive character and function of a Cultural Quarter, including through the loss of viable cultural venues, will be refused.

G Temporary activities and meanwhile uses (such as festivals, markets, exhibitions, performances and other cultural events) will be supported within Cultural Quarters, with reference to Policy DM5 (Meanwhile Uses).

Evening and night-time economy

H Evening and night-time economic activities should make a positive contribution to the neighbourhoods within which they are located by:

  • Supporting the local economy through provision of a wide range of employment generating uses and jobs along with opportunities to carry out business beyond normal daytime hours;
  • Enhancing the vitality and viability of town centres and other employment areas; and
  • Reinforcing local character and identity, and creating more inclusive communities, through provision of a locally distinctive and expanded leisure, cultural and entertainment offer.

I Development proposals for evening and nighttime economic activities should be directed to appropriate town centre locations, giving priority to the following designated areas of night-time activity:

  • Areas with more than local significance:
    1. Major centres of Catford and Lewisham;
    2. District centres of Blackheath, Deptford, and New Cross Gate; and
    3. Local centre of New Cross Road.
  • Areas with local significance:
    1. District centres of Deptford and Forest Hill.

J Development proposals for evening and nighttime economic activities located outside of town centres will only be supported where the use(s) will complement and not adversely impact on the town centre network and hierarchy.

K Development proposals for evening and nighttime economic activities must demonstrate that they:

  • Will protect, manage and not result in an unreasonable adverse impact on local amenity;
  • Will not result in a harmful overconcentration of uses, with reference to Policy EC17 (Concentration of uses);
  • Are located in well-connected places with easy to reach Night Service transport options; and
  • Can be safely accessed during all hours of operation.

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