Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

EC6 Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS)

Strategic Objectives:

C A thriving local economy that tackles inequalities.

A LSIS will be protected for Class E(g) office and light industrial, Class B industrial, Class B8 storage and distribution and related Sui Generis uses, with priority being given to office and light industrial uses. Development proposals should maintain the Borough’s industrial capacity within these locations and seek to deliver net gains wherever possible.

B Development proposals within or adjacent to LSIS must not adversely impact on the function or effectiveness of the LSIS to accommodate commercial and industrial uses. Lewisham’s LSIS are normally inappropriate locations for proposals seeking to deliver new main town centre uses, as defined under Class E (a) – (f).

C Within LSIS, development proposals for self-storage and large format storage and warehousing uses and facilities will only be permitted where:

  • The requirements of Policy EC2.B(d) (Protecting employment land and delivering new workspace) are satisfied; or
  • There is a demonstrable local need or market demand for the use proposed;
  • The use cannot be reasonably located in a SIL, as evidenced by a detailed site selection exercise; and d. The development will include provision of a reasonable proportion of flexible workspace or units for micro, small or medium-sized businesses.

D The co-location of employment and other compatible uses will only be permitted at selected LSIS in order to secure the longterm viability of LSIS and to help facilitate their renewal and regeneration. Development proposals involving the co-location of uses must not compromise the function of the LSIS in line with (B) above. Further development requirements are set out in the relevant site allocation policies:

E Development proposals for the co-location of uses on LSIS sites which result in the net loss of industrial capacity will be strongly resisted and only permitted in exceptional circumstances, where the proposal:

  • Suitably demonstrates that the loss is necessary for reasons of feasibility or to secure strategic infrastructure, with reference to Policy EC6.G, and the amount of industrial capacity has been maximised as much as reasonably practical, including through evidence of a development options appraisal considered through the design-led approach;
  • Will not compromise the function of the LSIS or preclude the delivery of the spatial strategy for the Borough;
  • Delivers wider public benefit(s) to overcome the loss of industrial capacity; and
  • Makes provision of at least 50 per cent affordable housing on the residential element of the development.

F On LSIS where the co-location of uses is not permitted by Policy EC6.D development proposals which are not for Class E(g) office and light industrial, Class B industrial, Class B8 storage and distribution and similar Sui Generis uses will only be supported where they:

  • Are not residential uses;
  • Are complementary and ancillary to the principal function of the LSIS in accommodating commercial and industrial uses or infrastructure necessary to support the delivery of the spatial strategy, with reference to Policy EC6.G;
  • Will support the long-term viability of the LSIS as an employment location, including through provision of services and facilities that meet the needs of modern business;
  • Will not adversely impact on the function of the LSIS or prejudice the continued operation of commercial and industrial uses on the site, within the LSIS and in neighbouring employment areas, including those outside of the Borough;
  • Do not result in an overconcentration of similar uses in the LSIS and its immediate or wider surrounds; and
  • Will not compromise the delivery of strategic requirements for industrial capacity, having regard to the proposal’s individual and cumulative impact.

G Within LSIS, development proposals for strategic infrastructure will be permitted where it is demonstrated that:

  • The infrastructure is necessary to support the delivery of the spatial strategy for the Borough, taking into account the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan;
  • The use is appropriate to the industrial location and will not adversely impact on the function of the LSIS or prejudice the continued operation of commercial and industrial uses on the site or within the employment area; and
  • The loss of industrial capacity has been minimised as much as reasonably practical and efforts have been made to replace any such losses.

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