Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

HE2 Designated heritage assets

Strategic Objectives:

A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,

F Celebrating our local identity.

Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site Buffer Zone

A Development proposals affecting the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site Buffer Zone must protect and preserve the significance, integrity and authenticity of the Site’s ‘Outstanding Universal Value’, including its setting and the views to and from it. All proposals will be considered having regard to the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site Management Plan and the official UNESCO Statement of Outstanding Universal Value.

Conservation Areas

B Within Conservation Areas development proposals (including alterations and extensions to existing buildings) will only be supported where they:

  • Preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area having particular regard to:
    1. Townscape, buildings, rooflines and the relationships between buildings;
    2. Plot coverage and open spaces, including gardens;
    3. Scale, form, elevational hierarchy, fenestration pattern, ornamentation and materials;
    4. Trees, topography, boundaries and other landscape features; and
    5. Views, from the public and private realm, including streetscape views and views across rear gardens and public open spaces;
  • Any harm to the Conservation Area must be clearly and convincingly justified and demonstrated to be outweighed by public benefit.
  • Development proposals that would result in substantial harm to the significance of a Conservation Area and its setting will be strongly resisted, in line with national planning policy.
  • Development does not individually, or cumulatively, harm the character or appearance, or significance of the Conservation Area.

C Development proposals for bin sheds and bike stores should be located at the side or rear of properties where a front access to the side and rear and sufficient space exists.

D Development proposals for the retention, refurbishment and reinstatement of features that are important to the significance of a Conservation Area will be supported. The Council will require the retention of architectural and landscaping features, such as front gardens and boundary walls, important to an area’s character or appearance, if necessary, by the use of Article 4 Directions.

E Proposals for the redevelopment of sites, buildings and structures that detract from the significance of a Conservation Area will only be supported where they will complement and positively impact on the character and significance of the area.

F Development proposals involving the demolition of buildings or structures that have been identified to make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of a Conservation Area will be resisted. Assessment of proposals will be in accordance with the NPPF.

G Development proposals on sites adjacent to a Conservation Area must not have a negative impact on the setting or significance of the Conservation Area.

Listed Buildings

H Development proposals that would result in substantial harm to the significance of a Listed Building and its setting will be strongly resisted, in line with the NPPF. Any harm must be clearly and convincingly justified, and demonstrated to be outweighed by public benefit, in accordance with the NPPF.

I Development proposals involving Listed Buildings (including alterations, extensions, refurbishment and repairs) will only be supported where:

  • They relate sensitively to the building, and preserve or enhance its significance;
  • The setting of Listed Building is preserved or enhanced to better reveal the significance of the asset;
  • Important views, both of and from, the Listed Building are protected; and
  • Less than substantial harm to the Listed Building is avoided, or where this is not possible, then any harm is clearly and convincingly justified, and demonstrated to be outweighed by public benefit, in accordance with the NPPF.

J Development proposals within the curtilage of a Listed Building should be sensitively designed and provide an appropriate sitespecific response to:

  • Preserve the integrity of the relationship between the Listed Building and its site and setting; and
  • Ensure there is no adverse impact on the future viability of the Listed Building.

Scheduled Monuments

K Proposals for development or work that is expected to affect a Scheduled Monument will be assessed on the disturbance and impact that they may cause, both above and below ground, and applications for planning permission should be submitted in parallel with applications for Scheduled Monument Consent.

L Archaeological investigation will be expected to be undertaken prior to the submission of an application. The results of this investigation should demonstrably inform the proposed development or works. Where consent is granted, conditions may be used to secure further detailed investigations and appropriate mitigation works, along with a programme of recording, interpretation and dissemination of evidence found during the investigations. Development will be expected to preserve significant archaeological remains in situ.

M Development proposals that would result in harm to the significance of a monument or its setting will be required to provide clear and convincing justification, and demonstrate that the harm is outweighed by public benefit, in accordance with the NPPF.

Registered Parks and Gardens and London Squares

N Development proposals will be expected to safeguard the features which form part of the special character or appearance of a Registered Park, Garden or Square. They should also ensure development does not detract from the layout, design, character, appearance and setting of the asset, or harm key views into and out of the space.

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