Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

HO2 Optimising the use of small housing sites

Strategic Objectives:

A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,

B Housing tailored to the community with genuinely affordable homes,

G Healthy and safe communities.

A The development of small sites will play an important role in increasing housing supply in Lewisham and supporting provision for a wide range of high quality and affordable homes. The London Plan identifies a small sites target for Lewisham of 3,790 new additional homes to be delivered during the period until 2029. This has been carried forward, in the housing trajectory, to the end of the plan-period.

Figure 7.1 Small-site housing opportunities identifies where this could happen. However, sites that fall outside of identified opportunity areas may also be suitable for small site intensification. Conversely small sites located within the identified opportunity areas do not necessarily have an automatic right to be developed as such.

Opportunities should be taken to optimise the capacity of small sites for new housing development across the Borough, including through:

  • Redevelopment of vacant and underused brownfield sites, and ancillary buildings such as garages;
  • Housing conversions;
  • Housing alterations and extensions; and
  • Infill and backland development.

B To help facilitate the appropriate development of small sites for housing the Council has prepared the Small Sites SPD and the Alterations and Extensions SPD. Development proposals should have regard to this guidance, where relevant, and demonstrate how it has been used through the design-led approach.

C Development proposals for housing on small sites will only be supported where they help to facilitate the delivery of the spatial strategy for the Borough contribute to the London Plan small site target through the delivery, of 379 units on small sites per annum and:

  • Are appropriately located for residential use;
  • Are of a high quality design with accommodation that meets the relevant standards for living and amenity space, with reference to Policy QD8 (High quality housing design);
  • Respond positively to local character, including historical character and heritage assets;
  • Protect and enhance biodiversity and green infrastructure, and further maximise opportunities for urban greening;
  • Make provision for affordable housing, in line with Policy HO3 (Genuinely affordable housing);
  • Protect and do not result in unreasonable adverse impacts on local amenity;
  • Do not result in the loss of community infrastructure, with reference to Policy CI1 (Safeguarding and securing community infrastructure); and
  • Do not prejudice the delivery of site allocations in the Local Plan.

D Neighbourhood forums are strongly encouraged to identify locations and allocate sites appropriate for housing development, including small sites, within neighbourhood plans.

Housing conversions

E In order to maintain a supply of housing suitable for families, development proposals for the conversion of a single family dwelling, or self-contained unit with 3+ bedrooms, into smaller selfcontained residential units (including flats) will only be supported where:

  • A family sized unit (3+ bedrooms) is re-provided, unless it is demonstrated that the property is not suitable for family accommodation due to environmental or other site constraints;
  • All housing units benefit from a layout and configuration that is practical for residential occupation, with reference to other policies on high quality design;
  • In the situation garden land or other dedicated private outdoor amenity space is available, the extent of and access to this private amenity space is maintained for the existing family unit, and wherever possible, made accessible to residents in other units; and
  • The development will not result in an adverse impact on local character.

F Development proposals for the conversion of properties into Houses in Multiple Occupation will be considered against Policy HO8 (Housing with Shared Facilities - Houses in Multiple Occupation).

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