Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan
LCA1 Central Area place principles
Strategic Objectives:
A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,
C A thriving local economy that tackles inequalities,
D A greener borough,
E Responding to the climate emergency,
F Celebrating our local identity,
G Healthy and safe communities,
H Securing the timely delivery of infrastructure.
A Development proposals must contribute to the delivery of Good Growth with reference to Policy OL1 (Delivering an Open Lewisham) and in doing so, demonstrate how they have responded positively to and will support the achievement of the key spatial objectives for the Central Area.
B Development proposals must help to ensure the Central Area benefits from a high quality network of walking routes and cycleways that connect neighbourhoods and places, including green spaces and waterways, with reference to Policy GR4 (Lewisham Links).
C Staplehurst Road and Hither Green Lane are designated as Local Centres reflecting the role they play in the provision of local services and community facilities, along with their accessible location near Hither Green station. To help secure the long-term viability of the Local Centres, development proposals should:
- Address severance caused by the railway and improve access to and along the station approaches and the Local Centres through public realm enhancements. that make walking routes, cycleways and station entrances (including at Springbank Road) safer and more legible;
- Enhance the character of the Local Centres through shopfront improvements, tree planting and, where appropriate, refurbishing or redeveloping buildings that detract from local character; and
- Facilitate the renewal of non-designated employment sites in proximity to the station to secure a complementary mix of commercial and other uses.
D The distinctive character of the residential hinterland within Catford, Lewisham and Hither Green will be reinforced. To help meet the Borough’s future needs, particularly for housing, sensitively designed and high quality development on small sites will be supported where this responds positively to the area’s local and historic character.
E The river valley network is a defining feature of the Central Area which development proposals must respond positively to by:
- Ensuring that development is designed to improve the ecological quality of the Ravensbourne and Quaggy rivers, including by naturalising the rivers, wherever opportunities arise;
- Ensuring the layout and design of development gives prominence to the rivers and the river valley, and enhances their amenity value, including by better revealing them;
- Facilitating the provision of new and enhanced connections to and along the rivers and river valleys, including by extending and improving the Waterlink Way. Walking routes and cycleways that enhance access to the river from the town centres of Lewisham and Catford, and the A21 Corridor, will be strongly supported; and
- Designing development with reference to the River Corridor Improvement Plan.
For more information and policy context please see the Lewisham Local Plan