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 North Area.

B Development proposals must help to ensure the North Area benefits from a high quality network of walking routes and cycleways that connect neighbourhoods and places, including green spaces and waterways, having regard to Policy GR4 (Lewisham Links). Folkestone Gardens should form a central point for a series of walking and cycle connections across the area, supported by public realm enhancements around the viaduct and Surrey Canal Road.

C Development proposals must seek to foster community cohesion and improve accessibility by addressing elements of the built environment that segregate neighbourhoods and places from one another. This includes severance caused by the convergence of rail lines around Surrey Canal Road, the barriers to movement around and across other major roads, including New Cross Road and Evelyn Street (A200) and the wall at Leeway adjacent to Convoys Wharf.

D Heritage-led regeneration will be vital to delivering high quality and distinctive neighbourhoods across the North Area. Development proposals must respond positively to the historic environment as an integral part of the design-led approach. Opportunities should be taken to preserve, better reveal and reinstate heritage assets and features that contribute to local character and identity, particularly where sites are delivered through comprehensive development. This includes heritage assets associated with:

E Development proposals must respond positively to the River Thames and Deptford Creek with reference to Policy LNA4 (Thames Policy Area and Deptford Creekside). They must maximise opportunities to improve the ecological quality and amenity value of these waterways, including by creating or enhancing walking routes and cycleways to and along the waterfront, particularly the Thames Path and Waterlink Way at Deptford Creek. This may include a number of interventions and improvements that increase accessibility to walking and cycling opportunities, such as improved way marking, safer networks and provision for cycle hire infrastructure.

F Development proposals must respond positively to the historic and cultural character of New Cross and Deptford District Centres. A wide range of commercial, cultural and community uses will be supported within the centres to support their vitality and long-term viability as well as to expand their role as key nodes of employment activity within the Creative Enterprise Zone.

G Development proposals should reinforce and enhance the role of New Cross and Deptford Cultural Quarters by supporting and enabling the clustering of complementary cultural, community and commercial uses within these locations, with reference to Policy EC 18 (Culture, creative industries and the night-time economy).

H Deptford market and market yard are at the heart of the Deptford District Centre and will be protected as an important commercial destinations and visitor attractions. Development proposals should assist in securing the long-term viability of the market by protecting and enhancing its amenity, delivering public realm and access improvements, and making appropriate provision of space and facilities for traders.

I Development proposals must support the vitality and viability of Evelyn Street Local Centre by creating and maintaining a positive relationship with the centre, and responding positively to its location at a key transitional position between Deptford High Street and Convoys Wharf. This includes the provision of new and improved walking routes and cycleways to and around the centre, including links to open spaces. Proposals should also deliver other public realm enhancements to improve the place qualities of the centre including streets trees and other urban greening measures, with reference to Policy QD3 (Public realm).

J Where relevant, development proposals must demonstrate how they have responded positively to the New Cross Area Framework and Surrey Canal Triangle SPD through the design-led approach.

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