Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

LNA4 Thames Policy Area and Deptford Creekside

Strategic Objectives:

B Housing tailored to the community with genuinely affordable homes,

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 respond positively to the distinctive character the River Thames and Deptford Creek. They must also support and seek to maximise the multifunctional social, economic and environmental functions and benefits of the watercourses, with reference to Policy SD9 (Lewisham’s waterways).

B Development proposals on sites within the designated Thames Policy Area, and adjacent to Deptford Creek, must address the watercourse as an integral part of the design-led approach. The extent of the Thames Policy Area is shown on the Proposals Map and on Figure 15.5. They should help to reinforce and enhance the site’s relationship with the River Thames and Deptford Creek, including by:

  • Maintaining and enhancing the ecological quality and nature conservation value of the river or creek and its corridor, including the walls and foreshore;
  • Maximising opportunities to enhance the aesthetic value of the watercourse and visual amenity provided by it, having particular regard to:
    1. Views, vistas, landmark features and other points of interest;
    2. Building lines, along with the orientation and spacing between buildings; and
    3. Physical connections to the river or creek, including walking and cycle routes that enable access to the waterfront;
  • Addressing the river or creek as an important part of the public realm and contributing to the liveliness of the waterfront. Development should incorporate positive frontages and, where appropriate, accessible public spaces or facilities at the ground floors of buildings and their forecourts, particularly along the Thames Path and Waterlink Way;
  • Maintaining the stability of the flood defences and investigating opportunities to retreat flood defences, particularly to increase flood storage, enhance biodiversity, and create or improve visual connections with the river or creek;
  • Resisting encroachment into the creek or river and foreshore;
  • Making provision for an appropriate mix of uses on sites, along with enabling river-related and marine uses, where appropriate, in line with other policies. Consideration must be given to the requirements of the existing boating community and Creekside’s continued role in accommodating boat dwellings to help meet housing needs; and
  • Ensuring development does not adversely impact on the amenity of uses within industrial areas and safeguarded wharves, in line with the Agent of Change.

C Development proposals on sites within the Thames Policy Area, and adjacent to Deptford Creek, must preserve or wherever possible enhance the significance of heritage assets and their setting. This will require that particular attention is given to the maritime and industrial heritage of the area, and that opportunities to preserve or reinstate heritage assets are fully investigated and implemented wherever feasible.

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