Strategic Objectives:

A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,

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 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 South Area.

B Development proposals within the South Area must demonstrate how they will help to tackle inequalities and the social, economic and environmental barriers that contribute to deprivation, in line with Policies LSA2 (Strategic Area for Regeneration) and LSA3 (Bell Green and Lower Sydenham).

C Development proposals must optimise the use of land taking into account the Bakerloo line extension and other infrastructure that will enable significant improvements to transport access in the South Area. This includes the inclusive access arrangements that will be secured, through new development, for the Bakerloo Line extension station at Lower Sydenham. The Council will seek that development is appropriately phased in order to ensure there is adequate infrastructure capacity in place, including transport and community infrastructure, to cope with the additional demands generated by new development, in line with other Local Plan policies.

D Development proposals must respond positively to distinctive and historic character of Southend Village and its surrounds. They should seek opportunities to enhance the unique place qualities, commercial and community functions of the Village, with reference to Policy LSA3 (A21 Corridor / Bromley Road).

E Opportunities should be taken to direct new investment to the established residential neighbourhoods of Bellingham and Downham, including new high quality housing, provision of community infrastructure and public realm improvements. The sensitive intensification of these neighbourhoods will be supported where new development responds positively to their distinctive local and historic character. This includes the predominant garden city and cottage estate character associated with the London County Council estates.

F Development proposals must respond positively to the role of Downham District Centre in supporting local neighbourhoods and communities, particularly for day-to-day shopping and service needs. A wide range of commercial, leisure, community and cultural uses will be supported within the centre in order to secure its long-term vitality and viability. Development proposals will be supported where they:

G Bellingham is designated a Local Centre reflecting the role it plays in the provision of local shops, services and community facilities, along with its accessible location near Bellingham station and the A21 Corridor. To help secure the long-term vitality and viability of the centre, development proposals must be designed to:

H Development proposals must contribute to inclusive, socially cohesive and mixed neighbourhoods and communities, including by protecting family housing and ensuring there is no harmful overconcentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation, with reference to Policy HO8 (Housing with shared facilities).

I Development proposals must help to ensure the South 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). They should maximise opportunities to enhance or introduce new cycleways, particularly in the established residential areas with wider street layouts.

J Public realm and access improvements should be introduced along the A21 Corridor / Bromley Road (including active frontages uses along the edge of the Bromley Road retail park and the bus garage) and in Bellingham town centre (including active frontages and shopfront improvements to the parade of shops to the east of Bellingham station and on Randlesdown Road).

K The Council will work with Network Rail and other stakeholders to investigate the feasibility of delivering improvements to the bridge at Southend Lane to address issues of safety and movement within the area, including options for widening the bridge and increasing its height.

L The South Area’s network of green infrastructure, including open spaces, will be protected and enhanced, in line with other Local Plan policies. Proposals should seek to deliver improvements in access, inclusion and connectivity between open spaces, in order to meet the specific objectives of encouraging healthier lifestyles, addressing the causes of local health inequalities and enhancing the social cohesion between communities. Investment at Beckenham Place Park will continue to be supported to ensure the park is maintained as a high quality open space of regional significance, and a key leisure and visitor destination in London and the wider southeast. Development proposals within the immediate vicinity of the park should provide for enhanced legibility, wayfinding and access to and from its entrances, and be designed having regard to the park’s landscape and historic setting. This includes consideration for the un-adopted walkway on Bromley Road and other links at the east side of the park. The Council will work with stakeholders to deliver flood alleviation measures at the park, in line with the River Corridor Improvement Plan SPD.

M The river valley network is a defining feature of the South Area which development proposals must respond positively to by:

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