Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

LSA3 Bell Green and Lower Sydenham

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 The designation of an Opportunity Area at Bell Green and Lower Sydenham in a future review of the London Plan will be strongly supported by the Council.

B To help realise the growth and regeneration potential of Bell Green and Lower Sydenham, and to ensure that new development within the area supports the delivery of the spatial strategy for the Borough, a Supplementary Planning Document and/or Masterplan will be prepared through consultation with the local community. This will complement the Local Plan in setting a long-term development and investment framework for the area.

C To ensure that regeneration in Bell Green and Lower Sydenham is delivered in a coordinated manner, development proposals must:

  • Ensure that development will not preclude or delay the delivery of the Bakerloo Line Extension, and will not lead to excessive cost in the delivery or operation of the Bakerloo Line, with reference to Policy TR2 (Bakerloo line extension);
  • Optimise the capacity of sites having regard to future improvements in Public Transport Access Levels enabled by the BLE and other transport infrastructure;
  • Deliver the comprehensive redevelopment of the former Bell Green gas holders, Bell Green Retail Park and Sainsbury’s Bell Green, and through this process make provision for a residential-led mixed-use quarter with a distinctive urban character that is supported by a new Local Centre, which provides a focus for new employment floorspace and job creation opportunities, the scale of which is informed by a Retail Impact Assessment;
  • Protect the employment function of the LSIS at Stanton Square and Worsley Bridge Road, whilst exploring opportunities to deliver new high quality workspace, including through the colocation of employment and other compatible uses;
  • Deliver public realm improvements to help reduce car use and barriers to movement, improve permeability and enhance the walking and cycle environment, particularly around the Bell Green gyratory and along major roads, including the A212 (Sydenham Road, Bell Green Lane, Perry Hill), A2218 (Stanton Way, Southend Lane) and Worsley Bridge Road;
  • Enable the reconfiguration, re-routing and/ or redesign of roads where this is necessary to support the area masterplan; and
  • Ensure adequate provision of infrastructure, including community facilities, taking into account existing need and any additional demand arising from new development.

D Development proposals should contribute to enhancing the place qualities of Bell Green and Lower Sydenham, including by:

  • Ensuring that the layout and design of development improves permeability and circulation within the local area, and promotes the area’s integration with surrounding neighbourhoods and places. This includes enhanced walking routes and cycleways to Sydenham town centre and new connections to Bellingham, over the Pool River where feasible;
  • Integrating new publicly accessible open space into development;
  • Responding positively to heritage assets and their setting, including the Livesey Hall War Memorial and gardens; and
  • Maximising opportunities to improve the ecological quality and amenity value of the river environment, including by enhancing access to Riverview Walk and Pool River Linear Park, and securing views to the Pool River.

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