Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

LWA1 West Area place principles

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 West Area.

  • The redevelopment of strategic sites, and the renewal of other sites, within and around the area’s linear network of town centres is facilitated to better connect the centres and to secure their long-term vitality and viability; in line with Policy LWA2 (Connected network of centres);
  • New development within and around Forest Hill district town centre supports and reinforces the centre’s role as a key commercial, community and cultural hub, in line with Policy LWA3 (Forest Hill district centre and surrounds);
  • New development is directed to the main corridors of Brockley Road (B218) and Stanstead Road (A205 / South Circular), including for high quality housing, workspace, town centre and community uses, along with supporting infrastructure;
  • New employment development is concentrated within town centres and the Locally Significant Industrial Sites at Endwell Road, Malham Road, Perry Vale, Clyde Vale and Willow Way;
  • Opportunities are taken to deliver new and improved workspace through the intensification of sites and renewal of industrial land, including through the co-location of employment and other compatible uses on selected LSIS, along with improving the environmental quality of employment locations;
  • The Forest Hill Cultural Quarter plays an integral and expanded role in supporting the cultural and creative industries; and
  • Land is safeguarded to secure the delivery of strategic transport infrastructure, including Brockley Station and Interchange, in line with PolicyTR1 (Sustainable transport and movement).

B Development proposals must respond positively to the character and heritage value of established residential areas. This includes the historic character of the area’s neighbourhoods, and particularly their town centres which are defined by their Victorian shopping parades and make an important contribution to local distinctiveness. The historic landscape character, including woodland and topography, is also a defining feature of the West Area, which was once covered by the Great North Wood. Development proposals must maximise opportunities to integrate urban greening measures to respond to and connect the remnants of the woodland, along with protecting and enhancing important views and vistas.

C Development proposals incorporating new or re-purposed workspace should seek to ensure that this provision is designed to accommodate micro, small and medium-sized businesses, to complement and support existing clusters of cultural and creative industries, including in Brockley and Forest Hill.

D The comprehensive redevelopment of sites within Willow Way LSIS will be supported where this retains and enhances industrial capacity and local employment provision, as well as improves the quality of the environment and townscape. Development proposals within the LSIS must ensure the design provides for a positive relationship with Kirkdale Local Centre, particularly to ensure the protection of amenity as well as to maximise opportunities to create safe and legible routes between and around the LSIS and the Local Centre. Development proposals must deliver high quality designs that help to establish a more cohesive, employment-led mixed-use quarter.

E The sensitive intensification of established residential neighbourhoods will be supported where new development responds positively to their distinctive local and historic character, including the landscape setting. Development proposals must have regard to the Small Sites SPD, where appropriate.

F Development proposals must help to ensure the West 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). Consideration should be given to improving connections between parks and open spaces that are located outside of the Borough, but which are within comfortable walking or cycling distance from the West area.

G Development proposals must respond positively to the historic character and setting of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, particularly to support its role as a key visitor destination within London and the southeast. Development proposals within the vicinity of the museum should provide for public realm enhancements to improve way finding and access to and from the museum.

H Development proposals must contribute to delivery of high quality public realm using the Healthy Streets Approach. Particular consideration should be given to enhancements at station entrances and around their approaches and along key movement corridors including Ladywell Road, South Circular (A205), Sydenham Road, Dartmouth Road, Brockley Road/Brockley Rise, and Drakefell Road/Gellatly Road. Development proposals should to contribute to delivery of high quality public realm, particularly on and around approaches to and from train stations, and along key movement routes including Ladywell Road, the South Circular, Sydenham Road, Dartmouth Road, and Brockley Road/ Brockley Rise.

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