Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

LWA3 Forest Hill district centre and surrounds

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 support the long term vitality and viability of Forest Hill District Centre by enhancing the townscape and other place qualities of the centre and its surrounds, as well as reinforcing its role as a key focal point for commercial, cultural and community activity. They must demonstrate how they will contribute to a coordinated process of town centre improvement that responds positively to the area’s distinctive character. They must also deliver a complementary mix of main town centre uses, along with new housing, whilst ensuring that the centre’s predominant commercial, cultural and community role is maintained and enhanced.

B The growth and evolution of Forest Hill District Centre and its surrounds as a key hub of creative, cultural and community activity will be supported and reinforced by:

  • Designating the Forest Hill Cultural Quarter along with promoting and seeking to protect cultural and creative uses and activities within it, in line with Policy EC18 (Culture and the nighttime economy);
  • Designating the town centre as an area of local significance of night-time economic activity, and strengthening its role as a visitor destination, in line with Policy EC18 (Culture and the night time economy);
  • Promoting Havelock Walk as an important asset with the Cultural Quarter and ensuring development proposals within this location:
    1. Respond positively to its distinctive character and employment function;
    2. Do not result in a net loss of workspace (including workspace associated with authorised live-work development); and
    3. Clearly demonstrate that proposals for live-work development will secure dedicated provision of workspace that is appropriate to the location;
  • Extending the boundary of the Malham Road LSIS to include 118 Stansted Road, along with protecting and enhancing uses within the LSIS that make a positive contribution to the Cultural Quarter; and
  • Promoting and protecting the Horniman Museum and Gardens as a significant cultural asset, along with securing public realm enhancements that improve wayfinding and safe access to it.

C Development proposals must contribute to enhancing the public realm in order to promote and enable walking and cycling within and around the centre, as well as to make it a significantly more accessible, safer, healthier and attractive place. Particular consideration will need to be given to movements along and across:

  • The main junction and major roads, including the South Circular (A205), Dartmouth Road (A2216), Clyde Vale, Perry Vale and Waldram Park Road; and
  • Station approaches and forecourts.

D Development proposals designed to improve the quality of the station underpass (including its visibility, legibility and safe use) will be strongly supported.

E Development proposals must respond positively to the evolving urban character of the town centre and its immediate surrounds. They must be designed to provide for an appropriate transition in scale, bulk, mass, height and character between the commercial core of the centre, its edges and surrounding residential neighbourhoods, taking into account the area’s distinctive townscape, landscape and topography features.

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