Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

QD4 Building heights

Strategic Objectives:

B Housing tailored to the community with genuinely affordable homes,

F Celebrating our local identity.

A Tall buildings are substantially taller than their surroundings and cause a significant change to the skyline. Within Lewisham Tall Buildings are defined as buildings which are 10 storeys or 32.8 meters measured from the ground level to the top of the building (including any rooftop equipment), or greater. Development proposals for tall buildings will be assessed against and must comply with London Plan policy D9 (Tall buildings) and the following:

B Tall buildings should only be developed in locations identified as appropriate for tall buildings on the Policies Map (i.e. Tall Building Suitability Zones). Development proposals for tall buildings outside of these zones will be resisted.

C Within those locations identified as appropriate for tall buildings, the maximum height of buildings shall not normally be more than:

  • 80.8 meters (25 storeys) to 151.2 meters (48 storeys) in Deptford / North Deptford
  • 52.0 meters (16 storeys) to 112.8 meters (35 storeys) in Lewisham Town Centre
  • 39.2 meters (12 storeys) to 64.8 meters (20 storeys) in Catford
  • 64.8 meters (20 storeys) to 96.8m (30 storeys) in Deptford Creekside
  • 32.8 meters (10 storeys) to 48.8 meters (15 storeys) in New Cross and New Cross Gate
  • 32.8 meters (10 storeys) to 39.2 meters (12 storeys) in Bellingham and Lee Green
  • 39.2 meters (12 storeys) to 52.0 meters (16 storeys) in Lower Sydenham / Bell Green proposed opportunity area. Refer to figures 5.3 to 5.10 for further details.

Although maximum heights are provided for each for the Tall Building Suitability Zones, proposals will still be expected to include robust design justifications for the heights proposed. This will include the testing of possible impacts upon key views.

D Development proposals for tall buildings will only be permitted where they are in a Tall Building Suitability Zone, align with the appropriate height ranges set out above and it is demonstrated that the development:

  • Will contribute to delivery of, and is not at odds with, the spatial strategy for the Borough;
  • Is of an exceptionally good design and architectural quality;
  • Is sensitive to the site’s immediate and wider context with reference to Figure 5.2 (Tall Building Sensitivity Plan), including the distinctiveness of Thames Policy Area in line with Policy LNA4 (Thames Policy Area and Deptford Creekside); Conservation Areas; Listed Buildings, The Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site the London View Management Framework, Strategic and Local Views and Landmarks; Areas characterised by consistent building, heights and topography. Some sites within more sensitive areas may still be identified as appropriate for tall buildings further to granular analysis of the sites and their immediate context and sensitivities. This is inclusive of any possible impacts upon existing trees.
  • Will not result in any unacceptable adverse visual, functional, environmental and cumulative impacts, with reference to the requirements of London Plan policy D9 (Tall Buildings);
  • Will make a positive contribution to the townscape and skyline;
  • Will not adversely impact on strategic and local views, vistas and landmarks, including strategic background views, with reference to Policy QD5 (View management);
  • Will preserve or enhance the significance of heritage assets and their setting; and
  • Provides a high quality public realm in line with Policy QD3 (Public realm and connecting places). Where appropriate, development will be required to make provision for free to enter, publicly-accessible areas that are incorporated into the building.

E Development proposals for tall buildings should incorporate sensitively designed measures to ensure public safety at height such as barriers, rails and anti-climb equipment. These must be considered as part of the overall design-led approach and contribute positively to the skyline.

F Tall buildings must be delivered through a masterplan process in order to ensure that they are appropriately located, designed to a high quality standard and effectively managed over the lifetime of the development. The requirements for masterplans are set out in Policy DM3 (Masterplans and comprehensive development).

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