Plans that could thwart current proposals to build the Bakerloo Line extension through New Cross have been published by developers.
Transport for London is planning to extend the Tube line from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate.
But A2Dominion and Mount Anvil, along with Sainsbury’s, have applied to build a new superstore and 1,161 flats in blocks of between five and 33 storeys by New Cross Gate station.
The developers have suggested TfL build the extension on another site in New Cross instead.
Lewisham Council has backed the Bakerloo Line extension, including plans for a new station at New Cross Gate.
The developers’ plans would see the current Sainsbury’s supermarket, petrol station and three retail warehouses – Dreams, Harvey’s Furniture and TK Maxx – knocked down.
According to the planning statement: “The applicant remains of the view that there are more suitable alternative sites for the new BLE station within the New Cross Gate area – in particular, the vacant site located on Goodwood Road.”
The developers say that TfL’s current plans would result in job losses from Sainsbury’s and its neighbouring stores and would mean that no development could take place on the site until at least 2031.
“The existing Sainsbury’s store is a popular convenience facility and is viewed by Sainsbury’s as performing well,” the developers say.
“However, the store is now over 20 years old and no longer reflects modern retailing standards and customer expectation.
“Policy places a priority on making as much use as possible of previously developed or brownfield land and ensuring new development supports the role of town centres.
“There is also specific recognition of the opportunity to deliver new development on under-utilised and underdeveloped supermarket and car park sites,” according to the planning statement.
The developers say 24.85% of the development will be for “affordable rent”, while 10.15% will be for shared ownership.
A local campaign, the New Cross Gate Action Group, has been set up to fight the plans.
Plans can be found on Lewisham Council’s planning website, reference DC/19/114283.
Grainne Cuffe is the Local Democracy Reporter for Lewisham. The Local Democracy Reporter Service is a BBC-funded initiative to ensure councils are covered properly in local media.
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