A distinctive “pop-up village” comprised of portable buildings that were supposed to last 60 years is to be demolished by Lewisham Council.

The Place/Ladywell development on Lewisham High Street opened in 2016 with commercial premises and 24 two-bedroom flats above them, used as temporary accommodation. 

Place/Ladywell was meant to be dismantled in 2021 for a permanent development, but the buildings have remained on site and include the Lewisham Donation Hub charity centre, as well as Lewisham Local, which supports voluntary groups.

The buildings, on the site of the old Ladywell Leisure Centre, were designed to be dismantled after a few years and moved to different locations around the borough.

At the time, the flats were said to cost £90,000 each to build, and would have a lifespan of 60 years. But the buildings are already in a poor condition, according to the local website Ladywell Live, which first reported the story.

Modular buildings on main road
Residents, local businesses and community groups are to be found new homes. Image: The Greenwich Wire

Plans for a permanent development on the site are still on the drawing board, and Lewisham said it was “reviewing options”. But 102 homes at the rear of the site were approved last year. The Ladywell Park Gardens development will include 47 council homes and 55 for shared ownership.

Lewisham Council confirmed the buildings were coming down. Its cabinet member for regeneration and planning, James-J Walsh, said: “Place/Ladywell was created as a temporary building on the site of the former Ladywell Leisure Centre, while long term plans were developed. It was intended to be on site for a maximum of four years – ie, until 2021.

“We’ve carried out improvements and repairs to extend its lifespan, however following changes to regulations, recent surveys indicate it’s not economically viable to maintain the building for the long term.

“Earlier this year we wrote to those living in the building to let them know we’ll be vacating the building over the coming months and we’ve allocated two members of staff to support people into alternative accommodation. We’ve also informed the commercial tenants of our plans and are working with them to find alternative premises. We are actively working with Lewisham Donation Hub and Lewisham Local.”

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