Long-awaited plans to knock down Lewisham Shopping Centre have been submitted to the council – with about 1,700 homes, 661 student rooms and 445 co-living spaces planned.
A new shopping centre with a rooftop wild meadow, and a replacement for the Model Market food court are also planned along with blocks of up to 35 storeys tall.
But just 6 per cent of the new homes would be for those on Lewisham’s 10,000-strong housing waiting list, with another 14 per cent at discounted rents, aimed at key workers. The rest would either be for private sale or rent.
Documents submitted to the council say the scheme is “financially challenging” but will include “a wider package of local benefits” that will “transform this part of Lewisham” and will create a new and vibrant community in the heart of the town centre”.
Landsec-U+I, which is behind the scheme, says its plans would boost the local economy by £160 million. Many of the plans were outlined last year with the company first announcing plans to knock down the old centre in 2021.
The towers would be built along Molesworth Street while the frontages of historic buildings along the high street, such as the old Woolworth store, would be kept. Lewisham House – the old Citibank headquarters – would be extended and converted into new homes.
Landsec U+I said it hoped its plans, which feature pedestrianised streets through the new centre would open up the town centre, taking inspiration from how the area looked before the current mall and car park opened in 1977.
The open space would have 300 trees, with the meadow larger than a football pitch.
The company also said it hoped to connect the area better with Lewisham station, after the area was cut off by redevelopment in the Nineties to accommodate the Docklands Light Railway.
Jon Watson, the development Director for LandsecU+I, said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people who live in and around Lewisham town centre and across the wider borough.
“Right from the start of our journey to rethink the centre we heard loud and clear from thousands of locals what mattered most to them: Better housing for everyone; More green spaces; Music and culture; More places to eat and hang out; A better mix of shops with more choice; A place where everyone can feel welcome and safe. The final designs reflect all of this and more.”
Last month Landsec-U+I submitted plans to demolish the closed Argos store to the south of the shopping centre to create a street food space to replace the old Model Market street food area, which closed in 2019. In the final plans the New Model Market would be next to a new music venue.
If the company is given permission for the wider plans, the first area to be demolished would be at the north of the shopping centre, including Boots and the long-closed Riverdale Hall. These would be replaced with two blocks containing 119 homes.
Landsec would then submit more detailed proposals for the rest of the site to Lewisham Council.
The plans come a few weeks after the developer Muse announced it had finally finshed Lewisham Gateway, close to Lewisham station, 20 years after plans were first put in place. Lewisham Council is currently working on revamping the high street, including adding a roof to the market.
Full plans, including the design and access statement which contains more details, are on the Lewisham Council planning website. Councillors are expected to make a decision next year.
LandSec is also asking for public feedback at morethanaplace.com.
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