Plans for 1,700 flats at Lewisham Shopping Centre set for approval

Plans to knock down Lewisham Shopping Centre and replace it with more than 1,700 new homes and a new mall could take a step forward next week when councillors decide whether or not to approve the scheme.

Lewisham Council’s planning officers are recommending that the borough’s strategic development committee allows the project, with towers of up to 35 storeys, to go ahead when it meets on October 16.

Of the 1,744 homes planned by Landsec, the centre’s owner, just 98 would be for social rent, with 231 at a discounted rent aimed at key workers, all counting as “affordable” housing. All the other homes would be for private rent. 

There would also be up to 661 student rooms and 445 co-living homes, where residents share facilities like kitchens.

As well as the 1970s shopping centre, its car park would be demolished. But the frontages of most of Lewisham High Street’s shops would remain, and the old Citibank tower would be reused for housing. A music venue would be included along with a revived Model Market food court, while there would also be a a rooftop wild meadow and other green spaces.

When the scheme was submitted to the council last year, Landsec admitted that the project was “financially challenging” but would “transform this part of Lewisham” and will create a “new and vibrant community in the heart of the town centre”.

But the scheme faces a range of objectors, including neighbouring Greenwich Council, Sainsbury’s and Primark.

A last-minute campaign to save the centre has also begun, with the South East London People’s Assembly organising a petition and demonstration taking place this Saturday, branding the scheme “build-to-rent landlordism at its worst”.

Greenwich has lodged an objection, citing concerns over the impact of the tall buildings on views from Blackheath, the Greenwich World Heritage Site, Eltham Park and King John’s Walk, the open space behind Eltham Palace. “While the scheme would appear as part of a tall building cluster, it risks harming the open character of Blackheath and the setting of heritage assets,” Greenwich said, according to committee papers.

The Blackheath Society also objected on similar grounds, pointing out that the tallest towers breached limits set in Lewisham’s local plan. Historic England also raised concerns.

Lewisham Cyclists also objected – saying that not enough had been done to ensure that riding in the area would be safe – although its parent group, the London Cycling Campaign, did not respond to the consultation.

Sainsbury’s said it had not been given assurances about its future in Lewisham, while Primark said its concerns about delivery access had not been addressed. 

The leaseholder of the Citibank tower – Guernsey-based Lewisham House No 1 Ltd – has also objected to the scheme. The company has its own plans to develop the tower into a co-living development.

Lewisham House also claims that its scheme is more financially viable than redeveloping the whole centre, and would provide “affordable” homes earlier – but Landsec insists that it the scheme is a “long-term investment” for the company.

There were 105 public objections – many criticising the lack of “affordable” homes and inclusion of student and co-living homes, the removal of the car park and the effect on local infrastructure –  with 637 messages of support.

If approved, work would begin first on the north of the site, including the site occupied by Boots, with blocks of 23 and 13 storeys to be built. Demolition could start in the spring, with Boots found a new home.

But work on the rest – including the “affordable” housing, the conversion of the Citibank tower, new public squares and the new music venue – would start later, with Landsec returning to the council at a later date to confirm details.

The whole project could take 10 years to finish.

Lewisham Council would be given £5 million for wider town centre improvements, while Network Rail would get £500,000 for improvements to Lewisham station – less than the £828,000 it asked for. While TfL has not asked for contributions for more buses, it will get better facilities for bus drivers using the terminal at Molesworth Street.

In addition, Lewisham would get £16.9 million in community infrastructure levy – a pot of cash used for improvements across the borough.  Another £11.1 million would go to City Hall. 

While Lewisham planners conceded there would be some harm to views from Blackheath, they recommend that councillors back the scheme, saying: “The development plan supports tall buildings in this location, and the proposed massing, while exceeding recommended maximum heights, is considered acceptable in the context of the site’s strategic role and the public benefits secured.”

The original mall opened as the Riverdale Centre in 1977, with a generation of SE Londoners growing up with its bright colours, playground, hippo-shaped rubbish bins and a collection of Swiss-style figures at the heart of the centre that revolved on the hour. These were swept away in a later revamp of the centre. Some parts of it, including the Riverdale Hall, have not been used for many years.

Lewisham’s strategic development committee is due to make a final decision next Thursday.

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