Development with homes and possible shops beside Brockley station submitted

An application has been lodged with Lewisham Council to build a mixed-use development on Mantle Road beside Brockley station.

The site would see 46 flats above commercial spaces including an active frontage beside a bridge over the railway. There are zero “affordable” housing units. Our old friend “viability” is given as the reason.

Thee commercial units are located at street level in total. In terms of design that gap in the building isn’t for parking access but is “above an existing Thames Water easement. The transparency of the rear boundary treatment, offers a window through the easement to the railway line and train movement beyond”.

The site is currently used for skip storage and has been for many years. Back in 2012 designs were drawn up but never progressed.

Transport

Rail services from Southern through the adjacent station have been cut at the behest of government in recent years placing additional stress on London Overground.

Transport for London have mooted running additional services into London Bridge, while a report this week stated that frequency improvements along the East London line are targeted for 2025.

While the design is pretty perfunctory at best there’s much to like with the proposal. You can’t get much better in terms of transport accessibility negating the need for private car use in a congested city.

Residents from 46 flats will aid local business and shops, while the footbridge over the tracks will become safe and more appealing with space opened up to the west and greater visibility.

However zero “affordable” homes – let alone social housing – will raise many eyebrows.

You can view plans by clicking here

Running a site alone takes time and a fair bit of money. Adverts are far from enough to cover it and my living costs as a private renter.