Lewisham shopping centre rebuild plans evolve
Plans to demolish and rebuild Lewisham shopping centre have seen some changes as a consultation gets underway.
Developer LandSec have been drawing up plans for the site with an outline planning application expected shortly. That should also include detailed plans for two plots.
In the interim, the company now proposes a new food, culture and music hub at the south of the overall site.
Plans have also evolved in this area with a proposal to demolish the Wetherspoons now off the table.
Landsec’s land ownership extends to High Street facing properties as well as the 1970s shopping centre. A number will be retained.
Areas to the north of the site will see a new square opposite Lewisham Gateway which is now approaching completion.
The image below is taken looking north at the future square.
The former Citibank building seen to the left will remain and see refurbishment. Meanwhile the car park will be eventually demolished.
A prior consultation saw 1,400 attended sessions and there are proposals for “a new not-for-profit music venue and other cultural and community facilities”.
To facilitate such a located, Landsec claim they will “accelerate demolition in the south of the shopping centre” where a former Argos was located.
This area is close to Molesworth street and the entrance ramp to Lewisham car park.
Ultimately the rebuild will see up to 2,500 homes (Landsec state 1,700 in consultation but 2,500 in company reports). The difference could account for some being student accommodation or the “affordable” element.
A shopping centre replacement would be built with a green space on top, while new through routes would be created.
Note the above image isn’t definitive but indicative of general massing.
One of the biggest benefits will be easier access from various areas to and from Lewisham DLR and Southeastern station.
The new pedestrian through-route to the north at Lewisham Gateway phase two also helps there.
All eyes now on Lewisham Council’s Planning Portal for when those plans are uploaded incorporating detailed designs at two plots (N1 and N2) and outline plans for the rest.
In addition, specific plans for the music and food area to the south.
I am looking forward to the final plans. Then I hope the planning department will not allow the planning application to drag on for months and months before granting planning commission. So work can start on the site. I believe it will really help to boost the area around Lewisham High Street.
Will we still have a shopping centre? The shopping centre is pretty much the heart of the community! Everyone’s everyday is based around Lewisham high street, from grocery stores to everyday living stores. We need them as a community.
Shopping centre stays.
Yeah we don’t want the shoppin centre to go. Inside iss nice n clean on ere n thass the best part abahrt it. The igh street is full of rubbish but iss all nice inside so leave our shops alone on ere.