London Councils guide to development in the city of opportunity
ENTERPRISE Lewisham is the emerging borough for the creative and digital sector, which has seen employment growth of 71% over the past five years, faster than the 34% for the capital. Goldsmiths University of London and our vibrant art and cultural sector provide talent, innovation, and access to specialist and knowledge-transfer facilities which fuel business growth. Major regeneration is providing modern purpose-built office, creative studio and workshop spaces in easy reach of central London, at half the cost. Key business sectors in the borough include professional support services, digital, computing, virtual reality, augmented reality, IT, design, advertising, fashion manufacturing, crafts, and contemporary and fine arts. Economic growth is encouraged via town centre regeneration in New Cross, Deptford, Catford and Lewisham town centre, with TfL’s proposed Bakerloo line extension to Lewisham providing huge opportunities for future growth.
GROWTH Good growth involves character-led placemaking in the form of new community facilities and public realm. The Lewisham Gateway project, for example, includes around 800 homes, a park, town square, shops, eateries, a cinema and bars. This is complemented by nearby Loampit Vale housing development which incorporates the awardwinning Glass Mill Leisure Centre.
QUALITY OF LIFE Lewisham has a rich heritage with 28 conservation areas, 364 nationally listed entries, 301 locally listed buildings, and areas of archaeological priority. Lewisham parks are among the best in the UK with 17 green spaces recognised by the Green Flag Award scheme in July 2017. High quality designs around existing public realm in Lewisham are encouraged, enhancing pedestrian and cycling links between rail stations, town centres and surrounding areas, strengthening the borough’s character. They include Deptford Market Yard which won a London Planning Award.
KEY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY
CATFORD The Catford masterplan outlines the huge opportunities there are to transform Catford Town Centre, bringing about the improvements that people want to see. The council owns a large number of key sites here, including the Catford Centre, Milford Towers, the Town Hall and Civic Suite and Laurence House.
OTHER KEY OPPORTUNITIES + NEW CROSS GATE/DEPTFORD New Cross & Deptford is designated a Creative Enterprise Zone. Masterplanning is also underway, centred around a proposed Bakerloo line station at New Cross Gate. This should help boost the local economy, bring forward major mixed-use development and improve the A2 Corridor.
+ BAKERLOO LINE TfL’s proposed Bakerloo line extension will bring the tube to the borough for the very first time, and new links to central London. A station at New Cross Gate integrated with the current station will allow passengers to change to/from London Overground and National Rail services. At Lewisham town centre, a Bakerloo line station would interchange with DLR and National Rail services, and increase connectivity to the surrounding town centre. There are also proposals for a second phase, which would see the tube go beyond Lewisham and on to Ladywell, Catford and Sydenham which would bring many benefits to the south of the borough.
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