Key Points
- Former Catford Police Station in South London will be converted into 63 new flats.
- Plans approved unanimously by Lewisham councillors on November 25, 2025.
- The housing association Phoenix Community Housing will lead the project.
- The site was purchased by Phoenix in February 2022; initial plans for 65 homes reduced to 63.
- The flats will be 100% affordable housing.
- Accommodation: 29 social rent flats, 34 intermediate rent flats.
- Mix includes 26 one-bedroom, 29 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom flats.
- The locally listed main police station building will be retained and converted.
- Ancillary buildings will be demolished and replaced by two new blocks (4-6 storeys).
- Some local residents opposed the height and density, citing privacy concerns.
- No objections from Transport for London, Thames Water, Historic England, the Metropolitan Police, or other key agencies.
- The scheme was supported by Phoenix’s Development Manager Steve Connor.
What are the plans for the former Catford Police Station?
A former police station in South London, Catford Police Station, will be transformed into 63 flats following the unanimous approval of plans by Lewisham councillors on the evening of November 25, 2025. The resident-led housing association, Phoenix Community Housing, submitted the proposal to partially demolish the site on Bromley Road to make way for the new development. This redevelopment aims to provide much-needed affordable housing in the area, with all flats designated as affordable housing stock.
Who is leading the redevelopment project?
As reported by a journalist from MyLondon News, Phoenix Community Housing is spearheading the project. The not-for-profit organisation purchased the site in February 2022 with initial plans to build 65 homes, which have since been revised to 63 units. Phoenix aims to retain and convert the main locally listed police station building while demolishing ancillary structures to be replaced by two new blocks between four and six storeys tall.
Steve Connor, Development Manager at Phoenix, stated in the council meeting:
“We are very excited about the proposals for Catford Police Station and we have worked hard over the last couple of years to provide a design that retains part of the locally listed police station building fronting Bromley Road – whilst responding to the local context and providing 63 affordable homes. As part of this, Phoenix takes the views of its residents and the local community seriously and we are committed to working collaboratively on our new homes programme.”
What is the housing composition of the new development?
The scheme will deliver 100% affordable housing. The flats will split into 29 social rent units and 34 intermediate rent flats. The accommodation mix includes 26 one-bedroom flats, 29 two-bedroom flats, and eight three-bedroom properties. Notably, all three-bedroom flats will fall under the social rent tenure, ensuring larger families have access to affordable housing.
What objections or support did the plans receive?
During the public consultation phase, the plans attracted 10 objections and a petition with 37 signatures, primarily concerning the height and density of the new buildings. Some local residents raised concerns at the council meeting about the six-storey block’s height, describing it as “completely out of scale” with the surrounding area and raising privacy issues.
In response, the council planning officer cited nearby developments, such as the Passfields Estate, which comprises buildings up to five storeys tall, to contextualise the proposed building heights. Importantly, there were no formal objections from key organisations including Transport for London, Thames Water, Historic England, the Metropolitan Police’s Designing Out Crime team, the London Fire Brigade, the Environment Agency, or Active Travel England.
What is the significance of the former police station’s closure and current use?
Catford Police Station closed at the end of 2017. Since the closure, the building was occupied by Live In Guardians, individuals permitted to live in disused properties at a lower rate in return for guarding the premises. The redevelopment marks a significant transition from a public service building to a residential community hub, aiming to address housing needs in South London through a community-focused housing association.
The unanimous approval by Lewisham councillors signals strong political will to support affordable housing projects, particularly those that respect local heritage by retaining important listed buildings while integrating modern housing solutions.
