Key Points
- Lewisham Council’s strategic development committee is scheduled to decide on the redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre on October 16, 2025, with planning officers recommending approval.
- The proposal by Landsec involves demolishing the 1970s-era shopping centre and constructing 1,744 homes, including 98 for social rent and 231 for discounted rent for key workers, alongside 661 student rooms and 445 co-living units.
- The development includes a new mall, a music venue, a rooftop wildflower meadow, and the retention of lower-rise buildings along Lewisham High Street, with the Citibank tower to be repurposed for housing.
- The project has drawn opposition from Sainsbury’s, Primark, Greenwich Council, the Blackheath Society, Historic England, and the leaseholder of the Citibank tower, Lewisham House No 1 Ltd, citing concerns over heritage, infrastructure, and financial viability.
- A total of 105 public objections were recorded, primarily focused on the limited number of genuinely affordable homes and the loss of 776 parking spaces, while 637 public messages supported the scheme.
- If approved, construction would begin in the north of the site in spring 2026, with the full project expected to take up to 10 years to complete.
- The development would generate £16.9 million in community infrastructure levy for Lewisham Council and £5 million for wider town centre improvements, with additional contributions to Network Rail and City Hall.
What is the proposed redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre?
As reported by Greenwich Wire, Landsec, the owner of Lewisham Shopping Centre, has submitted plans to demolish the existing 1970s complex and redevelop the 17-acre site into a mixed-use urban quarter. The scheme, which has been recommended for approval by Lewisham Council’s planning officers, includes the construction of 1,744 homes, with only 98 designated for social rent and 231 offered at discounted rates for key workers, all classified as “affordable” under current definitions. The remaining units would be for private rent, alongside 661 student rooms and 445 co-living homes where residents share facilities such as kitchens.
The development would also feature a new retail mall, a music venue, and the revival of the Model Market food court, while preserving the frontages of most shops along Lewisham High Street. A rooftop wildflower meadow and other green spaces are planned to enhance biodiversity and public amenity. The Citibank tower, a prominent local landmark, would be repurposed for residential use rather than demolished.
Why is the redevelopment facing opposition from local and regional stakeholders?
As detailed by Greenwich Wire, the proposal has encountered resistance from a range of organisations and individuals. Greenwich Council has formally objected, arguing that the proposed towers—some reaching up to 35 storeys—would harm the open character of Blackheath and the setting of the Greenwich World Heritage Site, Eltham Park, and King John’s Walk. The Blackheath Society echoed these concerns, noting that the tallest buildings exceed height limits set in Lewisham’s local plan, while Historic England has also raised heritage-related objections.
Sainsbury’s has expressed uncertainty about its future presence in Lewisham, stating it has not received adequate assurances from Landsec, while Primark has highlighted unresolved issues regarding delivery access to the site. The leaseholder of the Citibank tower, Guernsey-based Lewisham House No 1 Ltd, has objected on financial grounds, claiming its own co-living development plan for the tower is more viable and would deliver affordable housing sooner. The group also argues that Landsec’s broader redevelopment is financially unproven, despite the company describing it as a “long-term investment”.
How are local residents and advocacy groups responding to the plans?
According to Greenwich Wire, a grassroots campaign has emerged in opposition to the redevelopment, led by the South East London People’s Assembly. The group has launched a petition and organised a demonstration scheduled for Saturday, branding the project “build-to-rent landlordism at its worst”. Lewisham Cyclists has also objected, warning that the plans do not sufficiently prioritise safe cycling infrastructure, although the London Cycling Campaign did not formally respond to the consultation.
Public feedback to the council included 105 objections, many of which criticised the low proportion of genuinely affordable housing, the removal of 776 car parking spaces, and the potential strain on local infrastructure. In contrast, 637 messages of support were submitted, reflecting divided community sentiment. The original shopping centre, opened in 1977 as the Riverdale Centre, holds nostalgic value for many residents, with its distinctive features such as revolving Swiss-style figures and hippo-shaped bins now long removed.
What are the financial and infrastructural implications of the redevelopment?
As reported by Greenwich Wire, the project is expected to generate significant financial contributions for public infrastructure. Lewisham Council would receive £5 million for wider town centre improvements and £16.9 million in community infrastructure levy, a funding mechanism used for local upgrades. An additional £11.1 million would be directed to City Hall, while Network Rail would receive £500,000 for enhancements to Lewisham station, though this falls short of the £828,000 it had requested. Transport for London (TfL) would benefit from improved facilities for bus drivers at Molesworth Street, despite not seeking funding for additional bus services.
Landsec acknowledged in its submission that the project is “financially challenging” but maintains that it will “transform this part of Lewisham” and create a “new and vibrant community in the heart of the town centre”. Construction would begin in spring 2026 on the northern section of the site, including the current Boots unit, with demolition of the main centre to follow. The full build-out is projected to take up to 10 years, with later phases requiring further council approvals.
What is the next step in the approval process?
Lewisham’s strategic development committee is set to convene on October 16, 2025, to make a final decision on the application. Planning officers have recommended approval, stating that while the development exceeds recommended height limits, it aligns with the site’s strategic role and delivers substantial public benefits. The outcome of the vote will determine whether one of south London’s most significant urban regeneration projects moves forward, reshaping the town centre for decades to come.
