Key Points
- London Square has exchanged contracts with Clarion Housing Group to deliver 261 affordable homes at the former Leegate Shopping Centre site in Lee Green, Lewisham.
- The affordable homes comprise 149 for social rent and 112 for shared ownership, all meeting London Plan space standards and featuring high energy efficiency.
- This partnership builds on a multi-year collaboration that has delivered 1,539 homes across London, including in Twickenham, Neasden, Croydon, and Staines.
- The overall development will provide 620 new homes, a new medical centre, community facilities, supermarket, restaurants, cafés, and extensive public realm improvements.
- London Square acquired the site in March 2025 and revised the scheme to increase affordable housing from 36% to 46% by habitable room, adding to local housing needs amid 11,500 households on Lewisham’s social housing waiting list.
- In July 2025, London Square submitted a Section 73 planning application to amend the November 2024 consent, boosting affordable homes through the Clarion partnership.
- Adam Lawrence, CEO of London Square, stated: “Our partnership with Clarion is central to ensuring high quality affordable homes are delivered at scale across London. The development is a major regeneration project that will bring new homes, community infrastructure and vitality back to this long underused site.”
- Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer of Clarion Housing Group, added: “London urgently needs more affordable homes, and it’s great to be bringing forward new developments in the capital at a time when building here remains challenging. With 11,500 families currently on Lewisham’s housing waiting list, schemes like this are vital in helping more people access safe, secure and genuinely affordable homes in the communities they want to live in.”
- The site, derelict for years, has a history of failed developments, including a 2015 approval with an Asda superstore that did not proceed, and a 2023 outline approval for 562 homes with a 15-storey tower.
- Clarion already manages over 1,500 homes in Lewisham, including at Merridale and Leybridge estates, strengthening its local presence.
- London Square’s 2026 pipeline includes 25 schemes across London for 5,600 homes, with 40% affordable.
- The project emphasises sustainability, high-quality landscaping, public squares, improved pedestrian and cycle routes, and access to Blackheath Common and Greenwich Park.
Lewisham (South London News) March 13, 2026 – London Square has exchanged contracts with Clarion Housing Group to deliver 261 affordable homes as part of the regeneration of the former Leegate Shopping Centre in Lee Green. This milestone advances a long-awaited mixed-use development on the derelict 1960s site, promising 620 new homes alongside vital community infrastructure. The deal underscores ongoing efforts to tackle Lewisham’s acute housing shortage, with 11,500 households on the social housing waiting list.
What Is the London Square-Clarion Partnership About?
The partnership centres on Clarion managing the full affordable housing provision at the Leegate site. As detailed on London Square’s official site, the agreement covers 261 homes: 149 for social rent and 112 for shared ownership. These units meet London Plan space standards, are highly energy efficient, and include high-quality private and communal amenity spaces.
This collaboration forms part of a decade-long relationship between the two organisations. Over the years, they have delivered 1,539 homes across London, with projects in Twickenham, Neasden, Croydon, and Staines.
A LinkedIn post from London Square highlights a related milestone of 570 affordable homes delivered together, exemplified by Twickenham Square’s 212 homes offering 50% affordable housing via London Affordable Rent and Shared Ownership.
As reported by the London Square team in their LSQ Life announcement, the deal was exchanged recently, marking progress on a site acquired by London Square in March 2025.
Why Was the Leegate Shopping Centre Redeveloped?
The Leegate Shopping Centre in Lee Green, SE12, had stood derelict for years, becoming a blight on the local area straddling Lewisham and Greenwich boroughs.
The Greenwich Wire reported in 2023 that Lewisham Council approved plans to demolish it and build 562 homes, including a prominent 15-storey tower, ending a saga that began with a 2015 approval for a scheme featuring an Asda superstore by developer St Modwen, which never materialised.
London Square purchased the site as its third owner, promising construction start in 2025. In July 2025, as covered by Akanksh Soni of Estates Gazette, London Square Developments submitted a Section 73 planning application to Lewisham Council.
This amended the extant November 2024 permission, increasing affordable housing from 36.2% to 46.3% on a habitable room basis—adding 89 homes—via the partnership with Clarion Housing Association.
London Square’s vision, per the Estates Gazette report, aims to reinvigorate Lee Green with a vibrant mix of retail, commercial, community, and residential uses, including high-quality landscaping, new public squares, improved pedestrian and cycle routes, and sustainable transport options.
What Will the Development Include?
The transformative scheme will deliver 620 new homes in total, blending private and affordable tenures. Beyond housing, it features a new medical centre, community facilities, a supermarket, restaurants, cafés, and extensive public realm enhancements. The site offers strong transport links and proximity to Blackheath Common and Greenwich Park.
Clarion will oversee the 261 affordable units, bolstering its portfolio in Lewisham where it already manages more than 1,500 homes, including Merridale and Leybridge estates. As noted in a brief by BEn News, the deal targets Lee Green specifically for these affordable homes.
London Square revised the plans post-acquisition to prioritise affordability, responding to local needs with 3,000 households in temporary accommodation. The project aligns with London Square’s 2026 pipeline of 25 schemes delivering 5,600 homes, 40% affordable.
What Have Key Figures Said?
Adam Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer of London Square, emphasised the partnership’s importance. As quoted on the company’s site:
“Our partnership with Clarion is central to ensuring high quality affordable homes are delivered at scale across London. The development is a major regeneration project that will bring new homes, community infrastructure and vitality back to this long underused site. We are delighted to be moving ahead with a partner who shares our commitment to creating quality, safe and modern homes alongside significant social impact.”
Richard Cook, Chief Development Officer at Clarion Housing Group, highlighted the urgency. He stated:
“London urgently needs more affordable homes, and it’s great to be bringing forward new developments in the capital at a time when building here remains challenging. With 11,500 families currently on Lewisham’s housing waiting list, schemes like this are vital in helping more people access safe, secure and genuinely affordable homes in the communities they want to live in.”
No direct quotes from council officials appear in the sourced coverage, but the amendments were submitted to Lewisham Council, indicating ongoing regulatory support.
What Is the History of the Site’s Ownership?
Leegate’s redevelopment has been protracted. The Greenwich Wire detailed in 2025 that London Square became the third developer after previous failures. St Modwen’s 2015 plan stalled, and an earlier iteration did not advance.
London Square’s March 2025 acquisition shifted momentum, leading to plan revisions and the Clarion deal. Whole Life Carbon echoed the exchange of contracts in its coverage, framing it as regeneration for South-East London.
How Does This Address Local Housing Needs?
Lewisham faces severe shortages, with 11,500 on the waiting list and 3,000 in temporary accommodation. The jump to 46% affordable housing—261 units managed by Clarion—directly aids this. Social rent homes target low-income families, while shared ownership supports key workers.
The scheme’s energy efficiency and amenity spaces enhance liveability. London Square’s broader commitment, via 40% affordable in its pipeline, positions it as a key player amid London’s housing crisis.
What Are the Broader Impacts?
Regenerating a derelict site will boost vitality in Lee Green, improving public spaces and connectivity. Community facilities and retail will serve residents, complementing nearby green spaces. Sustainability features promote active travel.
This aligns with regional efforts, distinct from Landsec’s separate £1.5 billion Lewisham Shopping Centre redevelopment approved in 2025, which adds homes and jobs centrally.
