Land Securities has updated its grand plan for redeveloping the Lewisham shopping centre after consulting local people last year and is now seeking public feedback on the latest proposals.
A comprehensive display, some great models of the proposed development and people on hand to talk you through many of the changes are all to be found at unit number 25 in the shopping centre next to XO Bikes.
The updated scheme, which will take around 10 years to complete, includes a new “model market” square alongside a music venue in the southern section of the development where there will also be new pathways up to the park. LandSec has also decided to retain more of the older buildings along the high street, including the Wetherspoon’s pub.
Property developer LandSec is aiming to build 1,700 new homes; shops, restaurants and public spaces; and a new park (the Levesham Meadow) the size of a football pitch on top of a redeveloped shopping centre.
The whole redevelopment will be managed in three stages. First the Northern Square and its associated housing – its the arrival point to the new centre when crossing Rennell Street from the north.
The square could include lots of trees and planting, or could be more open to allow for large events, or could be a balance of the two. Around the square will be shops and places to eat.
It will be open 24 hours a day and allow people to cross from the High Street towards the station or towards to Cornmill Gardens.
There’ll be new homes around the square too and a new entrance to the shopping centre. Second will be the southern section and the proposed new model market.
The final phase will be the park and the new shopping centre. Managing the whole development in stages will mean shops can be moved as the redevelopment of the site proceeds.
The exhibition at No 25 is well worth visiting. This development along with the covered market and new library hub will represent a huge transformation of central Lewisham.
Lots of details and your chance to comment on the proposals can be found on the Commonplace website at https://centrallewisham.commonplace.is/
Lewisham’s Grand Design
So it’s a grand design for the Lewisham Shopping centre with a new public park on top of the centre, 1,700 new homes, a cultural hub, music venue … and of course shops.
The master plan for Land Securities redevelopment of the centre will be presented on November 11 and 12 at the shopping centre in unit No 25 next to XO bikes.
The exhibition will feature a display of the history of Lewisham town centre through the centuries and Goldsmiths University’s In Living Memory Project. It will also outline work carried out with community groups on the masterplan.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able see the plans firsthand and give feedback on the proposals.
The heart of the development will be a covered shopping centre with a range of shops surrounded by open streets and public realm. The newsletter says the “plans will help transform and support the High Street and the market as well as create local jobs”.
There will be a new venue for music, 1,700 homes, and a new cultural hub with space for communities and groups to hire for events or meetings.
Event Launch: No. 25 Lewisham Shopping Centre, next to XO bikes Saturday November 11 11.30am – 5pm; Sunday November 12 11.00am – 4.00pm
The latest community newsletter on the development says it will “offer a safer environment for pedestrians and shoppers” with new walking routes and better connections to the surrounding area. The proposed plans also include a public square and other smaller meeting spaces.