Lewisham raises housing target by 10% in bold new growth plan
Lewisham Council has officially adopted its new Local Plan, setting a clear and ambitious vision for the sustainable and fair growth in the borough through to 2040.
Rooted in the principle of putting residents first and Good Growth, the plan provides a framework for planning and investment that will guide how homes, jobs, town centres, infrastructure and green spaces are delivered over the next 15 years.
After nearly two years of rigorous public and independent examination, the Council adopted the new Local Plan after agreeing to modifications at Full Council on Wednesday 16 July 2025. This milestone means Lewisham is now in the top quarter of local authorities with an up-to-date Local Plan.
The new Local Plan gives the Council a framework for managing growth, so that it is done sustainably, fairly and follows principles of ‘Good Growth’. Practically, it will ensure development and investment meet local needs and aspirations. The plan includes policies and guidelines that will be used to determine planning applications, together with the London Plan and Neighbourhood Plans.
As per the plan, the Council has agreed to increase its housing target by 9.5 percent, bringing the total to 30,376 homes over the 15-year period from 2025/26 to 2039/40, meeting both local needs and national policy requirements. This includes the London Plan baseline of 1,667 homes per year, a 20 per cent buffer (380 homes/year) for the first five years due to underperformance by developers in the 2023 Housing Delivery Test, and an additional 231 homes/year for the remainder of the plan to address the borough’s housing backlog.
The Local Plan highlights key regeneration opportunities such as Convoys Wharf (a 20.46-hectare brownfield site allocated for 3,500 homes and 47,700m² of employment space) and Lewisham Shopping Centre (a 6.38-hectare site earmarked for 1,579 homes, 20,097m² of employment space, and 60,291m² of town centre floorspace). It also outlines ways of unlocking regeneration barriers, such as using open land to reroute the A205 South Circular Road, to address long-standing infrastructure issues and improve movement and accessibility in Catford.
In addition, the plan sets out the longer-term opportunities offered by investment in the Bakerloo Line Extension to Lewisham, Sydenham beyond. This will not only secure improved sustainable travel and connectivity to public transport but will also unlock thousands of homes, create thousands of jobs and boost the local economy.
In June of this year, the draft of the new Local Plan was deemed sound by the Inspectors, subject to a series of modifications that were agreed by the Council this week. These modifications include clarifying strategic policies and maps, linking the overarching vision to key growth areas such as Catford, Lewisham, New Cross, and Deptford, and increasing housing targets with a 20 per cent buffer to address historic under-delivery in the housing sector. The plan also strengthens affordable housing policies in line with the London Plan, commits to an early review of provisions for Gypsy and Traveller communities, and revises employment land policies, space expectations, and future retail strategies. Additionally, it updates green space and heritage policies, introduces policies that will help secure high quality design from new development, clarifies policies on tall buildings and protected views, and reinforces infrastructure, place-based planning, and delivery monitoring frameworks.
The successful delivery of the Local Plan will require strong and effective partnership working, with the Council continuing to take a leadership role. Through unique ways of working, known as the ‘Lewisham Way’, the Council will work alongside public and private sector stakeholders, local communities as well as residents to realise the Local Plan objectives, so that everyone in Lewisham can enjoy a good quality of life.
Mayor of Lewisham Brenda Dacres said:
“Adopting this new Local Plan gives us the strategic direction and tools to continue growing the borough in a sustainable and fair way as well as unlocking the opportunities our residents deserve.
“The plan will ensure Lewisham continues to be a welcoming place, where diversity is recognised and protected. A place that people want to visit, live in, where they choose to stay and enjoy a good quality of life and feel supported to achieve their full potential.”
Councillor James-J Walsh, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration & Planning said:
“This is more than a policy document. It is our blueprint for good growth in Lewisham. From Deptford to Downham, Grove Park to Forest Hill, this draws together our priorities for housing, jobs, green space, local character and more. It reflects the strength of our communities and the ambition we have for them to thrive.
“With a 10 per cent increase to our housing targets, this new Local Plan shows our ambitious and bold approach to addressing the housing crisis alongside stronger protections for affordability, green space and workspace. This plan shows we are serious about inclusive growth and long-term impact. It gives us the clarity and confidence we need to deliver, and the tools to make sure every part of Lewisham benefits from that growth.
“With over 14,000 homes already consented and major regeneration sites like Convoys Wharf and Lewisham Shopping Centre ready to come forward, this Plan equips us to accelerate delivery on the homes, jobs, opportunities and growth our local residents deserve.”