The plans, approved by Lewisham Council’s Strategic Planning Committee, are expected to unlock major benefits and improvements for the local community.
The centre will be reimagined with a wider choice of shops, cafés, and restaurants, a new culture and live music venue, a street-food market, park, and community spaces.
New plans include park, music venue, food market, and public art investment(Image: Lewisham Council)
This is in addition to the £24 million investment from the council to improve the high street, Lewisham Market, and Lewisham Library.
The redevelopment will bring around 1,700 new homes, including 630 student units and co-living accommodation, with 344 homes designated as affordable.
These will offer a mix of social rent, London Living Rent, and discounted key worker housing.
Ten per cent of all homes will be wheelchair accessible, catering for young people, renters, key workers, and more.
A 500-capacity community-led culture and live music venue, a not-for-profit community café, and a new public park and meadow the size of a Premier League football pitch are also included in the plans.
New public squares, improved walking and cycling routes, and a dedicated family playground will be open to all.
The development is expected to contribute up to £160 million to the local economy each year and create approximately 1,300 roles during the 10-year construction phase and up to 1,910 long-term positions.
A dedicated £1.23 million local labour fund, paid for by Landsec, will support employment and training initiatives, while a tailored support plan will assist businesses affected by the works.
Transport and accessibility will be enhanced through improved walking and cycling routes, car club membership for residents, and a £500,000 contribution towards upgrades at Lewisham Station.
The project will also see a 346 per cent increase in biodiversity net gain, more than 300 new trees, and a £1 million investment in public art.
Councillor James-J Walsh, cabinet member for inclusive regeneration and planning, said: “This is a major step forward for Lewisham town centre and one that has been a long time coming.
“The redevelopment will bring much-needed homes, jobs, culture and community spaces to Lewisham while making sure local people benefit from the changes.”
Jon Watson, development director at Landsec, added: “Through an engagement process that reached thousands of local people, together we’ve shaped a new vision for the shopping centre.”
