What's happening in Lewisham

Open House London showcases great design in every London borough. Click here to find out what you can see in Lewisham this year.

Below, you can find out all about the local context of this borough's architecture, areas undergoing change and projects under construction.

Lewisham is undergoing its biggest transformation since Victorian times. Areas include Sydenham high street, Deptford and New Cross, Lewisham town centre as well as work going into the schools building programme, leisure centre developments and park improvements.

Deptford and New Cross has been identified by the Council as one of the key opportunity areas within the borough. In the past few years it has been noted that the Deptford and New Cross area is fast becoming a cultural hub. Through the next five years the centre of Deptford will be transformed by the improvements on the station and the leisure centre as well as the public square. The project also involves creating new homes, artists’ units and gallery space.

However it is Lewisham town centre where regeneration will be most concentrated. The council aims to change its current status as a ‘major centre’ within London to a ‘metropolitan centre’. Important in this is the £250million Lewisham Gateway development. The project will deliver public and private investment in the town centre, create new job opportunities, new homes and leisure facilities. Amongst the changes will be the removal of the roundabout opposite Lewisham station, replacing it with a development consisting of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, leisure areas, up to 800 homes, a new urban park, a relocated bus interchange and space that could be used by Lewisham college and a healthcare centre. Demolition of the disused buildings north of Rennell Street is now underway and discussions are taking place between the Council, the London Development Agency and Lewisham Gateway Developments Ltd with the aim of work starting next year.

Also part of the regeneration of Lewisham town centre are Loampit Vale, Cornmill Gardens and River Mill Park. As well as homes, commercial spaces and cultural facilities, Loampit Vale will also be the site of the boroughs newest swimming pool. The scheme aims to reduce carbon emissions by 44% through many energy saving features, making it one of the few mixed-use developments in the UK to reach Code 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

 

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