The Strategic Planning Committee of Lewisham Council met on Tuesday 18 November 2025 to discuss a planning application for the Leegate Shopping Centre. The committee unanimously approved the application, which sought to make minor material amendments to a previously consented scheme. These amendments included increasing the number of residential units, enhancing the provision of affordable housing, and adjusting building heights.

Leegate Shopping Centre, SE12 - Application Ref: DC/25/140732

The committee unanimously approved the application for the Leegate Shopping Centre, which sought to make minor material amendments to a previously consented scheme. The approved changes include an increase in residential units from 561 to 620, and an uplift in affordable housing from 36.2% to 46.3% by habitable room. The maximum height of Building A1 has been increased from 15 to 17 storeys. The scheme will be effectively car-free, with 21 residential and one commercial blue badge bay provided. The relocation of the medical centre to the ground floor of Block B and a reduction in overall commercial floor space, including a smaller supermarket, were also approved. The decision was made subject to the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement and appropriate planning conditions.

The meeting heard presentations from planning officers, the applicant London Square Development Limited, and objectors including the Lee Manor Society and the Lee Forum. Ward councillors Councillor James Rathbone and Councillor Luke Warner also spoke, expressing concerns about the increased height of Building A1.

Key discussions revolved around the increased height of Building A1 to 17 storeys, which exceeded the Lewisham Local Plan's policy recommendation of 12 storeys for the area. Arguments were made that this increase was necessary to balance the provision of affordable housing and to reconfigure layouts due to new fire regulations. Objectors raised concerns about the impact on the local character, heritage assets, and infrastructure, particularly parking.

The committee was informed that the council is currently failing its Housing Delivery Test, which engages a tilted balance in favour of granting permission for new housing development. This, combined with the significant public benefits of the scheme, including the delivery of 620 new homes and 261 affordable units, was a key factor in the decision.

The decision to grant permission was made after extensive deliberation, with officers recommending approval based on the overall planning balance, where the public benefits were considered to outweigh the identified harms. The approval is subject to the completion of a Deed of Variation to the existing Section 106 legal agreement and the imposition of appropriate planning conditions.