Lewisham and Greenwich councils to decide on 800-home Deptford development

Councillors in Lewisham and Greenwich will vote next week on plans for over 800 homes in tower blocks. The 'Deptford Reach' development is proposed for land by Deptford Creek, formerly part of Lewisham College, and straddles the border between the two South London boroughs.

Conflicting Recommendations

Planners at Greenwich Council have recommended approval for their section of the development, citing the regeneration of a previously developed and accessible site. The plans include 254 homes in four blocks, ranging from a single-storey workshop to 19 storeys. This section of the development is adjacent to Deptford Bridge DLR station.

In contrast, Lewisham Council planners have recommended refusal for their side of the project. They argue that the concentration of tower blocks, including one reaching 30 storeys, would be visually incongruous and would not integrate well with the lower-rise nature of the surrounding Deptford area. Concerns were also raised about potential harm to nearby heritage assets, such as St Paul's Church on Deptford High Street. Lewisham's section of the development includes 548 homes in four blocks.

Development Details

The 'Deptford Reach' proposal by developer RER London involves demolishing three buildings from the former Lewisham College Deptford Campus. Lewisham College relocated in 2024. The plans incorporate new educational space for Goldsmiths College, which currently occupies the buildings. The development also includes retail and leisure units on the lower levels, and aims to open up the waterside area of Deptford Creek for public use.

Resident Response and Next Steps

The proposal has generated significant public interest, with 263 objections and 145 letters of support received across both applications. Supporters have highlighted the need for new homes, while objectors have raised concerns about the scale and suitability of the development. Greenwich Council's Planning Board will discuss the plans on September 24 at 6:30pm, followed by Lewisham's Strategic Planning Committee at 7pm. Regardless of the local decisions, the application will be referred to the Mayor of London and the government for a final decision.