Lewisham campaigners' petition against shopping centre homes scheme rejected

More than 4,600 people have signed a petition calling for the rejection of the Lewisham Shopping Centre redevelopment, but their objections have been deemed too late. Lewisham Council informed campaigners that they cannot block the 1,700-home scheme as planning permission was already granted.

Planning Permission Granted

Developer Landsec was granted planning permission in October 2025 for the redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre. The scheme, estimated to cost £1.5 billion, involves demolishing the existing mall and multi-storey car park to build tower blocks up to 35 storeys high. The project is planned in six phases over 10 years and will deliver a total of 1,744 new homes.

The approved plans include 98 homes designated for social rent and 231 homes at discounted market rates or for key workers. The remaining homes will be for private sale. The development also incorporates accommodation for 661 students and a 23-storey co-living block with 445 homes.

Concerns Over Affordable Housing

Campaigners, represented by Lewisham People’s Assembly, argue that the approved plans provide insufficient affordable housing. They state that only 4% of the total homes built are for social rent, which they claim fails to meet the significant local need, with over 10,500 people on the borough's social housing waiting list. The petition described the redevelopment as a "blueprint for gentrification" that would displace the community and serve corporate interests.

Mayor of Lewisham, Liam Shrivastava, has publicly voiced concerns about the number of social homes included in the plan. He indicated that he would be unwilling to use the council’s compulsory purchase powers to support the development unless more social housing was provided. He stated on X, prior to the council meeting, that 98 social homes were insufficient given the high demand for housing in Lewisham.

Council's Position

At the full council meeting on September 23, Councillor Daniel Dream, Lewisham’s cabinet member for inclusive regeneration, planning and housing delivery, explained the council's limitations. He stated that the council "don’t have the power to simply block or reject a scheme that’s already been through planning approval." He emphasised the need to "be talking facts for the sake of everybody watching."

Despite the council's inability to halt the approved scheme, a motion put forward by the Lewisham Green Group, acknowledging the petition and the importance of affordable housing, was carried after a formal vote.