Lewisham schemes scoops two prestigious awards
Team Catford, the locally-based team which leads the community engagement on the regeneration of Catford town centre on behalf of Lewisham Council, has been endorsed as the best in London after winning a top award.
At the Building London Planning Awards 2020, held at the Leadenhall Building in the heart of London on 28 January, Team Catford was presented with the Community Engagement in the Planning Process award.
The awards, run by London First, celebrate the diverse talent working across the built environment sector.
Since 2017, Team Catford has held thousands of conversations with local people to gather over 2,500 views and ideas which are helping to shape the emerging framework plan to guide development over the next 10 to 15 years.
Judges commended Team Catford’s creative approach to community engagement and the use of digital platform, Commonplace, which is used as a hub for local feedback on the priorities for the town centre.
The borough also took home an award for Heritage & Culture in recognition of the work done to transform the Fellowship Inn – an historic listed public house in Bellingham – into a popular social and cultural venue, whilst protecting its heritage value.
Speaking on the award wins, Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said: Speaking on the award wins, Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said: “Congratulations to Team Catford and the Fellowship Inn. These are two fantastic wins that demonstrate how we are working together with the community to transform the borough..
“Through Team Catford, the Council has had thousands of conversations with residents about how we can transform the town centre while supporting our small independent businesses and celebrating our roots. We also worked very closely with Phoenix Community Housing to transform the historic Fellowship and Star into a thriving part of Bellingham, restoring the historic cinema and creating a new creative space.”
Team Catford also runs the monthly Catford Food Market and Catford Cornucopia – a not-for-profit pop-up shop stocking Catford merchandise and locally produced crafts with all surplus income donated to the Sickle Cell Society and Deptford’s 999 Club.