Planning permission upheld for 100% social housing development

The City of London Corporation, who own the Sydenham Hill estate, plan to build 110 new social homes on the estate, replacing a set of garages and an empty block of flats. The empty block was previously used as supported living accommodation for elderly residents, but is no longer fit for purpose. The new social homes will be used to house families on Lewisham and the City of London’s housing waiting lists, helping to tackle the housing crisis facing London.

The plans for the Mais House development were approved by Lewisham Council’s Strategic Planning Committee in June 2021. An application was subsequently made to the High Court for a judicial review of the decision. A judicial review was carried out by Justice Fordham and found that there were no grounds to overturn the Council’s original decision to grant planning permission.  

Cllr Brenda Dacres, Cabinet Member for Housing Development and Planning, said:

“I am pleased that the High Court has upheld our original decision to grant planning permission for this important 100% social housing development at Mais House.

“With 10,000 families on our housing waiting list, building new social homes is a key priority for Lewisham. The development at Mais House will see an empty building and garages replaced with 110 much-needed social homes, helping families on our housing waiting list. It will also see more trees planted and the creation of a new play space for residents, while retaining current green space on the estate.”