Adoption of the Lewisham Local Plan July 2025

Our newly adopted Local Plan gives the Council a framework for managing growth, so that it is done sustainably, fairly and follows principles of 'Good growth’.

The new Local Plan sets out a future vision for Lewisham, along with providing a planning and investment framework to deliver its vision and spatial strategy over a 20-year period (until 2040).

It is comprised of a strategic vision, objectives and a borough-wide spatial strategy that directs good growth towards the places and neighbourhoods that have capacity to accommodate it; as well as a suite of strategic and non-strategic planning policies and 75 site allocations that will guide future development of the borough.

It looks ahead to 2040 and takes a positive approach towards planning for and accommodating future growth over that period.

Together with the London Plan and Neighbourhood Plans, it forms the statutory Development Plan for Lewisham. It now guides and informs decision-taking on all development proposal across the Borough.

The Council formally adopted our new Local Plan for Lewisham on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Since 2023, the draft plan underwent rigorous independent and public examination. This process included the production of technical supporting evidence and engagement with our residents, communities, stakeholders, and partners. It has followed the requirements as set out in The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

The new Lewisham Local Plan was the subject of a report, recommending its adoption, that went before Full Council on Wednesday 16 July 2025. In accordance with the recommendation, Full Council adopted the new Lewisham Local Plan:

It replaces the Lewisham Core Strategy (2011), Lewisham Site Allocations Local Plan (2013), Lewisham Development Management Local Plan (2014), and Lewisham Town Centre Local Plan (2014).

There is now a six week period during which any person aggrieved may apply to the High Court under Section 113 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to challenge the Local Plan on the grounds that it is not within the appropriate powers or that a procedural requirement has not been complied with. This challenge period will end on 28 August 2025.’

The plan-making process

The Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State on 3 November 2023. It was subsequently subject to an independent examination conducted by two Planning Inspectors appointed to represent the Secretary of State. The Inspectors chaired public hearing sessions between 18 June 2024 and 19 July 2024.

Following the publication of the Inspectors’ Post-Hearing letter (8 November 2024), the Council facilitated a focused public consultation, specifically on the Main Modifications that the Inspectors are proposing to secure the soundness of the new Local Plan.

This was open from Thursday 13 February 2025 until Wednesday 26 March 2025. The consultation provided those with an interest in the new Local Plan an opportunity to comment on the Inspectors’ proposed Main Modifications. The consultation also provided an opportunity for comments on the additional modifications and changes to the Policy Map being proposed by the Council.

The final Inspectors’ Report, dated 25 June 2025, confirmed that the Lewisham Local Plan 2020-2040, subject to a number of main modifications (as appended to the Inspectors’ Report), is justified, effective, consistent with national policy, in general conformity with the London Plan, satisfies the requirements referred to in Section 20(5)(a) of the 2004 Act and is sound:

Pursuant to Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the adopted Lewisham Local Plan 2020-2040 incorporates the main modifications (as appended to the Inspectors’ Report). It now carries full weight in the consideration of planning applications.

In accordance with Regulations 26 and 35 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended), the following documents have been published and made available:

Paper copies of these documents will be available for public inspection at:

Deptford Lounge Library, 9 Giffin Street, London SE8 4RJ
Grove Park Community Library, Somertrees Avenue, London, SE120BX
Forest Hill Community Library, Dartmouth Rd, London SE23 3HZ
Downham Library, 7-9 Moorside Rd, Bromley BR1 5EP
Sydenham Library, 210 Sydenham Rd, London SE26 5SE
Catford Library, Catford Centre, 23-24 Winslade Way, London SE6 4JU
London Borough of Lewisham, Laurence House, 1 Catford Rd, London SE6 4RU

Please arrange an appointment for viewing at Laurence House by emailing localplan@lewisham.gov.uk.

The Local Plan’s Integrated Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessments are all available to view here:

Published on: 17/07/2025