Local Plan consultation on proposed main modifications
The Council has been preparing a new Local Plan for Lewisham for several years. That process has included the production of technical supporting evidence and engagement with our residents, communities, stakeholders, and partners.
The new Local Plan will establish 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 (2020 to 2040). Once adopted it will, together with the London Plan and Neighbourhood Plans, form the statutory Development Plan for Lewisham, and will guide and inform decision-taking on all development proposal across the Borough.
The Council submitted the new Lewisham Local Plan to the Secretary of State for the purpose of examination in public on 3 November 2023.
Following the submission of the new Local Plan, the Secretary of State appointed Planning Inspectors to conduct an independent Examination in Public. The Inspectors have considered the responses submitted during the public consultation on the Submission version of the new Local Plan.
The examination process has also included public hearing sessions, which provided participants with an opportunity to respond to the Inspectors’ questions directly
Consultation on the Proposed Main Modifications
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 documents consulted upon included:
- A) Lewisham Local Plan Proposed Main Modifications Schedule
- B) Lewisham Local Plan Proposed Additional Modifications Schedule
- C) Lewisham Local Plan Changes to the Policies Map
- D) Main Modifications Integrated Impact Assessment
- E) Main Modifications Habitats Regulations Assessment
- comprehensive Guidance Note on the Consultation
The Council also published the following documents for information only, to provide context for the Proposed Modifications.
- Lewisham Local Plan: Track change version at Modifications Stage
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3
- Part 4
- Integrated Impact Assessment December 2022
- Integrated Impact Assessment Non-Technical Summary December 2022
- Habitats Regulations Assessment December 2022
Comments
The comments submitted during the consultation that relate to the Proposed Main Modifications have been passed onto the Inspectors for their consideration.
The Council will also consider the comments submitted during the consultation that relate to the Proposed Additional Modifications and the Proposed Changes to the Submitted Policies Map.
Next steps
The Council anticipates that the Local Plan examination could reach its final stage during Summer / Autumn 2025. This will be subject to the Inspectors being satisfied that the process can proceed – it is their decision. Information will be published on the Local Plan Examination website in due course.