Inspectors’ Report to Lewisham Council June 2025
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. It is now reaching its conclusion.
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 (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. These were held between 18 and 27 June 2024 and 9 and 18 July 2024.
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.
Comments
The Inpsectors’ Report on the Examination of the Lewisham Local Plan 2020-2040
The Inspectors’ report concludes that the submitted Lewisham Local Plan 2020-2040 provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the Lewisham Borough, provided that a number of main modifications are made to it. As required, the Council has specifically requested that the Inspectors recommend any main modifications that are necessary to enable the Plan to be adopted.
The Inspectors report confirms the process set out above. Namely that following the hearings, proposed main modifications were prepared, and, where necessary, sustainability appraisal and habitats regulations assessments of the proposed main modifications were undertaken. Consequently, the proposed main modifications were subject to public consultation (over a six-week period).
Upon the close of the consultation, the Inspectors considered all of the submitted responses and in some cases, amended their detailed wording and/or added consequential modifications (to the main modifications) where necessary.
In conclusion, the Inspectors state that subject to the modifications set out in their Report, the Plan is justified, effective, consistent with national policy and in general conformity with the London Plan in relation to infrastructure provision, implementation, monitoring and viability.
- Report on the Examination of the Lewisham Local Plan 2020-2040
- Appendix containing the Main Modifications
Adoption
Following the Inspectors’ conclusions set out in their Report to the Council, the local plan examination is now complete and has closed. The Council will now consider the Inspectors’ recommendations in respect of the main modifications to the submitted Local Plan. The Inspectors’ Report will be the subject of sequential reports that will be considered by its Mayor & Cabinet and then Full Council. Subject to their decision, the Council will adopt the Local Plan incorporating the Inspectors’ main modifications as recommended.
Details of the Council’s Mayor & Cabinet and Full Council meetings: