Local Plan consultation on proposed main modifications
Planning fees are changing from 1 April 2025. Fees for planning applications will rise by 1.7%. A draft fee schedule is published on the Planning Portal. Other non-statutory planning fees will increase by an average of 2.7%.
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
Following the publication of the Inspectors’ Post-Hearing letter, the Council is now carrying out a focussed consultation, specifically on the Main Modifications that the Inspectors are proposing to secure the soundness of the new Local Plan.
Main Modifications are material changes to the submitted Local Plan which are considered necessary to make it sound and legally compliant. Main Modifications are proposed without prejudice to the Inspectors’ final conclusions on the Local Plan.
Lewisham Council is consulting on the following documents:
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
A comprehensive Guidance Note on the Consultation is also available.
Responses to the consultation must only speak to the soundness of the Proposed Modifications. There is no opportunity to comment on other aspects of the new Local Plan that do not correspond with a Proposed Modification or change. It is expected that responses will be submitted using a prepared Standard Template.
In the interests of fairness and completeness, the Council is also inviting comments on the Additional Modifications and the Changes to the Proposals Map separately, albeit these are outside the scope of the Examination. The Council will consider responses relating to these two documents and will be responsible and accountable for making these Additional Modification, or Proposed Changes to the Submitted Policies Map upon adoption of the Plan.
The Council is also publishing the following documents for information only, to provide context for the Proposed Modifications. There is no opportunity to comment on these documents:
Lewisham Local Plan: Track change version at Modifications Stage
- Integrated Impact Assessment December 2022
- Integrated Impact Assessment Non-Technical Summary December 2022
- Habitats Regulations Assessment December 2022
Consultation period
The consultation is open from Thursday 13 February 2025 to Wednesday 26 March 2025.
It is expected that responses to the consultation on the Proposed Main Modifications will be submitted on templates using the representation form. Please use a separate sheet for each response.
Your comments must be received by 12 midnight on Wednesday 26 March 2025.
They should be submitted on a completed template using either:
- email: localplan@lewisham.gov.uk or
- post: Lewisham Planning Policy Team, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, London, SE6 4RU
Where can I inspect the Proposed Main Modification and the other related documents?
Those with an interest in the Proposed Main Modifications can inspect physical copies as well as other supporting documents at the following locations:
- Deptford Lounge Library, 9 Giffin Street, London SE8 4RJ
- Grove Park Community Library, Somertrees Avenue, London SE12 0BX
- Forest Hill Community Library, Dartmouth Road, London SE23 3HZ
- Downham Library, 7-9 Moorside Road, Bromley BR1 5EP
- Sydenham Library, Sydenham Road, London, SE26 5SE
- Catford Library, 23-24 Winslade Way, Catford Centre, London SE6 4JU
- Lewisham Council, 1 Catford Rd, London SE6 4RU
Please arrange an appointment for viewing at Laurence House by emailing localplan@lewisham.gov.uk.
Call 02083147400 for library opening times.
To learn more about how the Council will use customers’ data please see our planning privacy notice.