Lewisham retail park redevelopment consultation begins
Work to demolish Lewisham retail park has seen a new consultation commence after the site was sold by L&G.
New owner Amro purchased the site which includes Matalan and Sports Direct earlier this year. They seem to have a development pipeline split between Spain and the UK.
The site had previously seen plans for 536 homes approved in 2018. It’s been covered on this site as long ago as 2016.
Lewisham retail park sits near Lewisham station and a recently built student tower. If the Bakerloo line ever gains funding a construction site will be located next door at what is currently a bus layover point.
It’s the last site yet to be developed in the immediate area which has seen numerous blocks rise over the past 15 years along Loampit Vale.
New station access
The Vita tower includes passive provision for a new station entrance not only to any future Bakerloo line station but the existing Southeastern station, but no organisation appears willing to pay for fit out and staffing.
Much like any proposed entrance to the north of the station.
One did exist but closed, and while many new homes have been built in recent years no one will fund and staff such a new entrance.
As it is, passengers have to walk all the way around and then, depending on destination, head through cramped, sometimes flooded tunnels.
Amro’s consultation is very light on details but does show things are at least starting to move.
They’ve already stated they’re looking at 1,000 homes. It’s possible the increase is due to changes from residential to co-living and student rooms.
Whether Lewisham Council, Network Rail and Southeastern (now also under government control) work together to improve station access remains to be seen, as does whether the new government fund infrastructure projects supporting new housing such as the Bakerloo line extension.
