An estate in New Cross is to be demolished and replaced with 278 new homes in buildings up to 16 storeys high after councillors unanimously approved the plans on Tuesday evening (December 2).
The major regeneration project from Lewisham Council will see the Achilles Street Estate redeveloped and replaced with five new buildings containing housing, new shops and workspace.
The estate was built in the 1950s and includes three residential blocks called Azalea House, Fenton House and Austin House as well as a row of 12 shops on New Cross Road.
The site currently consists of 88 homes which are made up of 51 social rent homes, 36 privately-owned flats and one vacant flat.
In 2019, Lewisham Council held an estate ballot which saw a 92per cent turnout with 73 per cent of residents voting in favour of the plans.
During the meeting, a planning officer explained that the development will be delivered in three phases, and eligible tenants and leaseholders will be offered a new home on the estate before their existing home gets demolished.
Of the 278 new homes, 122 will be social rent and 44 will be intermediate Shared Ownership homes – which amounts to 60per cent ‘affordable’ housing by unit number.
The remaining 112 homes will be for private sale.
Lewisham Council has said a third of all homes are designed for families and will have dual or triple aspect for better light and ventilation.
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The buildings will range from 4 to 16 storeys tall and will also contain flexible commercial floorspace.
The proposals will deliver new pedestrian and cycle access to Fordham Park as well as car and cycle parking and refuse storage.
When it came to closing statements, Cllr Rosie Parry proposed that the Committee accept and approve of the plans.
Cllr Parry said: “I think there are some fantastic examples here of best practice engagement with residents again in a really sincere and meaningful way and that it’s place-making that’s putting people really at the heart of it.
“So, as far as I can see this is a really positive development and I think I would be really inclined to approve it.”
Cllr Parry’s proposal was seconded by Cllr Peter Bernards, and the Committee proceeded to vote unanimously in favour of the plans, meaning planning consent was granted. The development is expected to be completed by 2033.
Cllr James-J Walsh, Lewisham Council’s Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration and Planning, said: “Achilles shows what regeneration should be: rooted in the community, improving everyday life and helping local people stay in the neighbourhood they love.
“With 60per cent affordable homes, safer public spaces, better connections and new opportunities for local businesses, we’re delivering the Good Growth vision in our Local Plan – creating a thriving New Cross shaped by its residents, for the future of Lewisham.”
Jo McCafferty, Director of Levitt Bernstein, said: “We are so delighted that our proposals for new homes, shops and workspace at the Achilles Estate have been granted planning approval. This is a key milestone for the Achilles community, Lewisham Council and our project team after four years of intensive engagement and design work.
“It’s testament to an incredible working collaboration between the community, our client, ourselves, WR-AP Architects and ZCD Architects and the wider design team including Max Fordham and Price & Myers.”
They added: “The Achilles Estate steering group have been at the forefront of all decision-making and have shown such personal commitment to the project over this period, from the original ballot in 2019.
“We send a personal thank you to the members of the steering group and the project team at Lewisham Council whose ambition and humanity have made this process so deeply fulfilling for us as architects. We are looking forward to our future involvement in delivering these proposals for the community at Achilles.”
