London Square, the new owners of Leegate, plan to add a further 80 homes to the development – an increase on the previously indicated 50 – taking the total to about 640. This will be achieved by adding to the heights of the planned blocks and removing non-Blue Badge parking, an online meeting with local residents’ groups was told.
The highly sensitive 15-storey corner block on the Lee Green crossroad will be increased by ‘half a storey’ while the two blocks immediately behind and attached to the corner tower will rise by two storeys. The two blocks on the south of site overlooking the central ‘street’ (the side adjacent to the old car-wash) will increase by one storey, London Square’s development director Ricardo Rossetti told the meeting.
At the same time London Square aims to increase the percentage of affordable homes to 44-46 per cent up from the 40 per cent it indicated to the Lee Manor Society in April. Under the previous owners of the Leegate site, Galliard Homes, the affordable share would have been 35 per cent.
“Because of the amount of affordable housing we have had to increase the heights,” said Vanessa Jones, senior development manager for London Square. “We are looking to sensibly reposition the heights.” The ‘half-storey’ increase in the height of the corner tower will be achieved by lowering the ceilings of some of the units.
Lee residents will have the opportunity to view and comment on the plans at an exhibition to be held in St Peter’s Church on the corner of Eltham and Weigall Roads on Tuesday, May 20 from 3.30pm-8pm.
London Square executives appear confident that the proposed changes that the company is seeking to the planning consent obtained by former owner Galliard in 2023 will not pose a problem. Lewisham council controversially refused to impose a recommended 12-storey limit on building at Leegate and other district centres because its revised Local Plan had at that stage not been given final mayoral approval.
London Square is working with Clarion Housing, managers of the neighbouring Leybridge Estate, on the design of the affordable housing that will situated in the block overlooking Leyland Road. Three-bedroom homes will replace previously planned two-bedroom units to accommodate larger families.
The timetable for demolition and construction remains roughly unchanged though several licences covering ecological matters and bats still have to be negotiated. Changes will be required to the planning consent gained in 2023 by former owner Galliard though London Square appears confident enough of approval to start demolition ‘in four to five weeks – early summer.’
Demolition work will take six months with the new build scheduled to start in early 2026. London Square confirmed that the only parking allowed will be for Blue Badge holders with spaces available for five per cent of residents of apartments designed for wheelchair access. It could not immediately say how many this would be.
The planned medical centre has been moved from the first floor in the corner block to the ground floor of Leyland Road block. However, there are concerns that the lack of parking and space for the disposal of medical waste, could make Leegate less attractive as a site for the centre.
Asked about the spread of graffiti on the hoardings around the site, Ms Jones said the company was aware of the problem and the temporary boards would be replaced shortly with London Square branded hoardings that are treated to resist graffiti.
London Square has yet to draw up a traffic management plan to control lorries removing the demolished concrete elements and delivering new materials to minimise disruption to traffic and inconvenience to residents. The plan would be submitted in advance of final planning permission. Dust created by demolition will be controlled by spraying. Any asbestos on the site would be removed under the tight controls that apply.
Former Lee Manor councillor Jim Mallory questioned whether Leegate’s unhappy recent history – its long decline and series of companies who have proposed and then failed to carry out redevelopment – meant London Square might want to rename the centre. This question was left open.
UPDATE: London Square has confirmed that its current plans are for blue badge only parking spaces at Leegate. The breakdown is 21 residential blue badge spaces and 1 commercial blue badge space.
We’re told the new proposal will bring a “community feel” — with a pub, half a basketball court, a mural, and yet another supermarket (despite a large one just opposite). On paper, it looks vibrant. But something essential is missing.
This isn’t just about what goes and what stays — it’s about what matters.
When plans first emerged over a decade ago, local people asked for spaces that reflected real community life. Not a glossy version designed from the outside in.
So where are the small, characterful places that made this area feel alive? The yoga house. The swap shop. The little café where people were known by name. These weren’t just shops — they were social glue.
Yes, the site needs change. But not at the cost of identity. Real development should build on what’s loved — not overwrite it with what’s profitable. And now suddenly we are all being railroaded.
And let’s be honest: most of the new homes won’t be affordable. Social housing will be limited. So who is this really for?
I am worried about the height of blocks proposed. Also are the people moving in on condition they do not have a car ? The parking around here is bad now so it can only get worse. The condition of the slip road between carston close and burnt ash road is a health hazard so much rubbish dumped.
I have lived in the Lee conservation area for 45 years and think this sounds like an excellent plan. We have a desperate housing shortage in this area. The younger people who desperately need these homes don’t usually own cars, and those that do need a car for work will find somewhere more suitable. Lewisham Council will doubtless put parking restrictions on adjoining streets to prevent spill-over effects. Now let’s get on with the build – we’ve been waiting far too long!
Horrified to learn of the proposed increased height of all the already too high blocks on the Leegate site.
The lack of non – disabled parking will mean a great deal of parking on the adjoining Burnt Ash service road.
I live on Leybridge court. The residents in the block are worried about how this will affect the light to their homes. Leegate is in dire need of improvement, but that is a lot of people/families for that size area.
I am very worried about the additional height to the build, Leybridge Court will be heavily impacted by this development.