This article has been updated.
London Square has finalised with Lewisham Council the amendments to the Leegate “Section 106” agreement which covers – among other things – the money the developer pays to fund local services which will be needed because of the increased population created by the development. This is in addition to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payment that the Developer also has to pay.
Several of the amounts which were agreed under the original planning consent given to Galliard have been raised, although some clauses have now been taken out.
The changes include:
- The amount London Square will pay for its “Local Labour and Business Contribution” has been raised from £402,800 to £560,560. Lewisham’s Local Labour and Business Scheme (LLBS) was created to use planning agreements, local authority procurement and voluntary agreements with partners to provide additional social benefits for Lewisham residents and businesses.
- The “Off-site play space contribution” is raised from £183,000 to £237,000. This is cash which will fund new play facilities nearby but not on the site for 12–17-year-olds. The agreement says these could be at the Edith Nesbitt Pleasure Ground, or Manor House Gardens, or somewhere else.
- The “Reduction in commercial floorspace contribution” is up from £230,661 to £252,611. This is compensation for the fact that the development supplants the former Leegate shops. The money is used to provide employment workspace elsewhere.
- Carbon Offset contributions – originally down at £300,000 has now been increased to £608,343 by way of three individual payments (first, second and third contributions). The money goes to the Council for “Carbon Fund Measures”.
London Square is already committed under the existing terms to pay an “Air Quality Management Contribution”, a “Controlled Parking Zones contribution” and a “Legible London Contribution”.
The last one supports TfL’s comprehensive, pedestrian-focused wayfinding system implemented to enhance walking, reduce clutter, and boost local economies. It features over 1,500 consistent, map-based signs across 32 boroughs, which are designed to improve journey times and reduce the feeling of being lost.
Some things have been taken out:
- “Monitoring contribution” originally a sum of £39,853 as a contribution towards the Councils costs in monitoring compliance with the planning obligations in this Deed.
- “Relocation contribution” – a payment of £5,000 per existing Leegate trader to assist with the practical costs of moving a business and establishing within a new location. We understand those sums have now been paid which is why they have been removed from the updated Section 106 agreement.
The new document also changes the phrase “London affordable housing” to “social housing”. This is because the Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) has been rebranded to the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) .
There are several other commitments for London Square: to provide several commercial units, a Community Centre on a 99-year lease at a peppercorn rent, a Health Facility (although there is no specific definition of what that should be), and a pub.
The full revised Section 106 Agreement can be found on Lewisham’s Planning Portal (https://planning.lewisham.gov.uk/online-applications/) by searching under the planning reference ‘140732’ and then by opening the ‘documents Tab and opening the document entitled ‘Completed agreement’ dated 3rd February 2026.
