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Leegate sold again – the third owner in four years

Leegate has been sold by Galliard Homes to London based developer London Square, the third owners in four years. Galliard had acquired the site in 2021 from St Modwen, and had secured planning consent for a major residential and retail development.

It is understood Galliard went cool on the project because of the difficulty in finding retail businesses to occupy the commercial space. It seems likely London Square will ask Lewisham Council to vary the plans to reduce the shopping space, and add more homes.

London Square says work will start on the site later this year.  Its website says: “London Square plans to deliver an attractive mixed use destination development, with high quality homes featuring communal areas in a landscaped setting with retail, leisure, restaurants, cafes, and a medical facility. The redevelopment will bring a new focus to the heart of Lee town centre in the London Borough of Lewisham.

“Acquired from Galliard Homes, there is currently planning in place for 562 homes, comprising 389 private and 173 affordable houses, with 4,538sqm of ground floor commercial space.   London Square will work with the London borough of Lewisham to increase the level of residential options in an area where there is a shortage of new build homes being delivered.”

It is London Square’s 14th purchase since being acquired by the Abu Dhabi based  company Aldar at the end of 2023.  It claims to have a strong track record in the area, having delivered an award-winning development in the centre of Greenwich, and also providing 100 per cent affordable homes on behalf of affordable registered provider Square Roots in Lewisham. 

Adam Lawrence, London Square’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This acquisition will herald  a new chapter for Lee town centre, with much-needed homes and a new retail and leisure destination to attract the existing community and new residents. We look forward to working with the London Borough of Lewisham to get the re-development under way later this year.”

London Square website impressions of the development
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Sustainable Streets Team refuse to meet Lee Green residents to explain their parking restriction plans

Lewisham Council’s Sustainable Streets team has rejected the invitation from the Lee Manor Society to attend its next meeting, so it can brief residents directly about its proposals for new parking restrictions.

The Society invited the team to attend after they failed to turn up at the final Lee Green Assembly meeting last month, to the fury of residents who attended. The team is conducting consultations in three areas, Lee Green, Hither Green and Catford South.

It told the Society “We understand the importance of engaging with the community and apologise that officers were not available to attend the meeting on 6-Feb, but were able to provide a written briefing prior to the meeting.

“Unfortunately, our officers are not able to attend a further public meeting outside of the original scope of consultation which has now ended, and staff are now utilising the time to analyse the numerous responses received. We understand the level of interest from residents who have been consulted and intend to publish the outcome of the consultation for the Mayor and Cabinet committee meeting in May where a decision will be taken on the future direction of this scheme.”

The reply went on to outline their plans, which included possible Controlled Parking Zones between 9 AM and 5 PM Monday to Friday. . “The aims of the proposed scheme are to improve amenities for residents, along with additional added value measures such as more secure cycle storage, electric charging options, more greenery and to ensure residents can park closer to their homes. All such measures would introduce double yellow lines to junctions to allow better visibility and improve road safety.”

The team added “Please let the residents know that we are taking their concerns seriously and are committed to ensuring that their voices are included in the decision-making process.”

Charles Batchelor of the Lee Manor Society said “The failure of the council’s sustainable streets team to agree to a meeting with local residents is disappointing but not surprising. All too often in the recent past – Leegate being but one example – local views are completely ignored under the council’s formal consultation process.

“The sustainable streets programme, as currently planned, would see parking controls imposed throughout weekdays from 9am to 5pm at considerable inconvenience to residents, visitors, carers and tradespeople. The two-hour parking controls in effect on the west side of Burnt Ash Road have proved very effective in stopping parking by out-of-town commuters with a minimal impact on the lives of residents.

“The proposed all-day ban Monday to Friday under the present proposals appears to reflect an ideological commitment to controlling car use rather than any understanding of local parking and driving patterns. Or any concern for the views and convenience of local residents, the people this council is supposed to serve.

“A further ‘statutory consultation’  is due in the summer. Unfortunately ‘statutory’ tends to mean ‘we don’t want to do it but we are legally obliged’. Once plans have got that far the council is reluctant to change anything. The Society will nevertheless continue to press for a face-to-face meeting with the traffic planners.”

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Parking proposals: Lee Manor Society appeals to Deputy Mayor to meet residents.

Lee Manor Society has appealed to the Lewisham councillor responsible for Environment, Transport and Climate Action to ensure a representative attends its next meeting to explain the Council’s new parking proposals.

The Society told Cllr Louise Krupski, who is also Deputy Mayor, that it had invited the Sustainable Streets team to attend its next meeting on March 13th, but so far has had no reply.

The Sustainable Streets team was scheduled to attend the final Lee Green Assembly meeting in February but failed to turn up, to the fury of many Lee residents who attended.

Charles Batchelor of the Lee Manor Society told Cllr Krupski “This is a  matter of vital importance to the local community. Residents deserve a proper explanation of what is planned and why this particular format – full-day parking controls, extensive yellow-lining – has been chosen.”

Lewisham says it is currently analysing more than 4,000 responses to its consultation on its Sustainable Streets programme, and the Mayor and Cabinet will then produce proposals in May, when there will be a further consultation.

The Council says the programme is about reducing car journeys to help encouraging walking, cycling, and using other public transport, and to help reduce air pollution, decrease traffic and congestion.

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Lee Manor Society Challenges Sustainable Streets Team to Attend a Public Meeting

Lee Manor Society has challenged Lewisham Council’s Sustainable Streets team to meet residents and explain its plans for new parking restrictions and other measures.

The team was meant to speak at the final meeting of the Lee Green assembly earlier this month, but failed to turn up. At least 60 people had attended the meeting to find out more details about the proposals, which include possible all-day Controlled Parking Zones, Monday to Friday.

The Society has suggested the team could attend its next meeting on Thursday March 13th (7.30 pm at St Peter’s Church Hall). If that is not possible, the Society will arrange another date.

Since the end of the Assembly programme it falls to community groups like the Lee Manor Society to arrange face-to-face events where important local issues can be explained and debated.

Charles Batchelor’s letter says: “This is a matter of vital importance to the local community. Residents deserve a proper explanation of what is planned and why this particular format – full-day parking controls, extensive yellow-lining – has been chosen.

“Lewisham council does not have a good name when it comes to connecting with residents and the failure – at very short notice – of an officer to attend on February 6 has only strengthened that impression.

“I understand our local councillors, who it appears were as surprised as residents at the failure of sustainable streets to turn up on February 6, have contacted you to request a meeting.”

If you wish to encourage the Sustainable Streets team to attend, please leave a comment. You can also email Sustainable.Streets@lewisham.gov.uk or

martha.lauchlan@lewisham.gov.uk or timothy.andrew@lewisham.gov.uk