Tag: Lee Green

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Revealed: the new name for the Leegate development. Lee Green!

London Square has unveiled its new name for the Leegate Development. It’s Lee Green.

After the furore they caused when they originally called it Blackheath Gate, London Square has wisely opted for the actual name of the area, and has gone public with it on its website., The blurb says “Situated in the heart of Lee – a quietly established neighbourhood bordering Blackheath – Lee Green offers a relaxed pace of life and wide-ranging views across the capital.”

Although London Square has picked this name without consultation with local residents, it has indicated it will be keen to discuss with the community possible names for the individual buildings which are going up. However the firm stresses that Lewisham Council and the Post Office also have an important say in these decisions.

In an exclusive briefing, the Lee Manor Society has learned:

  • London Square will shortly apply for planning permission to erect a marketing suite on the corner of the site by the Lee Green crossroads. The two storey building will include a moc-up example of a one-bedroom flat, complete with running water and a flushing toilet. It’s expected it will be opened in September.
  • The demolition of the old shopping centre is now expected to be completed in a month’s time.
Fifteen demolition experts have reduced Leegate to rubble
  • The demolition contractors, 15 in all, have produced so much rubble that there is more than enough for the foundations of the new development. The rest, possibly as much as half the huge piles of crushed concrete and brick, will be use to build other London Square developments in London, probably in Woolwich.
A pile of crushed rubble
  • London Square is preparing to apply to the building Safety Regulator next month for permission to start building. They are optimistic this will be granted in around 20 weeks, meaning that work would get underway in the autumn.
  • The firm is also preparing to apply to :Lewisham Council for planning consent to build additional houses on the site of the existing garages on the south side of the site.
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Lee Manor Society responds to Lewisham Council’s proposal for Lee Green crossroads

The Lee Manor Society has criticised Lewisham Council for several parts of its proposal to designate Lee Green crossroads an “Area of Special Local Character”. Although the Society welcomes the broad initiative, it has identified several failings in the document, which the Council published last year.

In its formal response to the Council,. the Society asks why the document doesn’t refer to the coming development at Leegate which it says will “dramatically affect the setting of the proposed ASLC.”

The Council’s proposal also says “sites in the immediate setting of the ASLC, including the Leegate Centre, Sainsbury’s and Stephen James car yard) should seek to enhance it by responding sensitively to the scale and grain of the historic context”’.

The Society told the Council “This is exactly what the currently approved Leegate Centre proposals have failed to do and it is a great shame that this document does not pick up on this fact and criticise Lewisham Council itself for its clear and obvious failing in this regard to the obvious detriment of this ASLC.” Sainsbury’s and the car yard could both be developed in the future, as is envisaged in the Lewisham Local Plan .

The Society’s detailed response also includes an improved map of the area (shown above) which sets it in the context of street names and landmarks. Many residents were baffled by the Council’s version.

Although the document talks about the impact of the railway on Lee, it makes no mention of the introduction of electric trams in the early 1900s. A new line was laid from Lewisham to Lee Green in 1907 which meant more people could afford to live in Lee and travel to work. Trams were eventually replaced by motor buses in 1952 and nothing remains of this history.

The photographs below show tram lines being installed at Lee Green in 1907 and one of the last journeys of the tram which passed through Lee, in 1952.

The Society also points out that the document’s reference to trees on Eltham Road and Burnt Ash Road, as being ‘of great importance’ to the setting of the proposed ASLC, neglects to mention that several mature trees will be lost to the Leegate development.

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Prolific local shoplifter hit with Criminal Behaviour Order

 A prolific shoplifter who targets shops in Lee Green and Blackheath has been given a Criminal Behaviour Order lasting 10 years.  A CBO is the replacement for the old ASBO (anti-social behaviour order) and if breached the offender can be fined or jailed.

Met Engage, the new police imitative, has told members in the area the suspect was known to be verbally abusive, intimidating towards store staff and in some instances known to produced sharp objects when challenged.  The CBO was imposed because of the seriousness and repeat nature of the offences, reflecting the strength of the evidence and collaborative work between all officers involved in the investigation.
Met Engage adds “Shoplifting is a crime that can have a substantial negative impact on local businesses across London. If you notice anything suspicious or witness anyone shoplifting, please report it as soon as possible. These reports are invaluable in letting us build a picture of when and where shop lifters operate, meaning we can be in the right place at the right time to arrest those responsible.” 

Met Engage has issued advice on how to spot a shoplifter which you can read here.

You can sign up to Met Engage for regular updates here.

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New Zebra Crossings for Manor Lane, Lee

A new Zebra Crossing has recently been installed on Manor Lane close to the junction of Fernbrook Road and Southbrook Road. Two crossings are planned in total with the second to be constructed later this year.

The crossings replace the previous ‘School Crossing Patrol’ (or Lollipop Lady/Man as we used to call them). No mention is had in the Lee Green Councillors Report (July 2025) as to the fate of the said Lollipop Lady but we must assume that her role has been retired.

Lee Green Councillors have said that the new crossing will provide a safe location for crossing on a 24/7 basis instead of for just a few hours each day during school term time.

Combined with existing School Streets, the Lewisham and Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and the Sustainable Streets programme these new crossings are a part of Lewisham Council’s commitment to making sure that our streets are pedestrian friendly and support active travel throughout the borough.

Whilst traffic in general has seriously reduced along Manor Lane since the LTN was introduced around 4 years ago, this particular junction on Manor Lane remains busy and Lewisham’s Councillors are to be congratulated for finding the funding to implement such works for the safety of all local residents.