Areas of Special Local Character - selection criteria & Sydenham and Forest Hill ASLCs

Closed 22 Sep 2024

Opened 5 Aug 2024

Contact

Conservation Team

Strategic Planning

conservation@lewisham.gov.uk

Feedback updated 30 Jul 2025

We asked

  • Do you agree with the selection criteria?
  • Should Hall Drive be designated as an ASLC?
  • Should Charleville Circus be designated as an ASLC?
  • Should Kirkdale be designated as an ASLC?
  • Should Rockbourne Road be designated as an ASLC?
  • Should these roads be designated as ASLCs?
  • Should Sydenham Ridge be designated as an ASLC?

You said

74.1% of respondents supported the proposed selection criteria. Some respondents found terms like “high quality” and “etc.” vague or subjective. Others felt the criteria were too restrictive or missed areas of interest.

87.5% of respondents supported Hall Drive being an ASLC. Residents praised the architectural diversity, green spaces, and community character. Corrections were suggested to descriptions of building types and historical details.

71.4% of respondents supported Charleville Circus being an ASLC. Some praised its distinctiveness and history, while others expressed concern about planning restrictions and parking.

85.7% of respondents supported Kirkdale being an ASLC. Respondents highlighted the area's historic buildings and community value. Suggestions included expanding the boundary and addressing urban realm issues.

62.5% of respondents supported Rockbourne Road being an ASLC. Residents appreciated the greenery, community use of benches, and historical context. Some were unsure of the designation’s practical impact.

66.7% of respondents supported Woolstone & Hurstbourne Roads being an ASLC. Some questioned the uniqueness of the area and suggested other roads were equally deserving.

76.2% of respondents supported Sydenham Ridge being an ASLC. Strong support with calls for Conservation Area status. Detailed feedback included historical, ecological, and boundary suggestions.

We did

  • Selection criteria: Officers clarified definitions, removed vague terms, and added references to Historic England and NPPG guidance to improve clarity and robustness.
  • Halll Drive ASLC: Officers updated architectural descriptions and corrected historical references as suggested by respondents, revised the Statement of Significance, and incorporated detailed feedback from the Hall Drive Residents’ Association.
  • Charleville Circus ASLC: Officers clarified that ASLC designation does not impose new planning controls. Officers incorporated historical data from a One-Place Study and addressed concerns about threats and opportunities. The FAQs, explaining that the ASLC designation will not entail any additional planning controls, will be uploaded with the ASLCs on the Council website.  
  • Kirkdale ASLC: Officers clarified existing protections for adjacent areas, added tree planting and urban realm improvements to the opportunities section of the Statement of Significance, and referred traffic concerns to Highways.
  • Rockbourne Road ASLC: Officers added social value of benches, historical context (e.g. WWII bombing), and planting opportunities to the Statement of Significance. Clarified the non-regulatory nature of ASLCs.
  • Woolstone & Hurstbourne Roads: Officers clarified that similar areas are already designated Conservation Areas.
  • Sydenham Ridge ASLC: Officers expanded the ASLC boundary to include Sydenham Wells Park and the full Sydenham Hill Estate. Added detailed historical, ecological, and topographical information to the Statement of Significance. Updated photos and maps in Statement of Significance.

Overview

We would welcome your feedback on the selection criteria and statements of significance for Lewisham's Areas of Special Local Character (ASLCs).

Areas of Special Local Character are places that have a particular character that lifts them above the ordinary.  This will usually be based on the way the area developed historically,  and on the use of interesting or unusual architectural forms. They may benefit from their place in the landscape or the way vegetation is incorporated.  The combination of built and unbuilt spaces may create interesting and useful public realm and planned or incidental views.  Sometimes they way that people have used the buildings and spaces,  for instance for social events, or religious purposes, or the memory of notable residents or groups of people, will add local interest. 

12 ASLCs were identified following the adoption of the 2014 development management local plan, with a commitment to appraise and adopt them. Further potential ASLCs were identified through the recent Local Plan process.

As part of this ongoing project, officers have drafted new selection criteria to use to assess existing and potential ASLCs. The 6 ASLCs in Forest Hill and Sydenham which are being consulted upon here have been assessed against these draft selection criteria. Statements of significance and new maps for these 6 ASLCs have been produced, and we are looking for feedback from residents, amenity groups, neighbourhood groups and local historians.

 List of 6 ASLCs for consultation:

  1. Charleville Circus
  2. Hall Drive
  3. Rockbourne Road
  4. Kirkdale
  5. Sydenham Ridge
  6. Woolstone & Hurstbourne Rds

On the survey page, you'll find statements of significance, maps and background research papers for each ASLC.

Why your views matter

The Council would welcome your feedback on Lewisham's Areas of Special Local Character (ASLCs). Local residents’ detailed knowledge of their areas will be useful to add more detail to what our research has found,  particularly in terms of distinctive historic features, views, social and cultural interest, notable residents or groups of people etc. This information will help illustrate the distinctiveness of each area. Your comments will be considered to inform the selection criteria and ASLC documents as appropriate.

What happens next

Thank you for your comments and considerations on this consultation. All comments will be considered to inform revised drafts of the Selection Criteria, the Statements of Significance and the boundary maps for the ASLCs.

Events

  • Physical copies available in libraries

    From 4 Jun 2024 at 00:00 to 9 Jul 2024 at 00:00

    Physical copies of the ASLC documents and survey questions are available in the Forest Hill and Sydenham Libraries.

    Add to my Calendar (.ics)

Areas

  • Forest Hill
  • Perry Vale
  • Sydenham

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Planning