Areas of Special Local Character - Lee, Lewisham and Bellingham ASLCs

Feedback updated 19 Jan 2026

We asked

  • Should Bellingham Estate be designated as an ASLC?
  • Should Lee Green be designated as an ASLC?
  • Should Silk Mills Path be designated as an ASLC?
  • Should Lewisham Town Centre be designated as an ASLC?
  • Should Loampit Hill be designated as an ASLC?

You said

Lee Green received 2 responses. Both agreed it should be designated as an Area of Special Local Character.

Silk Mills Path: 3 out of 3 respondents supported Silk Mills Path’s adoption as an ASLC and agreed with the proposed boundary. Comments praised its architectural character and historical significance.

Loampit Hill received 4 responses, all supported Loampit Hill’s designation as an ASLC. 3 respondents agreed with the proposed boundary, while one felt it should cover a larger section of Loampit Hill. Respondents emphasised the need for period-style street lighting and traffic control.

Bellingham Estate received 3 responses, all of which supported Bellingham’s designation as an ASLC. 2 respondents agreed with the proposed boundary, while one suggested including the green play area beyond the rail bridge into the boundary. Comments focused on protecting green spaces, improving planting, tackling fly-tipping, and enhancing Randlesdown Road.

Lewisham Town Centre: 2 out of 2 respondents supported Lewisham Town Centre’s designation and agreed with the proposed boundary.

We did

Lee Green: Officers revised the ‘Opportunities’ section to add tree planting and river management, while traffic issues were referred to the Highways team.

Silk Mills Path: No changes were made to the Statement of Significance. 

Loampit Hill: Officers revised the ‘Opportunities’ text to add perio lighting as an enhancement should funding become available, and traffic concerns were referred to the Highways team. Additional comments highlighted the area’s architectural quality and unique views, which have been incorporated into the revised Statement of Significance.

Bellingham Estate: The ASLC boundary was chosen to reflect the historic layout of the original London County Council cottage estate. Officers revised the ‘Opportunities’ section to add planting improvements, and fly-tipping concerns were referred to the Environmental Health team.

Lewisham Town Centre: No changes were made to the Statement of Significance.

Closed 3 Nov 2025

Opened 6 Oct 2025

Contact

Conservation Team

Strategic Planning

conservation@lewisham.gov.uk

Overview

We would welcome your feedback on the 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, statements of significance and new maps have been produced for 5 ASLCs, loated in Lewisham, Lee and Bellingham. We are looking for feedback from residents, amenity groups, neighbourhood groups and local historians.

 List of 5 ASLCs for consultation:

  1. Lee Green
  2. Loampit Hill
  3. Silk Mills Path
  4. Lewisham Town Centre
  5. Bellingham

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 Statements of Significance and the boundary maps for the ASLCs.

Events

  • Physical copies available in libraries

    From 6 Oct 2025 at 00:00 to 3 Nov 2025 at 00:00

    Physical copies of the ASLC documents and survey questions are available in the Lee Manor and Catford libraries.

    Add to my Calendar (.ics)

Areas

  • Bellingham
  • Lee Green
  • Lewisham Central

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Planning