Lewisham Open Space Review

Overview

About the study and policy

The Lewisham Open Space Review is an evidence base document that will support the preparation of the new Lewisham Local Plan. The Local Plan, once adopted, will form part of the Council’s statutory Development Plan alongside the London Plan (2021) and adopted Neighbourhood Plans. It will be used in the determination of planning applications.

The study builds upon the Open Space Assessment (2020) and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation Survey (2016). It has also been prepared alongside a new Metropolitan Open Land Review - Additional Sites Report (2021).  The Council has carried out an up-to-date needs assessment of open spaces in line with national planning policy. The Open Space Review has been prepared to build on this, as well as to inform the setting of appropriate designations and policies in the new Local Plan. This will ensure that open spaces are protected so that local needs are met and deficiencies are addressed, as required by London Plan Policy G4 (Open space).

Background

The Council is currently preparing a new Local Plan. We carried out a public consultation on the Lewisham Local Plan: Main Issues and Preferred Approaches document (Regulation 18 stage) from January to April 2021.

The consultation reflected a significant amount of interest in the topic on open and green spaces and sites with nature conservation interests. We received comments from statutory bodies, local communities and community groups, developers and others. The study has been prepared in response to this feedback.

Local Plan Policy GR2 (Open Space) - Revised draft policy

Following feedback on the Regulation 18 stage consultation of the draft Local Plan we have prepared a revised open space policy. We are publishing this alongside the Open Space Review to show how the hierarchy of open space designations set out in the study will be applied in planning policy. The underlying principle of the policy is to protect open spaces, which includes green spaces. 

Why your views matter

What we are seeking your views on

There is no statutory requirement for the Council to consult on this evidence base document. However in response to the significant amount of interest on open and green spaces we are publishing the Open Space Review so that those who wish to, have an opportunity to review and comment.

We would like to learn if there:

• Is any technical ecological information or evidence that you feel should be considered as part of this study
• If there are any open and green spaces that the study failed to consider

What we are not asking

We appreciate that there are wide-ranging views on open and green spaces. However:

• As this is an evidence base document which has been prepared by independent consultants to provide an objective assessment we are not asking whether you agree or disagree with the findings of the study.
• We are not asking for views on the draft policy however this has been prepared in response to the new evidence responding to Regulation 18 comments.

How to submit comments

To submit any comments you may have on the Lewisham Open Space Review and Metropolitian Open Land Review - Additional Sites please do so reviewing the documents attached below and complete the following survey or by e-mailing:

LocalPlan@lewisham.gov.uk

or in writing to;

Strategic Planning, Laurence House, 1 Catford Rd, Catford, London, SE6 4RU

Deadline for comments

The deadline for comments is 10 June 2022.

Next steps

All comments received will be considered as the Open Space Review is finalised. The completed study will then be used to inform the preparation of the Local Plan – Proposed Submission Document (Regulation 19 stage), which will be published for public consultation, tentatively scheduled for autumn 2022.