The first part of the meeting, held to discuss budget cuts and the housing allocations consultation, was essentially held in private because of technical issues, though the director presenting the cuts summarised what he had said later. The local democracy service has asked the council for a recording of the full meeting and said the meeting should never have gone ahead if it wasn’t accessible to the public. Lewisham Council needs to make £40 million in cuts over the next three years. It published a second round of cuts proposals this month worth £15.1 million, added to the more than £26 million set out in November.
The first part of the meeting, held to discuss budget cuts and the housing allocations consultation, was essentially held in private because of technical issues, though the director presenting the cuts summarised what he had said later. The local democracy service has asked the council for a recording of the full meeting and said the meeting should never have gone ahead if it wasn’t accessible to the public. Lewisham Council needs to make £40 million in cuts over the next three years. It published a second round of cuts proposals this month worth £15.1 million, added to the more than £26 million set out in November.
The proposals will see Mais House, formerly sheltered housing, and 38 garages in Otto Close knocked down. The proposed replacement for Mais House, made up of 99 flats, will see the height rise to seven storeys.
The plans The Otto Close garages will be rebuilt as a part two and three-storey terrace block with 11 houses. Residents spoke against the scheme at the planning meeting, concerned about density, pressure on amenities, disabled access, and the impact the development would have on Grade II listed Lammas Green and the conservation area. But planning officers and committee members felt “on balance” the need for social housing was too important.
Catford Lewisham’s cabinet member for housing and planning has urged residents to attend consultation events on the Catford Town Centre Framework. It comes after residents submitted public questions at full council on Wednesday (January 20) about a lack of publicity around the events, with concerns raised that not many local residents know about them.
Lewisham Council is planning to deliver thousands of new homes in Catford over the next ten to 15 years. Team Catford, leading public engagement on behalf of Lewisham council, is consulting with residents before the framework for the £500 million redevelopment is finalised. Local campaign group Catford Against Social Cleansing has previously urged the council to extend the consultation period.
They were told that not only does the developer have plans to build housing on Plot 21, but Lewisham Council asked Hutchison to do it. Representatives of the scheme said heavy goods vehicle access was not compatible with Plot 21, that the council was under pressure to build more homes, and that housing would be a better option for the site. Mike Stowell from Farrells said more housing on the site has already been agreed with the GLA in principle. “The council have asked for housing on this site now – this has been agreed with the GLA in principle,” he said. After locals voiced their concerns online, Lewisham’s cabinet member for housing and planning, Cllr Paul Bell, put out a statement denying the claims.