The decision, made under Section 96A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, grants developer London Square permission to remove the phrase “up to 15-storeys (including basement level)” from the official planning description.
The planning request to Lewisham Council received 88 objections from local residents and organisations, including the Lee Manor Society, Lee Forum, and the Blackheath Society.
Lee Manor Society said: “London Square argued that this initial change was ‘non-material’ but the Lee Manor Society and other objectors said it was material because it was clearly a precursor to a bid to increase the height of the tower under a Section 73 application.”
Locals also criticised the development, saying that this could enable a future increase of the number of storeys and that the amendment could undermine prior consultation, which led to limitations on building heights due to local objections.
Objectors also said that the Lee Neighbourhood Plan and Lewisham’s draft Local Plan both recommend that buildings at Leegate not exceed 12 storeys.
One objection submitted outlined concerns that the removal of the text was a “dereliction” of the borough’s responsibilities.
The objection says: “To consider removing the text that relates in general to its overall height would simply be wrong and a dereliction of LBL’s responsibilities to its borough’s residents, as this is clearly a material consideration of the proposed development.”
In plans approved in November 2024, the Leegate scheme allowed for a large-scale redevelopment of the former Leegate Shopping Centre in Eltham Road, including 561 residential units, 690 sqm of flexible commercial space, a community centre and public house and three new blocks.
Under the original plans, approval was granted for Block A to be up to 15 storeys, Block B up to 12 storeys, and Block C up to eight storeys.
The development also includes public realm enhancements, landscaping, improved transport access, cycle parking, and other supporting infrastructure.
Whist the height limit hasn’t changed as of yet, there could potentially be scope for developer London Square to apply at a later stage to increase the height of certain buildings following this change.
The approved plans still stipulate that Block A can be up to 15 storeys, this change doesn’t allow taller buildings.
However, there are concerns expressed by Lee Manor Society that the removal of this wording may allow for the height of the main tower to be increased.
Any changes to the number of storeys or building heights would require a new planning application under Section 73, involving a full consultation.
In the planning documents, Lewisham Council said this change is minor and doesn’t affect what’s already been approved – but it does open the door for future proposals to raise the height.
In addition to the height amendment, London Square has submitted another planning request, which outlines plans to begin demolition work before undertaking a floodplain storage mitigation scheme.
This condition was part of the original consent, designed to manage local flood risk as part of the redevelopment.
London Square told the News Shopper that a revised planning application was submitted on July 4 to reduce the building heights following a public consultation.
A spokesperson for London Square said: “Following public consultation with local residents and amenity groups, we have listened to feedback and have reduced building heights to those presented in our public exhibition.
“A revised planning application has been submitted and is being reviewed by the London Borough of Lewisham. London Square always works closely with the local community and stakeholders to ensure that we are delivering much-needed new homes of the highest quality.
“At Leegate, this will include 46 per cent of affordable homes, a mix of one, two and three bedroom homes.”
