Agenda item

Lewisham Gateway Affordable Housing Contribution

The Head of Planning introduced the report, and explained the meaning of Affordable Housing. Panel Members noted that the % of Affordable Housing has now been increased from 10% to 20%.

The Chair asked how many more phases were planned and was told the next phase would be the planning phase, and the heights have increased to 31 storeys. In response to a question from Panel Members it was noted that affordable homes would include a mixture of units, but predominantly 1 & 2 bedrooms accommodations, as 3 bedrooms were not popular in town centres. The Chair asked for a breakdown of the units and bedrooms planned, to be sent to Business Panel Members as they were not yet available.

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The Head of Planning explained that one advantage of this scheme was that Pepper Potting could be done. Councillor Sorba asked if many of these homes would be set aside for Lewisham residents and was told that the GLA had an illegibility criteria and the affordable homes would be for Lewisham residents, but the market rent homes would be open to everyone. The Head of Planning said officers would make some additions to the section 106 Agreement to ensure Lewisham residents were given priority.

Councillor Johnston-Franklin asked if officers could try to increase the number of 3 bedrooms accommodation within the 20% Affordable Housing group, and ensure these flats were on the lower floors. Officers said they would discuss this with the Chair of Housing Select Committee. Councillor Muldoon said he is happy with the pepper potting initiative as this build communities. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

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RESOLVED that:

i.              the decision of the Mayor be noted.

ii.            the Mayor be requested to instruct officers to ensure that the Section 106 Agreement Prioritises Lewisham residents in accommodation that is ‘Pepper Potted’ in the development.

iii.           the Mayor be requested to instruct officers to report back to Mayor and Cabinet the different types of accommodation provision, and how the money was been used.

Catford Regeneration Programme

The Programme Manager introduced the report. Panel Members stated that it had taken approximately 50 years of disappointments to get to this stage. They asked why this time was different. The Programme Manager explained that officers were working positively with TFL to produce a better plan. The Chair said there were a lot of concerns about density, and officers needed to ensure the masterplan and proposals go to consultation before any decision was made.

Panel members were informed that there had been consultation with the public very early in the process, before the masterplan was drafted, and a lot of events had been planned to engage with local residents and stakeholders. The Chair asked whether there were any pressure to raise extra money and was told the Council had been granted infrastructure funding of £10m and could get up to £21m. This would ensure the masterplan was completed.

Councillor Curran, Chair of Sustainable Development Select Committee said the Select Committee helped to get the project started. He said in the beginning there was not sufficient co-ordination, and concerns were also raised about density. Councillor Curran said lesson needed to be learnt about building tower blocks, and officers should ensure the masterplan remain the focus.

Councillor Curran highlighted that he was concerned there were no plans for the theatre even though Members had emphasised it should be the centre piece of the masterplan. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that:

i.              the decision of the Mayor be noted.

ii.            the Mayor be requested to instruct officers to take regular updates to the Sustainable Development Select Committee.

iii.           the Mayor be requested to instruct officers to report the appointment of the Architect to Mayor and Cabinet.

iv.           the Mayor be notified that Business Panel recommended that the Broadway Theatre remain the heart of the Catford Regeneration project, and urge that the remodelling and conservation of the Theatre be accelerated in order to progress the masterplan.

New Homes Programme Update

The Housing Strategy and Partnerships Managerintroduced the report.

Panel Members commented that things were not moving fast enough, and the Hillcrest site seemed isolated for a thriving community. They asked if provision could be made for transportation links and other necessary facilities.  The Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager said officers would try to negotiate for the necessary community facilities. The Chair said Council could also lobby for a bus route for the area as this was important.

Panel Members commented that although they welcomed the development it was very important to have transportation link into the area as this would be needed in an area as isolated as Hillcrest. They also raised concerns over the level of consultation that had taken place to date, highlighting that if residents were involved in the planning of the project and given assurance thatimprovements would be made to the area that would facilitate a thriving community they would be responsive to the development. Panel Members also suggested that a community centre could be included in the development plan.

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The Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager informed Panel Members of the wildlife and woodlands in the area, and that officers would take into account comments from Panel Members, as there were a lot of options available, and discussions were ongoing.

The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the decision of the Mayor be noted.