Lewisham Council has published a revised regeneration plan for Catford town centre, aiming to deliver transport upgrades, affordable housing, and public realm improvements through a single coordinated programme. The new Catford Town Centre Business Plan 2026-2030 replaces the previous 2021 framework, which stalled due to changes in funding, market conditions, and Government priorities.
Key projects in the new plan
The updated programme includes a revised scheme for A205/A21 improvements, developed jointly with Transport for London (TfL) after the withdrawal of Government funding for the larger South Circular realignment in 2025. Proposed measures include a new pedestrian crossing near Catford Bridge Tavern, better walking and cycling routes, additional cycle parking, and public realm enhancements around the Broadway Theatre.
Work on improving connections between Catford and Catford Bridge stations is scheduled for 2027-2028, while the Thomas' Lane Yard scheme, which will deliver 113 affordable homes, is expected to be completed by 2028. The plan also includes restoring the Catford Cat, along with short-term improvements such as better lighting, cleaner streets, and market upgrades.
Council's 'rescue plan' for Catford
Cllr Daniel Dream, Lewisham Council's Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration, Housing Delivery and Planning, described the updated programme as a "rescue plan for Catford." He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "Hopefully with the new plan there's going to be a lot more transparency in terms of what's actually coming in the short, medium, and long-term."
Dream, who is a Catford resident, added: "We can't just keep hoping that things get better or things take care of themselves, but there are moves being made through this paper that I think address the shortcomings of the way the town centre has been dealt with in recent years. It points towards something a lot more optimistic and a lot more deliverable."
Future developments and community impact
Goldsmiths, University of London's new campus is expected to open in Catford in late 2027, bringing around 500 to 600 students and staff into the town centre. The campus will be located at Lewisham Council's Old Town Hall and will house the university's Fine Art and Design courses.
The council is also planning a 'retrofit-first approach' to existing sites such as Laurence House, Canadian Avenue car park, Milford Towers, and Holbeach Road car park. A refreshed Catford Town Centre Framework will be developed to shape the long-term future of the area.
Cllr Dream emphasized the importance of preserving Catford's heritage: "There's a lot of great stuff in Catford already, there's a lot of really valuable architectural heritage, and it often gets left out of regeneration conversations. We do need to see the quality of what's [in Catford] and take better care of that quality, and factor that into where we need new things and where we carry older things into the future."
The new business plan is subject to Mayor and Cabinet review and approval on Wednesday, September 9. If approved, it will guide investment and development in Catford through 2030, with the council aiming to deliver tangible improvements in the short, medium, and long term.
