Greenwich Council's planning board has been recommended to grant planning permission for 254 homes at the former Lewisham College site in Deptford, part of a larger 802-home development, despite Lewisham Council's refusal of its half of the plans. The recommendation will be considered at a meeting on Tuesday, October 13, following a deferral in September.
Cross-borough disagreement over Deptford Reach
The proposed development, named Deptford Reach, spans both sides of Deptford Creek, which marks the boundary between Lewisham and Greenwich. The application is split into two sections, with each council responsible for its own part. Lewisham's strategic planning committee resolved to refuse its portion at a meeting on September 24, citing concerns about building heights, particularly a 30-storey tower block described as a "visually prominent and incongruous feature" that could harm nearby heritage sites, including St Paul's Church on Deptford High Street.
On the same evening, Greenwich's planning board deferred its decision despite a recommendation for approval. The Greenwich element includes 254 homes across four buildings, and the upcoming meeting will revisit the same recommendation.
Statutory process and potential appeal
Despite Lewisham's refusal, a formal decision notice has not yet been issued because the application must be referred to the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State. If neither intervenes, the applicant could still appeal the decision. Due to this uncertainty, Greenwich's recommendation includes an amendment allowing the council to refuse its part if the Lewisham element is ultimately refused.
An update published ahead of Greenwich's planning board meeting stated: "The Lewisham resolution to refuse does not, in itself, provide a basis either to defer determination of, or refuse, the Royal Greenwich application. As set out above, there remain a number of statutory stages through which planning permission for the Lewisham element could still ultimately be granted, including through the appeal process."
Development details and public benefits
The update added that the amendment ensures planning permission for the Greenwich element could not be issued if the Lewisham element has no extant route to permission, while avoiding prematurely refusing or deferring an otherwise acceptable application. Property developer RER London submitted the Deptford Reach proposal in March 2025.
Alongside the 802 homes across eight blocks, the plans include opening up the waterside area of Deptford Creek for public use, with space for several retail and leisure units also proposed. The final decision on the Greenwich portion will be made by the planning board on October 13, with the outcome depending on the statutory processes for the Lewisham element.
