Ambitious plans to demolish and completely redevelop Lewisham Retail Park in South East London have been formally submitted to the local authority.
A Vision for a New Neighbourhood
The developer behind the scheme, Amro Partners, acquired the 2.8-acre site on Loampit Vale in 2024 and has now put forward a £650 million proposal. The application, submitted on December 4, is currently awaiting validation by Lewisham Council.
If approved, the project would see the existing retail park replaced with a mixed-use neighbourhood featuring five new buildings. The residential offer is substantial, comprising 387 Build-to-Rent homes (from one to three-bedroom flats), 383 co-living studios, and accommodation for 682 students. In total, this equates to 1,452 new units.
Placemaking and Commercial Space
Beyond housing, the plans include nearly 2,000 sqm of commercial space. Amro is reportedly in advanced discussions with specialist food hall operators to take approximately 1,000 sqm of this area, aiming to create a new culinary destination.
The development is designed with placemaking at its core. Proposals feature two residential garden spaces and a central square, which would include:
- Public seating and open lawns.
- Children's play areas.
- New footpaths and cycleways.
- Almost 100 new trees.
Raj Kotecha, CEO and Co-founder of Amro Partners, described the project as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to create a thriving and sustainable new neighbourhood. He emphasised that the vision has been shaped by extensive local engagement.
Timeline and Local Context
The project's timeline is set for the latter part of the decade. Subject to planning consent, construction could begin in early 2027, with phased openings throughout 2029 and 2030.
This application follows a previous consent granted to the site's former owner, Legal & General, in 2018, which never materialised. It also adds to the significant transformation underway in Lewisham, sitting alongside the approved £1.5 billion redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre by Landsec, which will deliver over 1,700 homes.
A key detail yet to be finalised is the level of affordable housing within Amro's scheme. The developer confirms it is still in discussions with the council regarding this provision. Once validated, the plans will enter the formal determination process, including a public consultation period.
