The redevelopment of the former Bell Green gas works site in Lower Sydenham provides an opportunity to promote new homes as well as business and employment within Lewisham.
The Council has granted planning permission for an application from Castlemore Developments to develop two sites in this area.
The Government Office for London also considered these decisions. A public inquiry took place in June 2006.
Development phases of the Bell Green site
The development site at Bell Green has historically been divided into three distinct development phases:
- The Phase I land has been developed to provide a Savacentre hypermarket (now trading as Sainsbury's) and is now fully developed.
- The Phase II land is the area between the gas holders and the linear park, to the north of the spine road and the Sainsbury store.
- The Phase III land is the vacant site to the west of the Sainsbury's car park, fronting Bell Green.
History of the planning application
Decisions made by our Strategic Planning Committee
On 16 June 2005, the Strategic Planning Committee resolved to grant outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the Bell Green gas works (Phase III land) involving the provision of two retail units, 156 flats, landscaping and 164 bicycle and 111 car parking spaces.
At that same meeting, members resolved to defer consideration of the application to redevelop Bell Green Gas Works (Phase II land). They asked for more information about the “drive thru” restaurant, employment issues and on site security.
The Phase II application (along with a duplicate application) was re-referred to Strategic Planning Committee on 14 July 2005. The applicant had deleted the “drive thru” element of the restaurant, provided funding to improve CCTV coverage in and around Bell Green (so that the car park could be monitored outside store opening hours) and provided more details of potential employment levels.
Following this further information, members resolved to grant planning permission.
The documents for these meetings are available in the Strategic Planning Committee archive.
Decisions made by the London Mayor
All three applications were then referred to the Mayor for London. In all cases (Phases II and III) the London Mayor was content to allow Lewisham Council to determine the cases itself. In other words, the London Mayor chose not to intervene and direct refusal of planning permission.
Decisions made by the Government Office for London
The cases were then referred to the Government Office For London. A ten day public enquiry started in June 2006.
The Secretary of State then granted planning permission for the redevelopment proposals for the Bell Green Phase II and Phase III sites.
Current work
The developer is now working to meet the various planning conditions attached to the planning permission. The company has to meet conditions covering decontamination, construction management and environmental management before construction begins.
The delivery of employment floorspace is controlled through a section 106 agreement that forms part of the planning permission.
Works on the site are expected to begin in Summer 2007.
Works to widen Bell Green will be undertaken as part of the Phase II development.