Tibbalds’ submission for mixed use scheme at Deptford Creek granted detailed planning consent

Lewisham’s strategic planning Committee granted detailed planning consent for a major mixed use scheme in Deptford Creek last night.

The scheme, which was promoted by the site’s owners Workspace involves both the retention and refurbishment of existing and the construction of new buildings to provide a mix of flexible work and living spaces at the heart of an area which already supports a rich mix of creative industries.

The site is protected for employment purposes and forms part of a conservation area, the latter of which was designated largely in response to its unique industrial character and the diverse mix of uses it supports. Given this situation it was necessary, as part of the regeneration process to come up with a robust set of arguments to justify the redevelopment of the site for a mix of uses and to evolve a set of design proposals that retained the unique character of the area.

Working collaboratively with a design and planning team, lead by Karakusevic Carson, LB Lewisham and GLA we have developed a scheme, which responds appropriately to the location and which has sought to strike an appropriate balance between the policy aspirations and financial considerations.

Given the existing use a key part of the regeneration involves the establishment of a business continuity fund and relocation strategy which, together will manage the transfer of existing businesses to alternative sites in the locality whilst redevelopment takes place.

The scheme will deliver some 7,000sqm of raw, flexible commercial space suitable for a mix of artists and creative industries and 148 mixed tenure homes in two retained/ refurbished buildings and four new buildings. The buildings are set within a high quality landscape, which responds to the industrial character of the location and which builds upon the ecology and diversity of the creek environment.