Occupying a prominent arrival point on Loampit Vale, the island brownfield site is set to be reimagined into a lively neighbourhood defined by innovative living typologies, new public realm and a rich mix of ground-floor uses. The masterplan blends 385 build-to-rent homes, 682 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) bedspaces and 383 co-living dwellings across five buildings. A mix of accommodation and sizes supports the diverse population of Lewisham, with each building benefitting from its own residential amenity space including gyms, gardens, lounges, outdoor terraces and co-working spaces.

The proposals have been shaped through close collaboration with the London Borough of Lewisham, GLA, TfL and extensive engagement with local residents, schools and businesses. Utilising JTP Engages innovative participatory techniques including co-design sessions interactive design tables, a giant ideas wall, VR experiences and children’s toolkit the team worked closely with the local community to understand existing challenges and needs of the residents to develop the vision. Across four public engagement events over 250 people took part, with more than 6,700 visits to the online consultation platform and the distribution of 3,500 leaflets. Insights from the community directly informed the design strategy, ensuring the neighbourhood reflects the needs and aspirations of the people who call Lewisham home.

A commitment to environmental sustainability and greening ambitions underpin the design, with the landscape approach promoting a variety of open spaces across the masterplan. Along Loampit Vale, a new linear rain garden will be introduced to form a green buffer between pedestrian pathways and the adjacent busy carriageway, alongside 94 new trees and 24 retained trees targeting 10%, biodiversity net gain and an urban greening factor of 0.4. Together, these measures create a varied network of outdoor spaces for nature, leisure and everyday community life.

Responding to local priorities for safer, more connected streets, the development introduces new car-free, permeable routes that connect the island site to its neighbours for the first time. These pedestrian and cycle links lead to a generous central public space designed for community use. The proposals safeguard future connectivity too, with the layout coordinated closely with TfL to enable the seamless delivery of a potential new Bakerloo extension station entrance to the northeast and buildings orientated to mark the arrival into Lewisham.

Shaped by the findings of community engagement, the ground-floor strategy prioritises social vibrancy and local enterprise. To shape this commercial strategy, the design team worked with place specialists Beispiel, who undertook extensive local behavioural research, 115 site visits and workshops with traders and community groups. The result is a ground-floor framework of 1,752 sqm of commercial space anchored by a proposed major food hall, complemented by shops, cafés and flexible units aimed at supporting local businesses. These uses will enliven the public realm throughout the day and evening, building on Lewisham’s cultural energy and strengthening its town centre economy.

Architecturally, the buildings form a coherent family while responding sensitively to their context. Two complementary typologies – Feature Buildings and Street Buildings – use variations in material, colour and detailing to break down scale and enrich the townscape. The façade draws on a local historical inspiration: a former Coca-Cola bottling plant that once operated on the site. Its distinctive bottle-cap ridges and glass-bottle fluting have been abstracted into a repeating scallop motif, used at different scales to create rhythm, texture and distinctive identity.

“We have worked closely with the local authority and the people of Lewisham to reimagine this exceptionally complex island site as a landmark alternative residential neighbourhood – one that truly reflects the kaleidoscope of people who call the borough home. Transforming Lewisham Retail Park has been a hugely rewarding opportunity to open the site up with a unified and inviting public realm, new and enhanced routes, with ground floor uses that ensure the streets remain welcoming, animated and accessible throughout the day. This is a place designed to support local life and enrich the heart of Lewisham Town Centre.”

– Emma Armstrong, Partner at JTP