Islamic centre and six flats at 363-365 Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, London SE13

What was proposed

The proposal would replace existing buildings with a worship and community building, six flats, landscaping and cycle storage, without off-street car parking.

“[name withheld], 1618 Architects Proposal: The demolition of the existing buildings at 363-369 Lewisham High Street & 2A/B Mount Pleasant Road SE13 and the construction of a four-storey plus basement building to accommodate a place of worship (Use Class F.1) and ancillary uses, an adjoining part-three and part-four storey residential building accommodating six apartments with associated landscaping and cycle storage.”

“Granted on 25 September 2009; DC/22/128244: The demolition of the existing buildings at 363-369 Lewisham High Street & 2A/B Mount Pleasant Road SE13 and the construction of a four-storey plus basement building to accommodate a place of worship (Use Class F.1) and ancillary uses, an adjoining three storey residential building accommodating six apartments with associated landscaping and cycle storage.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains existing worship, education, business and residential uses, beside a petrol station and near residential streets, with very good public transport access.

“Figure 2 – images of the application site [Source: Google Maps] Character of area 5 The surrounding area comprises of 3-4 storey height terrace buildings along Lewisham High Street, providing commercial uses at ground floor level and residential uses on the upper floors. The properties along Mount Pleasant Road are generally semi-detached three-storey residential properties with lower ground floors.”

“Is this report easy to understand? Please give us feedback so we can improve. Go to https://lewisham.gov.uk/contact-us/send-us-feedback-on-our-reports 8 Adjacent to the site to the north is a petrol filling station which poses a potential contamination risk should any hydrocarbons migrate onto the site. Transport 9 The site has a PTAL rating of 5, which is a very good level of public transport accessibility.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The applicant’s agent and architect explained the scheme, three residents supported it, and Councillor Tauseef Anwar spoke about community need and safeguards.

What members discussed

Members asked about daylight, basement construction, subsidence, traffic, parking controls and how the travel plan would encourage active travel.

“Construction of a Travel Plan. Officers responded as follows:”

“That the travel plan aimed to encourage more active travel and less car use for visitors to the Islamic Centre, with measures like car sharing and public transport to be secured through a legally binding Section 106 agreement, and TfL would be consulted to ensure the plan follows their guidance.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Rathbone moved approval, Councillor Clarke seconded it, and the committee agreed unanimously.

“In considering the additional responses by the Officers, Councillor Rathbone moved the recommendation to grant planning permission, subject to conditions in the report, which was seconded by Councillor Clarke and voted upon…”

“MOVED, SECONDED and Unanimously RESOLVED subject to completion of a satisfactory legal agreement to AUTHORISE the Director of Planning to GRANT PERMISSION:”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was authorised subject to a satisfactory legal agreement and conditions, with delegated refusal possible if the agreement was not completed by 25 May 2026.

“If a satisfactory legal agreement has not been entered into by 25 May 2026 (the ‘Completion Target Date’) it is recommended that authority be delegated to the Director of Planning so they may:”

Minutes