63 affordable homes at Catford Police Station, London SE6

What was proposed

The application proposed converting and partly demolishing the former police station, building two rear blocks and creating 63 affordable homes.

“Screening: N/A SITE AND CONTEXT Site description and current use 1 The site is 0.32 hectares and comprises the vacant former Catford Police Station on the western side of Bromley Road. The building has historical and architectural interest and is a locally listed building (non-designated heritage asset). The main frontage building has four storeys (three full storeys and a mansard roof level) and a part basement.”

“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 11 01/048641/X - The installation of a custody cage at Catford Police Station, Bromley Road SE6. Granted planning permission 06/06/2001.”

Officer report

The site today

The site is a vacant former police station with a locally listed frontage building, rear buildings, yards and vehicle accesses.

“Character of area 2 On Bromley Road the site is bounded to the south by the front car park and three storey brick building, Hudson House, used as an army reservist centre and it is a locally listed building (non-designated heritage asset). The site is bounded to the north by the southern flank of three storey residential townhouses.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Ten objections and a 37-signature petition raised concerns about design, height, privacy, daylight, parking, highways, construction and local services, while consultees mainly raised no objection subject to conditions.

“INTERNAL CONSULTATION 29 The following internal consultees were notified on 14/04/2025. Pollution (Air Quality): Raises no objection subject to conditions on air quality assessment, dust management plan, non-road mobile machinery, air-source heat pumps. Pollution (Contamination): Raises no objection subject to conditions on providing a contamination site investigation, details of infill materials, and a piling method statement.”

“And to secure conditions to provide a car parking management plan, a delivery and servicing plan, and a construction logistics plan. Designing Out Crime (Met Police): Raises no objection subject to conditions to provide details of secure by design (SBD) measures and detail of SBD accreditation. Active Travel England: Raises no objection. Standing advice should be referred to along with TfL comments.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents said the taller blocks would dominate nearby homes, increase parking pressure and construction disturbance, reduce privacy and fail to meet guidance on daylight, sunlight and street height.

“The Committee heard submissions by four residents who represented the Arkindale Road, Bosbury Road, Coronersburg Crescent and Carstairs Road (ABCC) Community, who were objecting to the application for the following reasons:”

“That the proposed six-storey block would be much taller than existing two- storey homes, which would dominate the area and be out of scale. • That overspill parking would be expected to affect nearby businesses and homes causing congestion and pressure on public transport. • That large-scale construction would likely to disturb pest and that the developer should fund proactive pest control as part of the construction environmental management plan.”

Minutes

Who spoke

The applicant team supported the scheme, and four residents representing a local community group spoke against it.

The committee’s decision

The committee unanimously authorised permission subject to a legal agreement and conditions, amended to require tall trees near the northern boundary to protect privacy.

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

“- For change of use from sui generis to Class C3; Partial demolition and alterations to existing buildings and the construction of two blocks to the rear of part 5/part 6 storeys and part 4/part 5 storeys with self-contained residential (C3 Use Class) dwellings, and other associated works including alterations to vehicle and pedestrian access; provision of car and cycle parking; landscaping; amenity space and refuse storage at Catford Police Station, 333 Bromley Road,…”

Minutes