South London estate to be demolished for 278 new homes – existing tenants will be housed.

The development is projected to be completed by 2033.

A South London neighbourhood will be razed and replaced with 278 new houses in towers up to 16 stories high, after councillors overwhelmingly approved the plans on Tuesday evening (December 2).

Lewisham Council’s significant regeneration project will redevelop and replace the Achilles Street Estate in New Cross with five new buildings combining homes, stores, and workspace.

The estate was established in the 1950s and consists of three residential buildings named Azalea House, Fenton House, and Austin House, as well as a row of 12 stores on New Cross Road.

The site currently has 88 homes, consisting of 51 social rent houses, 36 privately owned flats, and one unoccupied unit. In 2019, Lewisham Council held an estate ballot, with a 92% turnout and 73% of residents voting in favour of the plans.

During Tuesday’s meeting, a planning official explained that the development will be completed in three phases, with qualified tenants and leaseholders offered a new house on the estate before their current property is removed.

Of the 278 new homes, 122 will be social rent and 44 will be intermediate Shared Ownership homes, totalling 60% ‘affordable’ housing by unit number. The remaining 112 residences will be for private sale.

According to Lewisham Council, one-third of all homes are built for families and will have dual or triple aspect windows for improved light and ventilation. The buildings will be 4 to 16 storeys tall, with flexible commercial floorspace.

The ideas will provide expanded pedestrian and bicycle access to Fordham Park, as well as vehicle and cycle parking and rubbish storage.

When it came to closing speeches, Cllr Rosie Parry requested that the Committee accept and adopt the plans.