Lee Green, London – Plans by The Church in London to expand the Lee Meeting Hall on Woodyates Road have sparked concerns among local residents, according to documents from a recent Lewisham Council Planning Committee B meeting.
The application, brought before the committee due to 35 individual objections, seeks permission for single-storey extensions to the north-west and south-east elevations to facilitate an improved internal layout for users of the hall. The proposed extensions would allow a main congregational area, children's room, young persons room, kitchenette, lounge, and improved w/c's. The plans also include changes to the parking layout, a new bike store, and a replacement air source heat pump.
Residents voiced concerns about potential overdevelopment, the impact on open space, increased noise and disturbance, and traffic and parking issues. These concerns were raised at a local meeting on 19 March 2025. The minutes from the local meeting are available in the Public Reports Pack.
The site is located within the Lee Neighbourhood Forum area and is designated as an area of Local Open Space Deficiency. A Section 106 agreement from 2001 restricts development on the Open Space Land
surrounding the hall, but the current application only relates to the Retained Land
. According to the Section 106 agreement, the Open Space Land is the area coloured green on the plan, and the Retained Land is the area coloured blue on the plan.
Despite the objections, planning officers have recommended approval, subject to conditions. They argue that the hall has been used for religious worship since 2001 and its continued use aligns with social infrastructure policies and the Lee Neighbourhood Plan which generally respond positively to the provision of community uses, such as places of worship. The proposed extensions are considered proportionate and in keeping with the existing building. To mitigate concerns about noise, traffic, and open space impact, conditions would be imposed to restrict hours of use and limit amplified sound to protect neighbouring properties. The report also addresses transport concerns, noting that the development is car-free and that cycle storage would be provided.
The proposed changes to the parking layout aim to make the arrangement more efficient. The total number of parking spaces (14) will remain the same, with 2 spaces specifically designated as accessible spaces. The report states that the proposed development is not intended to facilitate an increase in congregation numbers and concludes that the proposal would not result in any adverse impacts on pedestrian and highway safety.
The Council's Ecology Officer has requested more detail in the ecological assessment and a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment. If these assessments are deemed insufficient, the planning officers cannot be satisfied that the mandatory 10% BNG can be achieved for the proposed development. The Ecology Officer raised concerns about the lack of detail in the submitted ecological assessment and the need for a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment.
The Planning Committee B is scheduled to discuss the application at its meeting on 15 July 2025. The full agenda and reports are available on the Lewisham Council website.
