Organisation

Lewisham council

86 stories · discussed at 5 council meetings · 4 councils

Lewisham Council recently refused a major development at the former Lewisham College site, while addressing significant financial overspends and enhancing resident services.

Lewisham Council's Strategic Planning Committee refused planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Lewisham College site in September 2026, citing heritage and urban design impacts. This decision followed officer recommendations regarding the scale and massing of the proposed 802 dwellings. Greenwich Council's Planning Board subsequently deferred its decision on the cross-borough project in September 2026, pending Lewisham Council's determination.

In September 2026, the Public Accounts Select Committee heard that Lewisham Council faces a projected £10 million overspend for SEND services and a £6.5 million overspend due to parking contract costs. Despite these financial pressures, the council launched a 'cash-first' Crisis and Resilience Fund for residents and approved an £83 million investment in housing repairs in September 2026.

Lewisham Council insourced mental health social care services and committed to reviewing its parental leave policy in September 2026, aiming for a minimum of six weeks' fully paid leave. The council also secured an £800,000 grant for a new children's home and improved the speed of EHCP reviews in September 2026 following an LGO investigation. No upcoming meetings are currently scheduled to discuss this topic.

Key facts

  1. Lewisham Council's Strategic Planning Committee refused planning permission for the former Lewisham College site on 24 September 2026. Source
  2. Greenwich Council's Planning Board deferred a decision on the former Lewisham College site on 28 September 2026. Source
  3. Lewisham Council is facing a projected £10 million overspend on its high needs block for SEND services, as heard in September 2026. Source
  4. Lewisham Council launched a 'cash-first' Crisis and Resilience Fund for residents on 23 September 2026. Source
  5. Lewisham Council approved an £83 million investment in housing repairs and maintenance on 09 September 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 10

  1. Lewisham Council Tax Collection Below Target; New Measures Planned Lewisham Council's tax collection rates have fallen below targeted levels, prompting the council to implement new measures to improve efficiency. The drop in collection rates... Lewisham 19 September 2025
  2. Lewisham Extends Supported Housing Contract for Young People Lewisham Council has extended its contract with Single Homeless Project (SHP) to continue providing specialist supported housing for young people in the borough. Lewisham 14 September 2025
  3. Lewisham to Remove RAAC from Myatt Garden Primary Roof Lewisham Council has approved the complete removal of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) from the roof of Myatt Garden Primary School in Brockley, prioritising the... Lewisham 14 September 2025
  4. Lewisham Approves Funding for Surrey Canal Station Lewisham Council has approved the use of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funds to support the delivery of the long-awaited Surrey Canal Station. The decision was... Lewisham 14 September 2025
  5. Lewisham Expands Air Quality Monitoring with 100 New Sensors Lewisham Council is significantly expanding its air quality monitoring capabilities with the installation of 100 new small automatic air quality sensors across the borough. Lewisham 14 September 2025
  6. Lewisham Council to Retrofit 250 Homes for Energy Efficiency Lewisham Council is set to retrofit 250 homes with energy-efficient upgrades, thanks to £2.5m in funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. The council has also... Lewisham 14 September 2025
  7. Lewisham Council to trial interactive ASB map for residents Lewisham Council is set to trial an interactive map that will allow residents to view and report antisocial behaviour (ASB) incidents in their area. Lewisham 8 September 2025
  8. Lewisham Council Appoints Members to Licensing Sub-Committees Lewisham Council has appointed councillors to five licensing sub-committees, as agreed at the Licensing Committee meeting on 13 August 2025. These sub-committees are essential... Lewisham 17 August 2025