Progress on Besson Street

The New Cross Gate Trust is pleased to see that the Besson Street development site is now moving forwards. Lewisham Council selected Grainger (UK’s largest listed residential landlord) as their partner to deliver a major, ground breaking new rental housing scheme. The legal work necessary to create the joint venture structure to bring this development forward is now complete.  Public consultation dates are therefore expected imminently on the design of this new development, prior to a planning application being submitted early next year (2019). We will advertise and promote these events as soon as we have dates.  This joint venture will develop and own 232 new purpose-built private rented homes and provide a new ethical rental offer to Lewisham residents including long-term, family friendly tenancies. Thirty five percent of the new homes will be let at London Living Rent (calculated as not more than a third of total income from two people co-habiting and both earning London Living Wage). This will help to ensure that local working families are able to stay in the area and not get priced out by soaring rents. They will also offer longer term (up to 5 year) tenancies to ensure that residents have some stability and security of tenure.  In addition to the new homes, the partnership will develop a new GP surgery, healthy living centre for the local community, new office space for the New Cross Gate Trust, a pharmacy and an outdoor gym. Rental income from the GP surgery will be used to deliver a variety of health and employment focussed activities and services for the local community. 

The need for social housing: While this development offers a valuable product for many local families (many of whom will not be eligible for social housing), the New Cross Gate Trust recognises that there is still a significant need for more social housing in the local area. We will continue to engage in discussions with the council, local planning consultations and regeneration schemes in the local area to emphasise the importance and need for social housing.