28 Jun Catford is an investment hotspot

Catford is on the brink of great change and the time to get involved is absolutely now.

This was the London Borough of Lewisham’s message to investors at LREF as the multitude of regeneration opportunities were highlighted.

Potential allies to come forward ahead of soft market testing on how the borough can deliver the sites, and with the imminent appointment of designers for a Catford masterplan.

The time to get involved is now as development is beginning to gather pace in Catford.

The catalyst for change was the decision to reroute the South Circular for which Housing Infrastructure Fund contributions, cross-party political support and backing from the GLA and TfL had been secured. The Draft London Plan’s ambitious housing targets and Catford as a potential stop on Phase 2 of the Bakerloo Line Extension were also fuelling growth.

Around 11 hectares of under-utilised land will be unlocked, providing space for almost 3,000 new homes.

Regeneration sites include Plassy Island, an out-of-town retail in the town centre, land between the two stations, the council’s Laurence House and associated parking, and Catford shopping centre. One of the key aims is to increase the number of people living in the town centre.

The council is a major landowner – six hectares – so is instrumental in pushing that forward with the support of the established residential community and the working community.

Team Catford (www.teamcatford.com) has been appointed to involve the community through a range of initiatives, from a website to talking to people on the ground