Invest in Lewisham

Catford

With around 6,000 public sector jobs based in the area, Catford is the borough’s civic heart and is home to an emerging cluster of creative businesses and affordable workspace. With a new masterplan for the area now in place, work is underway to deliver the Council’s vision for the future of Catford. 

Catford Town Centre Framework

The Catford Town Centre Framework seeks to transform the town centre, supporting the delivery of 2,700 homes, additional business workspace and new retail opportunities. 60% of these potential new homes are planned on sites which are Council-controlled, allowing Lewisham Council to play an important enabling role in the development of the town centre. Catford already enjoys a growing night-time economy, boosted by the recent restoration and reopening of the Broadway Theatre, which provides a focal point for the borough’s cultural offer.

With a focus on sustainability throughout the framework plan and an ambition to create the greenest town centre in London, Catford also offers the opportunity to showcase innovative approaches to zero-carbon development and new strategies for increasing biodiversity in urban environments.

In 2025, Catford town centre secured £50,000 through the Mayor of London’s High Street Place Labs programme. The funding is being used to develop a shared strategy for the town centre area, addressing challenges, guiding public realm improvements and activity in line with the shared vision outlined in the Catford Town Centre Framework.

Goldsmiths, University of London will open a new campus in Catford at the Old Town Hall, bringing over 600 students into the town centre and boosting local businesses. The move builds on a long-standing partnership with Lewisham Council and a shared commitment to inclusive regeneration through education, culture and creativity.

Thomas’ Lane Yard

Thomas’ Lane Yard, a significant affordable homes and mixed-use regeneration scheme, was approved by Planning Committee in April 2025. The project, along with the renovation of the former Catford Constitutional Club (CCC), is part of the first phase of the Catford Town Centre Framework (CTCF) adopted by the council in 2021.

The development will deliver:

100% affordable homes – a significant increase from 50% affordable homes previously reported
113 affordable units comprising of 39 new social rented homes (target rent) and 74 shared ownership flats – the homes will be in two separate blocks, Nelgarde House, 8 storeys and Doggett House, 12 storeys
accessible homes – 10% of the homes provided will meet the M4(3) standard wheelchair user dwelling – the remainder will meet the M4(2) adaptable dwelling standard in accordance with the London Plan
over 1,000sqm of new commercial and office space including a proportion of affordable workspace as required by the GLA Good Growth Grant – the space will be designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent certification and the commercial space is located on the ground floor of both buildings and the workspace is on the first floor of Nelgarde House, helping to boost the vibrancy and safety of the public space
over 3,000sqm of enhanced public realm making it greener, cleaner and more accessible whilst also addressing community concerns regarding local anti-social behaviour
a car-free development (with the exception of Blue Badge holders) to align with the Council’s aspirations to encourage walking, cycling and sustainable travel in the borough