Lewisham refuses 802‑home Deptford Creek scheme, mayor declines to intervene
Greenwich Council approved its share on 13 October, while the Secretary of State still holds the power to overturn Lewisham’s refusal
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Lewisham Council’s Strategic Planning Committee voted to refuse the proposal for eight new tower blocks on either side of Deptford Creek in late September 2026. The decision blocks a development that would have added 802 homes to the area, including just 24 affordable units, representing five per cent of the total residential provision.
Background to the cross‑borough application
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The scheme, put forward by developer RER London, spans the borough boundary between Lewisham and Greenwich. Greenwich Council gave its approval on 13 October 2026, but made the approval conditional on Lewisham’s refusal being overturned. The council’s approval was reported by MyLondon.
Lewisham’s planners argued that the concentration of several high‑rise towers would not blend with the predominantly low‑rise character of the surrounding neighbourhood. They also cited potential harm to the amenity of houseboats moored on Deptford Creek. The Greater London Authority’s planning department noted the lack of a Section 106 agreement that could secure public benefits.
Mayor’s decision not to intervene
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City Hall confirmed that the Mayor of London will not use his statutory power to quash Lewisham’s refusal, even though the development exceeds the 150‑home threshold that normally allows mayoral intervention. The Greater London Authority’s planning department stated there were “no sound planning reasons for the Mayor to intervene in this particular case”, as reported by MyLondon.
no sound planning reasons for the Mayor to intervene in this particular case
City Hall, MyLondon
Potential next steps for the developer
If the Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner, does not overturn Lewisham’s refusal, the application will remain blocked unless RER London appeals the decision to the Planning Inspectorate. An appeal could extend the timeline by several months and would be examined on the same grounds that led to the original refusal.
Questions this report answers
+What did Lewisham Council decide about the Deptford Creek development?
Lewisham Council’s Strategic Planning Committee voted to refuse the cross‑borough planning application for 802 homes in late September 2026, citing concerns about tower density, impact on houseboat amenity and the low proportion of affordable housing.
+Can the Mayor of London overturn Lewisham’s refusal?
The Mayor has the statutory power to intervene in applications over 150 homes, but City Hall said there are no sound planning reasons to do so, and therefore will not use that power, as reported by MyLondon.
+How many affordable homes are included in the proposal?
The development would provide 24 affordable units, which is five per cent of the total 802 homes. This figure falls well below the London Plan’s target of 50 per cent affordable housing.
+What options remain for the developer after the mayor’s decision?
The Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner, still has the authority to overturn Lewisham’s refusal. If she does not act, the developer, RER London, may appeal the decision to the Planning Inspectorate, extending the process further.
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