What's happening?

What's happening?

Right now, having a sense of community is more important than ever before and the place we call home has never held such significance. For us, that home is Catford. We live here and share in the communities passion for positive change. Strengthening the community spirit and celebrating everything that is great about Catford has always been our passion.

Over 3,000 comments and over 500 hours of face to face community engagement - led by Team Catford - has informed the draft Framework Plan . The starting point is the re-routing of the South Circular Road (A205) behind Laurence House which will free up more space to reimagine the town centre with pedestrians at its heart.

Catford Shopping Centre and Milford Towers will be replaced providing several hundred new homes, retail and commercial space and job opportunities. New homes will be delivered across the town centre to reflect housing targets within the Council’s Growth Strategy, which plans for a growth corridor from New Cross and Deptford to Catford.

Planting on streets and in new generous public spaces will enhance biodiversity providing new habitats for birds, insects and other species through ‘green stepping stones’ linking the town centre to nearby River Pool Linear Park and Ladywell Fields.

Catford will remain the civic heart of the borough and work is underway to consider a refurbishment of the Old Town Hall and Civic Suite to provide new workspace for Lewisham Council, flexible public meeting space and an opportunity to celebrate the Grade II listed Broadway Theatre with public space around this important heritage building.

Find out how the Catford Town Centre Framework is taking shape. View the draft Framework Plan

Team Catford leads the community engagement for the Catford Town Centre Framework on behalf of the Council. The team specialises in engagement, meanwhile use, community events and town centre management. They all live in the borough, mainly Catford, and are passionate about leading a change that reflects the character of Catford. Add your comments to the map , and find out how you can have your say on early projects for Catford at catford.commonplace.is.

The Catford Cat

The mere suggestion of relocating the iconic Catford cat prompted a wave of indignation from the community, resulting in a petition to ‘save the cat’ and sparking the interest of BBC London News. We can confirm that the giant cat is staying put!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s happening in Catford?

Lewisham Council is leading a major regeneration which will transform the town centre by re-routing the south circular road freeing up more space for pedestrians; redeveloping the Catford Shopping Centre for new retail space, replacing Milford Towers and providing new homes across the town centre as well as creating pedestrian-friendly areas, open spaces and new community facilities.

What does regeneration mean?

Regeneration is about transforming an area to improve quality of life and meet the demands of a constantly growing and changing area. This means more and better homes in safe and welcoming places, with access to jobs and training. Regeneration should bring communities together so people have a real say in the way their neighbourhood is run.

When will it happen?

The vision for Catford town centre is taking shape. Thousands of comments and ideas from local people have informed the draft Catford Town Centre Framework. Before it is finalised in spring 2021, we’d like to hear what you think about the Framework Plan .

What is a framework plan?

A framework plan is a long-term vision for land-use that considers the local population’s economic, housing, transport and community needs. For Catford, the framework plan will guide development over the next couple of decades and individual planning applications will be prepared using the principles established in the framework plan.

The Catford Town Centre Framework will form part of the evidence base for our local plan . It will establish a framework for new development in the town centre.

It is a non-statutory document to guide future growth and development. It includes analysis, recommendations and proposals for an area’s population, economy, housing, transportation, community facilities and land use. It is based on public input, planning initiatives, existing development, physical characteristics and social and economic conditions.

The Catford Town Centre Framework will be both aspirational and deliverable, commercially-based, and informed by a thorough understanding of the retail, residential and leisure market in Catford town centre.

Are the changes in Catford going to be the same as those happening in Lewisham town centre?

No. We want to build on Catford's strengths and offer something different from larger shopping destinations like Lewisham and Bromley.

Many local people say Catford does not offer a wide enough range of shops to attract people to town. Residents and businesses tell us they want Catford to retain its unique character but they also want to have more open spaces for people who live and work here to relax in, and to have a wider range of shops.

Who is paying for this work – will it raise our council tax?

No, it won’t raise council tax. The regeneration of Catford town centre will have funding from a number of different sources, including the Government and private sector investment.

We have to be realistic and the project has to be financially viable. We will take advice and thoroughly test the scheme from the outset. We want a robust framework plan that is costed and deliverable in the long term.

Is the Bakerloo Line coming to Catford?

As a community, we have worked hard to present a compelling case to persuade the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) for a further extension beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction (via Catford). TfL are considering responses to the consultation undertaken in 2019 and expect to publish an analysis and response to issues raised later in 2020.

Will the south circular road be moved?

With agreement from TfL we’re now planning to reroute this major road behind Laurence House. This will unlock a huge area of land for new shops, homes and public space making the town centre safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

As part of this, there will be opportunities to consider new pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes. As part of a wider strategy to improve sustainable transport across the borough, TfL is implementing measures to improve cycling and bus journeys on a stretch of the A21 road between Lewisham and Catford. The Council is also rolling out measures to improve cycling and walking through ‘low traffic neighbourhoods’ and the framework plan will build on these principles.

I want to report fly-tipping. Can I do it here?

All your feedback will inform the master-plan for the town centre. However, if it’s an immediate issue such as fly tipping you contact the Council via this webpage .

Who is Team Catford?

Team Catford leads the community engagement for the Catford Town Centre Framework on behalf of the Council. The team specialises in engagement, meanwhile use, community events and town centre management. They all live in the borough, mainly Catford, and are passionate about leading a change that reflects the character of Catford.

How can I ask a question?

You can email hello@teamcatford.com , or contact Team Catford on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook or call 0808 1961 280.

To contact us by post simply write FREEPOST TEAM CATFORD on the envelope and your letter will find its way to us.