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Lewisham Council would like to work alongside the community to plan for a greener, more vibrant and accessible town centre in Catford.

If Transport for London (TfL) are successful in re-routing the South Circular road, there will be an opportunity to create a new temporary public space. 

Have your say before 10th July.

New Public Space in Catford Town Centre

Catford Town Centre

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Find out more about the project and consultation.

About the project and consultation

Find out more:

Have your say on art, culture and community gathering features.

3. A space for creating, making and experiencing art and culture 

Theme 3. A space for creating, making and experiencing art and culture 

The Council&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/articles/blogs/a-new-cultural-strategy-for-lewisham" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/articles/blogs/a-new-cultural-strategy-for-lewisham" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cultural strategy</a>&nbsp;aims to cultivate a legacy that promotes our borough&rsquo;s rich history, culture, and community spirit.&nbsp;&nbsp;The new public space could incorporate features which encourage creating, performing and engaging with&nbsp;art, culture and events. There could also be space for the community to gather for various civic events.&nbsp;

Opportunities for art, culture & community

1. Art and Culture&nbsp;The space could act as an outdoor gallery, with exhibitions to showcase the work of talented local artists.&nbsp;&nbsp;Large or public&nbsp;artworks could have a play or resting function, as well as helping to act as a gateway to Catford Town Centre and raise its profile.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716557715/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/c9tipsjwhxianv6kozxn.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Large, colourful, outdoor mural on the road with people sitting and enjoying the area" data-uw-rm-alt-original="Large, colourful, outdoor mural on the road with people sitting and enjoying the area" style="width: 800px;"> 2. Theatre Forecourt:&nbsp;The Broadway Theatre is a leading cultural destination and could have an influence on the public spaces on its doorstep.&nbsp;This space could include areas for&nbsp;outdoor&nbsp;performances, which could align with the programme at the Broadway Theatre.&nbsp;As well as areas to platform smaller and informal performances, such as buskers.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716557671/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/ujzp5jye6aqfcnyshngc.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Dancer performing in the street with a large crowd" data-uw-rm-alt-original="Dancer performing in the street with a large crowd" style="width: 800px;"> 3.&nbsp;Community Areas:&nbsp;Catford Town Centre currently does not have suitable community areas, where events such as commemoration, watching sporting events on temporary big screens, could take place.&nbsp;Some of the new public spaces could be designed to allow for these kinds of events, with places for the community to sit and gather.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716557634/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/c6rdymqg8iciztmfgvfc.webp" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Large crowd watching outdoor screen on a sunny day" data-uw-rm-alt-original="Large crowd watching outdoor screen on a sunny day" style="width: 800px;">

Have your say on a new vibrant street market in the public space.

4. To be home to a vibrant street market 

Theme 4. To be home to a vibrant street market 

Catford Broadway is already home to a small market whilst Catford Food Market has quickly grown popular for drawing in local residents and people from beyond Lewisham.&nbsp; Vibrant street markets showcasing local market traders can enhance the borough&rsquo;s cultural pride, as well as improving the local economy.&nbsp;

Opportunities for food stalls and markets

1. Markets and Food Stalls:&nbsp;Many town centres now have outdoor food markets, showing off the best local foods and flavours.&nbsp;These markets help draw people in at different times of the day - including evenings and night times. Making the new public spaces safer for everyone.&nbsp;&nbsp;Open-air marketGiven the number of public sector workers who currently travel in to Catford town centre for work, there is a demand for increased and more varied lunchtime food options, which could&nbsp;take the form of an&nbsp;open-air food market. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716558923/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/txdyemkyyk3lee0dm6q6.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 800px;" alt="Outdoor market at night with lights and community sitting area" data-uw-rm-alt-original="Outdoor market at night with lights and community sitting area"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716558542/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/pktnewhiwqz2t2tf6jsx.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 800px;" alt="Crowded outdoor street market" data-uw-rm-alt-original="Crowded outdoor street market"> 2. Seating:&nbsp;To support the food market, and to provide space for people who bring their own food, communal picnic tables could be installed.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716558896/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/mhuvgxyvlfh7u1m71mni.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Outdoor seating in public space" data-uw-rm-alt-original="Outdoor seating in public space" style="width: 800px;"> 3.&nbsp;Lawn area:&nbsp;The grass area in front of the Civic Centre could also be used for picnics in dry weather, especially if it too, has plenty of seating. The lawn could also have other leisure functions, especially in the evenings.FacilitiesThe space is also large enough to consider introducing facilities such as&nbsp;seating for the community as well as water, power and storage for stall holders.&nbsp;SafetyA robust lighting strategy and&nbsp;appropriate level of day and night-time use will help to ensure safety within the new space.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Have your say on the overarching strategy for Catford Town Centre.

Photo of Catford's South Circular road

Overarching Strategy

The&nbsp;overarching ambition&nbsp;is to create a new public space between Thomas Lane and The Broadway Theatre along the existing Catford Road / South Circular, that delivers on the aspiration for Catford to become&nbsp;a&nbsp;greener,&nbsp;vibrant&nbsp;and&nbsp;more&nbsp;accessible town&nbsp;centre.&nbsp;For this consultation, there are four design themes for the new public space:1. To become a green town centre: Nature&nbsp;2. To build physical activity into everyone&#39;s daily lives: Playful and accessible&nbsp;3. Ensure a space for community to gather and experience art: Culture&nbsp;4. To be home to London&rsquo;s most vibrant street market: Economy&nbsp;Please note&nbsp;that none of these concepts are intended to be delivered in full. Instead, they will help explore the design possibilities for the spaces and help facilitate discussion and engagement work.

Temporary to permanent&nbsp;The new public space discussed here will be temporary in nature, to begin with, and will remain in place until the Civic Suite and Laurence House site are re-developed. If the temporary changes prove to be successful and popular, they could be incorporated within the permanent public spaces in the future.&nbsp;These&nbsp;designs&nbsp;aim&nbsp;to&nbsp;retain&nbsp;as much useful existing infrastructure as possible, such as&nbsp;utilising&nbsp;existing road area and framed by the retained footpaths and existing mature trees.&nbsp;

Have your say on features for physical activity.

2. To build physical activity into everyone's daily lives 

Theme 2. To build physical activity into everyone's daily lives 

The Council&rsquo;s&nbsp;five-year&nbsp;&lsquo; <a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/sport/lets-get-lewisham-moving" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/sport/lets-get-lewisham-moving" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/sport/lets-get-lewisham-moving" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Let&rsquo;s Get Lewisham Moving</a> <a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/sport/lets-get-lewisham-moving" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/sport/lets-get-lewisham-moving" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&rsquo;</a> <a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/sport/lets-get-lewisham-moving" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/sport/lets-get-lewisham-moving" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;strategy</a>&nbsp;outlines how we plan to empower residents of all ages to get active, as well as highlighting the physical and mental health benefits.&nbsp;&nbsp; Catford&rsquo;s new public space could encourage this by including&nbsp;features for physical activity as well as making the town centre walking, wheeling, or cycling-friendly.&nbsp;

Opportunities for play

1. Active play:&nbsp;The new public space will be big enough to feature leisure areas that are suitable for many different age groups, such as sculptural climbing walls, climbing boulders, a BMX or scooter pump track, skateboarding rails and jumps.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716556162/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/wmhfavhpfgc4q91hpluv.png" id="isPasted" class="fr-fic fr-dii" data-uw-rm-alt-original="" style="width: 800px;" alt="Kids climbing on a rock climbing wall">&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716556245/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/qriardzwufpp0kkzjlos.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="" style="width: 800px;" alt="Children cycling on a BMX track"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716556270/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/xawzvwua57xp0meqe6qj.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="" style="width: 800px;" alt="Young skateboarder in the air doing a trick at an outdoor ramp"> 2. Outdoor gyms:&nbsp;Outdoor gyms are popular with people of all ages and abilities. &nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716556333/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/cuntrvmuibdkr37ixque.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="" style="width: 800px;" alt="Elderly people doing exercise at an outdoor gym in a park"> 3.&nbsp;Games:&nbsp;For less active people, games tables (such as table tennis) could be provided.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716556383/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/fjh3lhtazk9ulnmlfuyn.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="" style="width: 800px;" alt="Two people playing outdoor table tennis"> 4. Toddler play:&nbsp;Smaller, protected play areas with balance beams and stepping stones could be installed for younger children.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716556453/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/kcsgnxsrucsl808wj7hk.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="" style="width: 800px;" alt="School kids jumping between stone features">

Have your say on how to make the public space greener and cleaner.

1. A green town centre 

   Theme 1. A green town centre  

By prioritising nature, we can create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Catford Town Centre.&nbsp;Urban green spaces&nbsp;can improve wellbeing and health, as well&nbsp;providing the opportunity for people&nbsp;to connect and learn about nature.Along with the many benefits for residents, this can positively impact wildlife, local biodiversity, and our changing climate.&nbsp;

Opportunities for nature

Given the temporary nature of the project, combined with limited budgets, we have included cost-effective ways of adding new planting and trees.&nbsp;For example, simply cutting into existing hard standing areas can give access to the soil below for new tree planting.&nbsp;This also has the ecological benefit of capturing surface water run-off and reducing flooding.&nbsp;&nbsp;1. Breaking out the old road for trees and planting:&nbsp; Within the new spaces there will plenty of opportunities to plant trees and shrubs, as well as sow meadows and lawns - without restricting access for pedestrians. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716296496/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/bwzh63qacuoazr9gamsm.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 800px;" data-uw-rm-alt-original=""> 2. Trees&nbsp;Trees can be planted in a way to preserve sightlines and allow activities to take place underneath the tree canopy.&nbsp; <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716465384/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/np5vai1skfemidbby9tx.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 800px;" data-uw-rm-alt-original=""> There may be the opportunity to plant large trees and shrubs. This could create small&nbsp;woodland gardens&nbsp;with play features like those created in Croydon&rsquo;s Ruskin Square. These planted gardens could create shade and shelter, while also providing valuable food and habitat for wildlife.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716296672/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/iu0q5o2fzmj7zmzyswxl.jpg" style="width: 800px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original=""> 3. Planted raingardens&nbsp;It could also be possible to create&nbsp;flowerbeds that are specially designed to collect rainwater, from the water running off pavements. This can also help prevent flooding and pollution in local rivers.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1716296730/projects/6646117429d83e26150f4f20/zhoenvx9rubpahx8ba7l.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 800px;" data-uw-rm-alt-original=""> 4. Urban forestsIt may be possible to set up a small `micro forest&#39; using a variety of species to ensure that the forest will be well-suited for its environment, meaning it will be more stable and successful. 5. Wildflower meadowsSpecies-rich flower meadows&nbsp;can grow quickly on low-quality soils and there may be an opportunity to create one in one of the bigger, open public spaces.