Lewisham residents back council’s regeneration plans

Plans to redevelop the area around Achilles Street in Lewisham was backed by 73% of eligible residents in the first ballot of its kind to take place in the borough – the highest turn-out for any resident ballot for estate regeneration.The redevelopment will see around 450 new homes built with half as council housing for existing residents and people on the housing waiting list.The remaining half will be private housing to help fund the redevelopment.The new homes will be built by the council and its housing company, Lewisham Homes – with building work phased allowing residents to stay in their current home until their new one is ready.The ballot followed a consultation process that included weekly resident engagement meetings held by the council.Lewisham council will now work closely with residents to appoint an architect to finalise the design of the housing, with each phase of building work expected to take up to two years to complete.