Abandoned UK shopping centre full of closed stores finally getting huge regeneration

A derelict “eyesore” shopping centre in London is finally being torn down after 10 years of confusion, with construction under way on a major regeneration scheme set to bring hundreds of homes to the area. The Leegate Shopping Centre in Lewisham, which first opened in 1967 to replace Victorian-era houses and shops from the 1890s, fell into decline over recent decades.

Retailers including Woolworths and Wetherspoons came and went, and by the late 90s, large parts of the site were left empty, according to the News Shopper. Now, developer London Square is moving ahead with plans to demolish the 1960s complex and replace it with a mixed-use development of 620 homes – an increase from earlier proposals of 561 homes – alongside shops, a community centre and a pub.

Uncertainty over the site’s future dates back to 2016, when Modwen Developments Ltd gained planning permission to redevelop the site, with plans for an Asda supermarket. This did not go ahead, and planning permission was granted to Galliard Homes in November 2024. But this also flopped, and London Square acquired the site in March 2025.

The current developers updated and adjusted the planning consent secured by Galliard Homes, explaining that its main focus was delivery after so many years of uncertainty. Its proposals included raising the height of a 15-storey building to 17 storeys, which prompted concerns from residents about its impact on the character of the area.

While welcoming redevelopment of the “Leegate eyesore” into housing, the Lee Manor Society referred to the council’s own Local Plan for Lee Green, which states building heights should not normally exceed 12 storeys, during a committee meeting.

Simon Bucks told the committee the developer “cares little for the impact” on the area, adding: “If a 17-storey building is allowed, it would surely be a precedent for more, so we are now calling on you to do the right thing and amend this grim proposal for a 17-storey block which would overwhelm a historic part of the borough.”

A planning officer acknowledged that objectors were correct about the height policy, but added: “What the policy doesn’t say is that if a proposal exceeds the height then it must be refused – that’s not what it says.”

He said planning officers had recommended the plans for approval, so he told councillors to consider the benefits of the scheme.

Cllr Jack Lavery, who sits on the committee, noted that the amended application offered 89 extra affordable homes, 35 of which would be social homes.

He said: “So I think I recognise there are some trade-offs and I recognise that the increase in height of that tower hasn’t been well received by everybody, but I would like to propose that we accept officers’ recommendations here.”

The plans were ultimately approved by all councillors who were sitting on the committee. Demolition is already progressing well, according to contractors Statom Group, which said asbestos removal and scaffolding were completed, allowing structural demolition to begin. It targets a 98% recycling rate for site materials.

One new development will be Lee Green, with 209 private homes, shops, cafés, and community spaces in a neighbourhood bordering Blackheath.

According to London Square’s consultation documents, the target completion date for the entire project is between 2029 and 2030.