Plans to provide dozens of affordable homes on a derelict site in Lewisham have been unveiled by developer Southern Grove. Part of a £25 million housing scheme, the 39 apartments in New Cross will be available at either London Affordable Rent or for purchase through Shared Ownership. Affordability issues are particularly acute in London, with many key workers, young families and those on lower incomes being priced out in recent years. In Lewisham, the average price of a flat or maisonette is £353,339, well above the UK average of £204,849. The design-led scheme, called Eckington Yard, is the latest in a series of fully affordable projects announced by Southern Grove as part of its ambition to use ‘intelligently structured land deals to boost the supply of high-quality affordable housing in and around the capital’. The project will comprise 18 one-bed, 17 two-bed and four three-bed apartments on the site of a former branch of Plumbase at 52-54 New Cross Road.Each unit will boast dual aspect views over the capital and residents can enjoy a short 10-minute walk to both New Cross Gate and Queens Road Peckham Overground stations. The scheme, designed by Dowen Farmer Architects, is split into three sections of varying heights, ranging from five to 11 storeys to lessen the impact on surrounding buildings.
