Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Developer Acorn wants to build 45 homes on the brownfield site, but celebrities are leading a fierce opposition campaign, arguing it will harm Blackheath's "traditional low-rise, village character".| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Phoenix delivers its second scheme in Lewisham which meets the highly sustainable, low energy building standard. This will reduce residents' energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Landsec's plans to redevelop Lewisham Shopping Centre and replace it with more than 1,700 homes plus co-living and student accommodation, have been recommended for approval by officers.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Although work hasn't yet started on Surrey Canal station, development in the area is underway. The new station is considered a "critical enabler for 8,400 new homes" including Renewal's Group's vast "New Bermondsey" project.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Downham Community Land Trust and local GPs had plans to open up Whitefoot Lane playing fields and start addressing health inequalities. Previous Lewisham mayor Damian Egan supported their vision. But Lewisham council plans to transfer the lease this week, finally destroying their hopes.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Downham GP Dr Helen Tattersfield raises concerns over potential "serious detrimental effects" of microplastics on young players' health, as well as the risks to nature.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Government ministers and Sadiq Khan are holding talks about reducing the affordable housing requirement on developers from 35% to 20%.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The Lewisham People’s Assembly is resisting the Lewisham Shopping Centre redevelopment plans, which one councillor called “abysmal”.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Landsec's "outline" plans were approved, despite concerns about the financial viability of the scheme, the low level of affordable housing and the rival application from Lewisham House No. 1.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The leaseholder of Lewisham House argues that its plans for the site should have been included in Landsec's Lewisham Shopping Centre masterplan, and that its scheme is "practical, viable, and ready to deliver".| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Community groups condemn Lewisham council's stewardship of the playing fields, which has allowed the ancient pond to dry out and progressed the plan for a 3G football pitch which will "dump microplastics into a nature reserve". They fear transfer of the site's lease will make things worse.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The Climate Trace project found the SELCHP plant, which burns household waste for Lewisham and other boroughs, to be in the top 10% of PM2.5 air pollution emitters across the world.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Green opposition councillors brought a motion calling for Thames Water to be brought back into public ownership. The Labour group passed an amended motion, but keeps nationalisation on the table.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The housing ombudsman's special investigation details the council's failures in its management of housing repairs and complaints up until October 2024, and says the council is now "on a long road towards improvement".| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Three exhibitions are running at the Broadway Theatre - Aneesa Dawoojee's portraits Bun N Cheese: Things That Bring Me Joy, Tony Fairweather's Caribbean living room and Matt Small's acclaimed This is England. Don't miss them!| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Lewisham council announced the award of levelling-up funding to restore the library in 2023 and the library has been closed ever since. Construction has finally started.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Ministers are under increasing pressure to give Sadiq Khan powers to impose a tourism levy, to raise money for infrastructure projects such as the Bakerloo Line extension.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Mark Morris attended Ladywell Old Baths community open day on 4th October and found some unexpected sights.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The 10-day festival of theatre, dance, music, comedy and visual arts nurtures and showcases young creative artists alongside established talent.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Council officers presented the annual Air Quality Action progress report to the scrutiny committee. Although they have installed many new monitors, officers struggled to respond to questions on impact and behaviour change.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
About 200 residents attended Thursday's meeting, which they hope will be the start of deeper engagement with Lewisham council. Councillor James-J Walsh outlined project timescales and explained how the council aims to avoid the pitfalls encountered last time.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The electric bus service has been part-funded by S106 developer contributions, and will mirror the route of the delayed Bakerloo line extension.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Ella's mother, Rosamund and her siblings unveiled the bronze statue, which stands close to where she lived and went to school. The statue is 1.37m (4 ft 6") tall, the same height that Ella was when she died tragically, aged nine.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Campaigners made another appeal to the London mayor, calling for repurposing the tunnel for public transport, cyclists and active travel, for "the welfare of future generations .. and the sake of Londoners' health".| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
TfL responded to concerns including the impact on bus journey times and flooding risk, before plans were approved. But funding remains as far away as ever.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
British Land is developing the vast 53-acre site to become London's first new town centre in 50 years. However, there are concerns that local people are being priced out.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Southwark council will withdraw its pension fund investments from companies linked to human rights abuses and the supply of arms to Israel, it confirmed on 15 September.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The "Older Persons Olympics" are billed as a "fun, competitive and social" celebration of sport. There's still time to sign up.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Tom Copley, the deputy mayor for Housing, said he is still confident that London can meet its affordable homes target, despite worrying early figures. Salamander looks at Lewisham's record on social housing and affordable housing starts since 2021.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Three healthcare workers are taking a legal challenge against Barts Health NHS Trust's new uniform policy which bans expressions of support for Palestine.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
After years of consultation, the council has cancelled its proposal. The opposition campaign had a late surge, linking the plans to "accelerated gentrification".| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Tfl has delayed publishing the second phase of its Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to end all road deaths and serious injuries on the capital’s roads by 2041. Green Assembly member Caroline Russell has made recommendations for action including a tobacco-style ban on SUV advertising.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
A report from private sector developers argues that the London mayor must slash affordable housing requirements and release swathes of green belt land to solve the housing crisis.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The protected cycle route is due to be completed in November, but cyclists couldn't wait to start using it.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
This article by Grist is published here as part of the global journalism collaboration Covering Climate Now.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Plans to upgrade the station to make it accessible to disabled passengers were shelved under the government's June spending review. Peckham Rye is the busiest station in the UK without step-free access.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The borough has 19 buildings or events in this year’s Open House Festival, held from 13 to 21 September and celebrating the unique built environment of London.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
As housing waiting lists soar, councils negotiate with developers for as much affordable housing as they can get. What does "affordable" actually mean?| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Campaign group Mums for Lungs are calling for a phase out of polluting diesel cars, SUVs and domestic wood burning to clean up Lewisham's air.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
After years of failure to restore the building, local people are asking for active engagement with Lewisham council which puts put them "at the heart of the process".| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency: funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector. It aims to cover the decision making at local authorities and other local democratic institutions. Salamander News is an LDRS qualifying partner which is allowed to publish LDRS copy.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
It feels like countryside, but we are in London and only nine miles from Trafalgar Square.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
New ONS data shows private rent in London far above the “affordability threshold" set at 30% of income. London Renters Union called for government to introduce rent controls. London mayor Sadiq Khan has previously asked for rent control powers and proposed a London Private Rent Commission.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Plastic pollution is out of control and environmental groups have been pushing to secure a global agreement to tackle it. Fossil fuel lobbyists again blocked a full treaty that would cut plastic production. But the fight for a strong treaty and just transition to a reuse-based future goes on.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The facility has been burning household waste since 1993, and much of that waste is plastics. But concerns about the chemicals in plastics, and the dangers of air pollution, have grown. Wales offers a vision of a different way to manage waste, with some councils recycling over 70% of waste.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Ayesha Shingruf joined the inclusive local football team to get active, but stayed because of its sense of community. She introduces the Ravens' first art exhibition, Offside.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
After hopes of government funding were dashed, the GLA Budget and Performance committee are exploring alternative methods for funding the long-awaited Bakerloo line extension through to Lewisham and on to Hayes.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Cool roofs are light coloured and designed to reflect heat, the simplest just a coat of white paint. They have been used for centuries in some parts of the world and are now taking off in the US.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Imperial College London air quality experts warned of high ozone levels for Tuesday 12th August, due to the effect of strong sunshine and high temperatures on London's background pollution from road traffic.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The London Assembly Housing Committee have demanded that more accessible homes be built in the capital.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
More than 60 London Underground staff who came to the UK on skilled worker visas could be deported after the government increased salary thresholds for visa sponsorship.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
As private rents soar, the housing crisis is causing stress and misery across the borough. We asked Lewisham cabinet members Cllr Will Cooper and Cllr James-J Walsh - will Labour's new policies alleviate Lewisham's crisis?| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
As Goldsmiths faces continued financial pressures, it has abandoned its vision for an "Enterprise Hub" and is selling off the parade on New Cross Road, Deptford.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The community space on Staplehurst Road was created during the Covid pandemic and remained hugely popular with local residents and businesses. In December 24, Lewisham council built heavy metal fencing around it and removed the seating and planters. It has been lying derelict ever since.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Parents were given 2 months' notice that the much-loved nursery was closing, and told to start looking for alternative childcare. But their campaign defied the odds and brought the parties back to the table to save the nursery.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The Carbon Garden aims to bring to life Kew Gardens' ongoing research, highlighting the role of carbon, the effects of plants and fungi, and offering tips to adapt our gardens and community spaces for the future.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Several hundred protesters marched up Lewisham High Street on Saturday to a rally outside Lewisham Town Hall, Catford. They delivered a petition with more than 3,000 signatures, calling for the council to "Divest for Palestine".| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Disabled People against the Cuts were joined by councillors opposing the government's plans to slash disability benefits. Peace groups rallied in support of Cllr Shrivastava, who lost his role on the Pension Investment Committee after calling for divestment for Palestine.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Disabled people say the cuts will cause severe hardship for those who cannot work, make life harder for disabled people who are in work .. and do nothing to address the real barriers to work that disabled people face.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Dubbed "Faulty Towers", residents began calling out the estate's design flaws soon after it opened. Mark Morris responds to our interview with architectural historian Jon Wright, who argued for the building's preservation.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Campaigners' divestment petition, which had over 3,000 signatures, made it onto the Agenda for debate. Green group leader Shrivastava proposed a motion for full divestment, while Cllr Sian Eiles, Pensions Investment Committee (PIC) chair, proposed an amendment which council agreed.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Campaigners have been protesting at Woolwich Town Hall since October 2023, calling for the council to divest its pension fund from companies involved in Israel's military occupation, apartheid and genocide in Gaza. However, there is a sense among campaigners that their voices are being ignored.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The council has approved a fresh package of savings worth more than £34million as it looks to close a £30m budget gap by 2026/27.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
This new exhibition at the Design Museum takes an optimistic, exploratory approach to designing in a climate crisis. Taking us on a journey through three sections, it aims to shift our human-centred mindset by the time we come out the other end.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Cyclist and road safety campaigner Tomilyn Hannah Rupert examines the high and lows of Lewisham's performance.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Lewisham climate campaigner David Holloway joined the mass lobby at Westminster demanding urgent action on climate and the environment.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Mike Keogh and Paul de Zylva from Quaggy Waterways Action Group (QWAG) spent a year cleaning up discarded vapes across Lewisham. Mike argues that the environmental damage caused by vapes is much worse than the old non-biodegradable cigarette butt. Is the new ban working?| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Martha McAlpine speaks with filmmaker Ben Honeybone and 20th century architectural historian Jon Wright about their documentary film: Another Catford.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) modelling found 6m homes in London and the south east are likely to face 2 weeks of extreme indoor heat annually, while schools will swelter through 10 weeks. Are our homes, workplaces and public buildings fit to protect us?| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Research shows that heatwaves are the most dangerous type of extreme weather and London is the UK city most at risk. People living in deprived areas face the greatest risks to their health. We asked Lewisham council how it is responding to the threat.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
St John's Medical Centre has started a weekly clinic offering HIV prevention medicine to anyone who lives in Lewisham. This is the first time that a full PrEP service has been offered from a GP in the UK, and Lewisham council hope that it will widen access.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £39bn of grants for building affordable housing in her spending review. Will it deliver the social rent homes that Lewisham needs?| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
'Uncomradely' behaviour and formal warnings for being anti-genocide.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The goal is to create "a safer, more accessible borough where everyone can easily walk or cycle to their destination." New Cross writer, cyclist and road safety campaigner Tomilyn Rupert shares the toplines.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Councillor Shrivastava said that Labour has abandoned its democratic socialist values, is aping far-right rhetoric and allowing Reform to surge in the polls. "Its gravest crime is its continued .. support for the genocidal Israeli regime which has killed over 55,000 including 18,000 children."| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The climate crisis is eroding the familiar pattern of the seasons and causing heatwaves, droughts and flash floods. How is this affecting our fragile local wildlife and what can we do to help?| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Independent local news for Lewisham, south east London. Community news, housing, transport, climate and nature. News, features and investigations. London’s only local news co-op.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Lewisham North MP Vicky Foxcroft said that she cannot vote for cuts to disability payments. Lewisham campaigners, alongside several Lewisham Labour councillors, have been protesting the cuts since March.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
The council improved on its 2023 Climate Score by 10%, achieving its highest scores on Planning & Land Use and Collaboration & Engagement. It saw improvements across every category except Biodiversity, losing points on Clean Air and Nature.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
Lewisham mayor Brenda Dacres joined the call for government funding to deliver the project. But today's announcement excluded London from UK transport infrastructure spending. Lewisham will be getting a new Bakerloop bus route, "mirroring" the underground line.| Salamander News - Community, climate and nature for Lewisham.
