Purpose:
Involving the whole community in shaping the future of Lewisham’s open space.
Stimulus/Rationale:
In 2006-7 the Borough of Lewisham conducted research into public attitudes. Residents complained of loneliness and alienation, intergenerational suspicion and fear of using certain public spaces. Public discussion forums were set up which elicited a great deal of deep knowledge about local life-ways, which had previously been unknown to officials. It also threw up issues which might appear obvious, but were nevertheless overlooked, such as the complete lack of seating in public space. This situation had emerged deliberately because planners had become excessively pre-occupied with a need to discourage problem drinkers or loitering teenagers, rather than with providing spaces in which a wide diversity of people might interact. A toolkit for intercultural place-making was produced and this informed a new approach to public space in Lewisham and eventually led to the borough joining the network of Intercultural Cities.
Process:
Since then a programme of targeted improvement has transformed numerous locations within the district – and Lewisham’s commitment has aroused widespread recognition and approbation. Four of the Borough’s public spaces have received prizes in the London Planning Awards in the first five years: Ladywell Fields, Deptford Lounge, Cornmill Gardens and Margaret McMillan Park.
Margaret McMillan Park is a good example of the new approach. Margaret McMillan Park lies in the north of the borough, set strategically along an important pedestrian and cycling thoroughfare between the busy retail area of Deptford High Street and the transport hub of New Cross Station. At the outset it was described as offering little to encourage visitors to slow down and use the space for enjoyment, and was rarely used by local residents, visitors or workers as a space to dwell and interact. There were relatively high levels of crime but even higher perceptions of fear about the place. Extensive consultation and imaginative participatory techniques led to a scheme which met with widespread approval.
The Park was also awarded first place in the Urban Green Space Category of the Local Government News 2011 Street Design Awards, and the Civic Trust Award in 2010 for Community Recognition.
Prioritising good quality public space that enables people to interact continues to be important in Lewisham.
One of Lewisham’s current corporate priorities is to be an ‘Open Lewisham’, meaning Lewisham is a welcoming place of safety for all where diversity is celebrated as a strength.
The Open Space and Parks Strategy 2020-2025 is guided by the National Planning Policy Framework. It builds on the previous Open Space Strategy 2012-2017 and the Open Space Assessment 2019 (OSA) and the Council has ensured it is in an accessible format.
One of the strategic priorities for the environment is to balance functionality and local needs for parks and open space, to serve the broadest diversity of people, without compromising the value of open spaces as a place to relax and enjoy being in nature.
Allotments and community gardens also aim to support community building as part of the strategy. This means engaging groups of all ages and cultures in taking responsibility and ownership for their local Open Spaces; shared decision making and shared skills input.
Key reference documents: more information
