An application for up to 16-storey tower blocks in Lewisham Town Centre is back before Lewisham’s strategic planning committee, after it was refused last year.

Lewisham Council officers have recommended the application to demolish Axion House on Silver Road to make way for 141 flats across three buildings ranging between 5 to 16 storeys be approved.

A similar application was refused by the committee last year.

The application would have seen 136 flats and commercial space over four, six, nine and 15-storey buildings, with 20 per cent of the flats let at affordable rent levels.

All residents would have access to private amenity spaces, a council report outlines.

But the new application proposes to increase the number of flats from 136 to 141, including a new social rent flat and six intermediate flats – bumping up the affordable housing to 25 per cent.

Lewisham Council has a strategic target of 50 per cent affordable housing in developments.

But this is the maximum affordable housing developer London Square Development can provide, according to a viability report.

The development is close to a number of significant strategic development sites along Loampit Vale.

This includes the 536-flat development at the Lewisham Retail Park across towers four to 24 storeys high, approved in October 2017, and the Carpetright site  development for two buildings up to 35 storeys in height for student accommodation approved in July.

Other recently completed developments in Lewisham Town Centre include the Renaissance, with 794 flats, the Glassmill leisure centre, retail and office space in buildings up to 24 storeys high. This development is now complete and occupied.

It also includes the Thurston Point development, with retail space and 406 flats in buildings up to 17 storeys which is now complete and occupied, according to a council report.

The council’s strategic planning committee will decide tonight.