An application for a 300-flat development on public land in Besson Street, New Cross will be submitted next month.

The scheme is a joint venture between Lewisham Council and Grainger Plc, which will manage the homes.

Up to 35 per cent of the flats, or around 81, will be let at London Living Rent prices – affordable housing for middle-income earners.

Lewisham Council, which will get 50 per cent of the scheme’s rental income, has a target of 50 per cent affordable housing on all developments.

The development will also include a new GP surgery to replace the current Queen’s Road surgery, health centre, community space for the New Cross Gate Trust and an outdoor gym.

Community services will be run by the New Cross Gate Trust, including employment support, IT skills training and English for Speakers of Other Languages provision, healthy cooking sessions and mental health support.

All decisions in the partnership will go through the council’s decision-making bodies including Mayor and cabinet meetings, with the partnership set up so the council can never lose control over the site – which is public land.

Lewisham Council hopes the scheme will “have a stabilising effect” on the local private rented sector and provide “better services at mid-market rent levels.”

The next public consultation will take place this Saturday (September 14) from 10am to 4pm at the All Saints Community Centre on New Cross Road

The developers expect to secure planning permission by June 2020, starting on site in 2021, with the scheme completed by 2023.

If you are not able to attend the upcoming public exhibition but would like to find out more call  0203 907 8982 or email bessonstreet@fourcommunications.com.