PLACE OF WORSHIP, LEWISHAM

PROJECT

We were instructed by Tabernacle Global Ministries to support its planning application for the replacement of a former snooker hall with a Place of Worship at 233-241 Lewisham High Street. The development proposals allow Tabernacle Global Miniseries to relocate from their existing site on Algernon Road, to a more sustainably located site on the edge of Lewisham town Centre. The new facilities will feature an auditorium with a seating capacity of up to 800 along with a Café and Crèche on the ground floor of the building.

APPROACH

TPA has been involved with the project since 2015 when the planning application was submitted, including providing support throughout the post-application process. As part of the post-application works we produced the pre-occupation Travel Plan, which was conditioned as part of the planning application. The Travel Plan set out how the use of sustainable transport modes would be encouraged and how the arrival and departure of the congregation would be managed. In addition to the Travel Plan, we supported the discharge of conditions relating to cycle parking and the disabled pick-up / drop-off point. As part of the discharge of conditions, we liaised closely with the local highway and planning authority to ensure all parties were in agreement.

Following the opening of the church in 2022, we undertook the post-occupation Travel Survey to assist with the ongoing monitoring of the site. The Travel Survey was used to establish the baseline mode share and travel patterns at the former site, before it was subsequently updated to account for the mode share at the Lewisham High Street site.

OUTCOME

The post-occupation Travel Plan was approved by the Local Highway Authority.