A property development group is looking for Lewisham people to design a new shopping centre.

Landsec – the owner and manager of Lewisham Shopping Centre – is searching for up to 30 “design champions” to help with the project.

Earlier this year, Landsec shared draft plans to redevelop the entire site.

The proposals aim to create a new centre for Lewisham, with homes, retail and community space.

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Through a series of workshops, walkabouts and group sessions in September and October, Landsec wants to recruit design champions to work with its architects and planners and set design guidelines which help shape the future of Lewisham Shopping Centre.

The company hopes to form two groups of 15, one of which will be for young people under 25.

There will be seven or eight workshops during the evenings and some weekends during September and October. Each workshop will last around 1.5 hours.

The Lewisham Shopping Centre team is asking people to fill out a short form explaining why they would like to take part.

Anyone living in Lewisham has until Sunday, August 21, to apply. There is no need to have any experience or knowledge of planning.

Designers intend to pay for the time, which is expected to be around ten hours.

Landsec is hoping the design champions will help decide what kind of character, public spaces and buildings are needed on the site.

Before this, the champions will have a unique opportunity to join training sessions with experts to learn about neighbourhood planning.

The guidelines, known as a design code, will be submitted as part of the planning application. Jon Watson, development director at Landsec, said: “This is a unique opportunity for local people to help shape a new centre for Lewisham.

“The work our design champions produce will set the standard for any future development on the site, making sure it reflects what’s important to local people.

“We want our design champions to truly represent Lewisham. So, as well as paying for their time, we’ll be covering travel and childcare costs where needed, ensuring anyone who wants to take part can do.”

Apply here