Catford Plan scrapped

Why would I want to root for a winner? I am a champion of the underdog. In the Space Race, I supported Mexico! My favourite Destiny's Child is the Other Two! When I get a lap dance, I root for the stripper's dad! I'm telling you... the underdog! The little guy!
- Auggie Smith

Catford just can't catch a break. Lewisham Council has been forced to scrap its plan to regenerate Catford Town Centre, following a change of heart from TfL, which has decided to review its ideas to re-route the South Circluar - a scheme which was central to the Council's vision. They say:

Over the past two years, the Council has undertaken a considerable amount of work and stakeholder consultation to prepare the Catford Town Centre Local Plan (CTCLP) - a planning strategy that will help guide where and how development should take place in Catford town centre for the period up to 2026. 

On 15 November 2013 the Council submitted the CTCLP to the Secretary of State for Examination. On 19 December 2013 the Council made a decision to withdraw the CTCLP. The primary reason for withdrawal was that Transport for London (TfL), in consultation with the Council, wanted to review their long standing proposals to relocate the South Circular (A205) to the rear of Laurence House. 

However, as CTCLP Policy 1 sets out an alternative approach to TfLs re-routing of the South Circular, this casts some doubt on the potential to deliver the proposals set out in the CTCLP. The withdrawal means that the content of the CTCLP submission version will not be used to determine planning applications. Work on the CTCLP has been halted, but it is expected to resume later this year, once TfL’s study has been carried out.