Consultation now open on latest proposals for Old Kent Road
30 January 2018
Local people are being encouraged to have their say on one of London’s largest regeneration schemes - along one of the city’s most famous, and historic thoroughfares – as Southwark Council opens its latest round of public consultation.
Proposals to create a brand new town centre along the Old Kent Road in Southwark include:
- 20,000 news homes, 7,000 of which will be affordable (at a 70 per cent social rented / 30 per cent intermediate split)
- 10,000 new jobs
- A new further education college
- Three new tube stations on the Bakerloo Line extension
- A new health centre
- A new major cultural attraction
- New parks and green spaces
- A new secondary school, two new primary schools and expansions to nine existing primary school in the area
The new plan also offers two ‘firsts’ for London by proposing an innovative new mixed use development on a large scale, and the potential for a local lettings scheme, which would ensure that a proportion of the new homes will be prioritised for existing local residents in housing need, which has never been done on this scale.
Cllr Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration and new homes, said: “We know we need to be ambitious if we want to meet the need for more housing in London, whilst at the same time increasing employment opportunities and designing new neighbourhoods that deliver new open spaces, community facilities, improvements to air quality and a shift to sustainable travel like walking and cycling.
“The Old Kent Road Area Action Plan meets all this, effectively building a new town in central London, delivered by re-designating industrial land to mixed use, the proposals do not affect existing housing land. We have already spent a long time speaking to local people about the plans and hearing what their main concerns and priorities are and we are continuing to develop the plan to ensure it delivers maximum benefit to existing residents.
“This revised version has taken into account issues raised in earlier consultations, especially around traffic congestion, pollution and tall buildings. The latest version provides greater clarity as to the scale and location of tall buildings, with building heights stepping down towards existing residential neighbourhoods. It also includes more green spaces and introduces measures to reduce traffic such as promoting car free development.
“We also recognise the importance of business and industry in the Old Kent Road, contributing to the local economy and playing a key part in the servicing of central London, and have included more detail in our policies about providing affordable workspace, particularly to encourage rents suitable for the continuation of existing businesses as well as workspace providers which manage space on a non-profit basis to support small businesses and start-ups.
“We are very keen for people to give us their views on the revised proposals and I would encourage people from all over the borough, but particularly those who live or work within the opportunity area, to take part in the consultation.”
People can see the proposed documents and reply to the consultation on the council’s website at www.southwark.gov.uk/oldkentroad-consultation or call into one of the drop in sessions to see the plans and chat to council staff.
Drop in sessions will be taking place on:
- Tuesday 6 February, 4.30pm to 8.30pm at The Drawing Room, Unit 8 Rich Estate, 46 Willow Walk, SE1 5SF
- Wednesday 7 March, 4.30pm to 8.30pm at Christ Church Peckham, 676-680 Old Kent Road, SE15 1JF
The consultation will run until 21 March, 2018.
Page last updated: 30 January 2018
