Green light for garages plan at Elephant and Castle

19 July 2018

Under-used garages beneath a council housing block at Elephant and Castle have been given the go ahead to be transformed into a new shopping area by the council’s planning committee.

The space beneath Perronet House is currently split into two garage areas, one of which is in use with garages let to local residents. The other garage area was previously partially let to the Princess Street medical practice, and part has recently been converted into the St George’s pharmacy, which serves the local community.

Southwark Council put forward plans to convert 12 un-used parking spaces in the closed southern garage area into 11 retail units plus a community café with an entrance diagonally opposite the Bakerloo line station.

The new shopping arcade will provide local convenience shops for people living and working in the area and be affordable retail spaces for local independent traders; with priority going to traders who will need to move out of the nearby shopping centre. It will also help enhance the street and reduce anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping in the currently under-used garages.

Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for growth development and planning, said: “We know that residents at Perronet House have often raised the issue of anti-social behaviour that goes on in this empty space. These plans will not only help tackle this but contribute to making the streets safer by encouraging people to be in and around the area. On top of that, the proposals will provide affordable retail space for local businesses.

“We have committed to supporting the Elephant and Castle shopping centre traders and the new site will be available for the smaller traders from the shopping centre who can move into the new site with full, continuing business support from business advisors Tree Shepherd.”

Page last updated: 19 July 2018