Revised application for the Elephant and Castle shopping centre
4 July 2018
Southwark Council’s planning committee has approved the revised application for the Elephant and Castle shopping centre - subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement. The vote was four for, three against and one abstention.
Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for development, growth and planning, said: “We welcome the planning committee’s decision to approve the Elephant and Castle shopping centre application. This is a complex scheme that will create a vibrant, new town centre, which is a key part of the wider regeneration of Elephant and Castle bringing new homes, jobs and opportunities to the area. Investment in the area is essential to bring forward these benefits.
“The scheme also includes a new home for London College of Communication, enabling them to stay in the area - and critically will provide an opportunity to improve both the Northern Line station, which TfL have stated is urgently needed with the station currently operating above its capacity, and National Rail station. New leisure facilities such as space for a cinema, new live music venue and a replacement bingo hall, have also been outlined as part of our ambitions to make Elephant and Castle the ‘Piccadilly of the South’ again.
“The council has been pushing hard for the best possible outcome for local people and particularly the local businesses that will have to move out of the centre and find affordable retail space in the surrounding area.
“However we recognise the concerns raised by some local residents about aspects of the regeneration, and I would like to assure them, and the whole community, that we will continue to work with our residents, businesses and Delancey to ensure the new development works for local people.
“As well as the increase in social housing on a site that currently has none, which we welcome, we have worked in a review mechanism that could lead to even more affordable housing being provided in the future if a certain level of profit is reached after the uncertainty of building costs is removed.
“For the businesses it has been agreed that 10% of the retail space across the sites will be affordable and Delancey has guaranteed a £634,000 tenant relocation fund to support traders. The council will consult traders on the principles that will inform this funding allocation later this year. In addition, the council itself will provide new affordable retail at Perronet House and Arch Street, in addition to the affordable space already being provided by Lendlease and Delancey’s phase one developments.
“We know this is still a very difficult time for people directly affected by this significant change and the council will continue to work with the businesses to support them and help them not just find a new home but also grow and thrive in it.”
Page last updated: 04 July 2018
