Residents get the keys to Walworth’s brand new council homes

18 March 2021

William Cuffay House, Southwark Council’s new development in Walworth, was completed at the end of 2020 and has now opened its doors to residents.

The seven-storey development of 17 spacious flats, including two duplexes, are available at council rent levels to local people in housing need. Overlooking the greenery of Pelier Park and offering panoramic views of the London skyline, the block is ideally situated to boost the well-being of its residents. 

The William Cuffay House development is part of Southwark’s ambitious New Homes Programme, which is building 11,000 new council homes across the borough by 2043 to tackle the housing crisis locally. As well as building new blocks, Southwark is working with residents across the borough to expand and enrich existing estates.

Jessica Smith, a new resident in the building, said, “I’m so happy with my new flat. It’s really spacious and an enormous improvement on where I was living before. I love that everything is brand new, it’s like having a clean slate. I want to say thank you to Southwark Council for giving me and my family the opportunity to live here”.

The 17 new homes comprise four one-bedroom flats, nine two-bedroom flats and four three-bedroom flats, and all the flats are double or triple aspect. The development is car-free in line with the council’s policy of reducing emissions and tackling the climate crisis.

Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Council Housing, said, “I’m particularly proud of this development which showcases the very best of council housing – spacious, high-quality design, modern fixtures and fittings, and enviably located. I’m delighted that residents in housing need are moving into these new homes which provide them with the safe, secure, affordable and high-quality housing they desperately need.”

The development is named after William Cuffay, the son of a former slave who was a leading figure in the Kennington Chartist movement in the 1800s. The Chartist movement was the first mass popular political movement in British history and campaigned for workers’ rights and universal suffrage. 

Southwark Council is hosting a virtual opening event to welcome residents to the new building on 31 March 2021. The Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, Mike Amesbury MP, will attend the event alongside Southwark councillors.

Page last updated: 18 March 2021