Southwark Council has written to residents in the Queens Road area of Peckham to confirm it is pausing its plans for a new building, in response to the impact of COVID-19.

Since 2013 the council has been working on plans for a new building to house frontline children’s and housing services, and the staff supporting those services. Queens Road 4, as it became known, was due to go to the planning committee in June and, if approved, would have opened in 2022.

The experience of COVID-19 over the last few months, has meant the council needs to review all major projects and expenditure. This is for positive reasons, such as capturing the learning and opportunities revealed by the quick move from office to remote working for many staff, as well as the more challenging circumstances we now find ourselves in, in relation to a considerable budget gap linked to a reduction in income from business rates and council tax.

Having considered this carefully, the council has taken the difficult decision to pause and review the QR4 project, and consider alternative solutions to meet the needs of our staff and service users. It was felt that it was not appropriate to move ahead with a new building at such an uncertain time.

Cllr Kieron Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Modernisation, said: “Given the huge impact of COVID-19 on our communities and the council, it is right that we pause to reconsider how we can best deliver essential services to residents in safe and welcoming surroundings. We will be looking at other options for the Queens Road site and will continue to work with residents to develop any new proposals.”