Elephant and Castle regeneration plan gets the go ahead

The £1.5 billion regeneration of the Elephant and Castle area in the London borough of Southwark looks set to go ahead after the council's planning committee gave it the green light.

Outline planning permission has been granted for the Heygate Estate masterplan, which will see the creation of one of the biggest new housing developments in Zone 1 of the capital.

Designed by architects Make, it will be delivered by property and infrastructure company Lend Lease together with Southwark Council.

Around 2,500 new residential properties are to be built, in addition to shops, restaurants and community facilities, all by 2025.

A quarter of the homes on Heygate Estate will be affordable and it will also be home to the largest new park in Central London for 70 years.

property to rent in Elephant and Castle, whether on the estate itself or in the surrounding area, is likely to become even more attractive thanks to the planned improvements in public transport.

"The planning committee's decision to approve the masterplan and endorse our vision for Elephant and Castle is a watershed moment for the borough," said Southwark Council leader Peter John.

"We now have the opportunity, working with local people and our partners Lend Lease, to continue the transformation of the area as a place where people want to live, work, shop and relax."

He added: "The regeneration of Elephant and Castle will take time, but this announcement, and the starting of work on a brand new leisure centre, are all crucial steps towards a greener, safer and more attractive place in Central London that people will be proud to call their home."

Heygate Estate was built in the 1970s and was home to more than 3,000 people. Those still living there in 2008 were rehoused so that the site could be demolished to make way for the new estate.

Posted by Charles Mackay

Published 17th January, 2013

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