The battle over the future of the 60-acre Bricklayers Arms site in North Southwark, London SE1, has been solved. The Environment Secretary has decided in favour of British Rail’s plans for a primarily residential development.
The site ceased to be a BR depot in 1981 and since then BR have been trying to agree a planning package with Southwark council.
Negotiations broke down when British Rail could not agree to a wholly industrial allocation.
BRPB then brought in Hillier Parker and Franklin Stafford Partnership to prepare the way for the future disposal of the land. Their plan was for private residential whereas Southwark’s revised aspirations were for industrial development, public housing, public open space and a lorry park.
Not being able to negotiate any variation in the North Southwark Plan proposals, BR objected to them at the local plan inquiry then taking place. Southwark refused to accept the inspector’s recommendations on the plan and as a consequence the council was directed not to adopt the plan and then to terminate it altogether by the DOE.
Meanwhile, BRPB took its planning application to appeal, a public inquiry ensued and now finally British Rail have won.
Hillier Parker acted for BRPB throughout and now the agents are to market the site.
