As Southwark Council progresses its local plan, consultation with the borough’s biggest developers has revealed ambitions for major residential development.
The New Southwark Plan sets out the biggest strategic sites as part of a plan to deliver 2,355 new homes every year, and almost 5m sq ft of commercial space by 2036.
Berkeley Homes, Rockwell and Art-Invest are all seeking to expand plans for significant upcoming schemes. Meanwhile, new residential development is anticipated from the Arch Company and Transport for London. With the plan under scrutiny, new owners pitch their schemes for Southwark’s development strategy.
TfL taps bus station development
As TfL prepares for electric buses, it will seek to redevelop bus garages across London, with residential development above to pay for upgrades below.
It is in talks with neighbouring landowners as it explores development at the Abellio Walworth bus depot. The site has capacity for 196 homes, with a further 264 at Camberwell bus garage.
Application imminent for Aylesham resi conversion
The long-awaited redevelopment of Aylesham shopping centre (pictured above) is set to move forward, with a planning application from BlackRock mid-2021. The investor appointed Tiger Developments to masterplan a scheme of up to 900 homes and a new Morrisons supermarket, with 118,400 sq ft of further retail space.
BlackRock UK Property Fund owns the majority of the site and is in talks with Transport for London over Peckham bus station upgrades. The pre-application scheme comprises one 20-storey tower and buildings of 3-12 storeys at the car-free development.
Arches-to-resi development play
The Arch Company has one strategic development site comprising two acres and 30 railway arches with land opposite Peckham Rye Station. The jv between BlackRock and Telereal said development is a possibility on the land, but added that a commercial-only scheme would not be viable. It has appointed Assael Architects to undertake feasibility studies and suggested a mixed-use scheme with up to 100 homes.
Berkeley expands plans for Borough Triangle
After quietly acquiring Peabody’s Borough Triangle scheme last September, new owner Berkeley Homes is looking to almost double the development plans.
Peabody had mooted a £100m scheme of 600-700 homes at the former paper factory. The unconsented site has indicative capacity of 438 homes in the plan. But now, Berkeley Homes has told the council it would seek to deliver a minimum 750-1,000 homes on the 2.3-acre site.
Rockwell restricted at Salvation Army site
Next door to Berkeley’s site, Rockwell is debating how to develop the 0.7-acre former Salvation Army site, after completing a £50m purchase last year. The plan dictates that 50% of new development space must be commercial, but it should also provide new homes.
Prior to the sale, agents engaged the council in pre-application discussions around a 39-storey residential tower and a 14-storey commercial building. Rockwell is pushing back against a site allocation of just 57 homes, which would see a five-storey building. The developer, advised by Savills, says the policy is “constricting rather than encouraging development at the site”.
Rockwell has also called for greater flexibility in terms of commercial space, a demand echoed by neighbours RDI REIT and Blyford Investment.
Decathlon site gears up for new development
Art-Invest has also suggested new plans could come forward at its site in Canada Water, despite already having planning permission for 1,000 homes and 234 operational homes.
The German investor completed its acquisition of the consented 4.5-acre Decathlon site for £140m last year. Planning advisors DP9 told the council that Art-Invest is currently considering its options for the site, and may not take forward the current consent.
To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette
