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Business
MAJOR NEW DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH BANK
2 June 2010
Kevin Quinn
kevin@southwarknews.org
After nearly three years of legal battles a major new development on the South Bank has been given the go-ahead.
The Doon Street development on Southwark's borders (adjacent to the National Theatre) did seem to be doomed after English Heritage and Westminster City Council, along with a private resident, took it to judicial review.
This was despite the multi-million pound project boasting in its plans a much sought after public swimming pool, leisure centre, 329 new homes and a new public square on the riverbank of the Thames.
However, last week the court of appeal dismissed the challenge and refused consent to appeal to the Supreme Court. The site has remained largely derelict for over 50 years and is currently used for temporary car parking.
Having finally been given the go ahead, the development, which is scheduled to be completed in the next two years, will sit beside the new business quarter developing in London Bridge, Borough and Bankside.
The area is part of the Southbank Strategic Cultural Zone in the London Plan. It has a target of 25,000 new jobs and 1,900 additional homes by 2026 and has the potential to become a new world class quarter of the capital, containing successful business districts, sustainable residential neighbourhoods and world class services.
Major developments include Sellar property group's Shard at London Bridge - the largest building in Europe and a total investment of £2 billion when you include their other skyscraper opposite at London Bridge Place.
In addition there is the eleven storey £215 million extension of the Tate Modern and beside that Neo Bankside - the four glazed pavilions rising from twelve to 24 storeys into the Thames-side skyline, comprised of 197 private apartments, 32 shared ownership and 15,000 square foot of retail.
The Doon Street development was approved by Lambeth Council in August 2007 and by the Mayor of London in September 2007, but it was taken to a public inquiry after English Heritage and Westminster City Council, along with a private resident, argued that the 144.3m residential tower would ruin London's skyline.
NEW POOL AND CENTRE
Coin Street Community Builders (CSCB), a development trust and social enterprise which seeks to make the South
Bank a better place in which to live, to work and to visit, is one of the main forces behind the project.
All of its members are local residents. Since 1984 CSCB has transformed a largely derelict site into a thriving mixed use neighbourhood. It has overseen the completion of the South Bank riverside walkway; the creation of Bernie Spain Gardens and Gabriel's Wharf; the refurbishment of Oxo Tower Wharf for mixed uses; and the building of 220 new homes for people in housing need. CSCB provides a diverse range of arts activities and events in Bargehouse, the.gallery@oxo, and through the annual Coin Street Festival.
From its new Coin Street neighbourhood centre on Stamford Street, CSCB provides a range of programmes for families, senior citizens, young people, and children - including a 64-place nursery and out-of-school activities. The centre also provides meeting and conference venues, access to training and employment opportunities and business and social enterprise support. In June 2008 the
Royal Institute of British Architects [RIBA] named CSCB "Client of the Year" for transforming the South Bank by building a genuine community in London's cultural quarter.
This new development at Doon Street has been designed by two of the country's leading architectural practices. The overall development has been designed by a team led by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands and incorporates a tall (144.3m), slender residential tower, public uses at ground level and a new town square with lift and stairs to Waterloo Bridge.
It will be home to the new Rambert Dance Company headquarters and three dance studios (designed by Allies & Morrison Architects), a public swimming and indoor leisure centre and a new education/office building.
It is believed that the 329 new homes planned for the development will not only bring new life to the area, but that the sale of the homes will fund most of the £25 million capital cost of the leisure centre and also a £412,000 annual cross-subsidy (secured under a Section 106 Agreement), so that the leisure centre can be managed and maintained to the highest standards, whilst remaining affordable to all.
Like the recently opened Swiss Cottage leisure centre (which has similar facilities), it will be operated by Greenwich Leisure Limited, one of the country's most successful social enterprises, on behalf of Coin Street Centre Trust.
Local MP and Mayor's Commissioner for Sport Kate Hoey said: "I am delighted by the Court's decision. Nowhere in London has a greater need for a leisure centre such as this. It will make a real difference to the lives of so many people. Along with fellow residents, I look forward to making use of this fantastic new facility right in the heart of our community."
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Comments (1)
1. At 11:29 AM on 15 Jun 2010, peter wrote:
Great to see improvements moving ahead. Southbank transformation by Lambeth and Southwark is exceptional over the last 10 years. Well done
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