We, the undersigned Councillors and prospective Labour Party candidates, are not opposed to the redevelopment of the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre, nor the proposals for a new building for the London College of Communications.
However, we believe that in their current form, the proposals submitted by Delancey, are not ones which are in the interest of the local community.
Our objections to the scheme are made on the following grounds:
1.Affordable Housing. It is unacceptable that this development is only proposing 33 homes at social rent equivalent. This is not compliant with either Southwark’s own policy for Elephant & Castle, nor the emerging Build to Rent policy.
2. Affordable retail. Whilst the revised proposal is policy compliant, providing 10% affordable retail across the development, we do not believe that there are adequate protections and support being offered to the traders in and around the shopping centre, including interim provision and a right to return.
3. Bingo Hall. It is unacceptable that the bingo hall will not be re-provisioned on the new shopping centre site.
4. Re-Sale of the estate (the covenant). The length of the proposed covenant of 20 years on the private rented element of the scheme is non-compliant with Southwark’s emerging policy which asks for a minimum of 30 years and we are concerned how the estate will be managed in the long term.
Lorin Bell-Cross, Prospective candidate for Borough and Bankside
Jack Buck, Prospective candidate for Faraday
Ellie Cumbo, Prospective candidate for St Georges
Cllr Helen Dennis, Councillor for Chaucer
Cllr Karl Eastham, Councillor for Chaucer
Cllr Paul Fleming, Councillor for Faraday
Mark Griffiths, Prospective candidate for St Georges
Sirajul Islam, Prospective candidate for Chaucer
Cllr Samantha Jury-Dada, Councillor for Faraday
Cllr Rebecca Lury, Councillor for East Walworth
Cllr Darren Merrill, Councillor for East Walworth
Gloria Ponle, Prospective candidate for Borough and Bankside
Cllr Martin Seaton, Councillor for East Walworth
Aman Thakar, Prospective candidate for Borough and Bankside
The Councillors argue for more social housing but Southwark has more social housing than anywhere else. Currently, 42% of the housing stock is social. Regarding the current retailers, I live in the area and don’t use the current shopping centre because it doesn’t sell the products I need/like. What’s more, none of my neighbours shop there either. If London is to compete with other global cities, Labour will need to stop being so nimby-ish.
Shame that only 14 out of 48 Labour Councillors are prepared to speak out over the destruction of both London and its local communities. I have no objection to the development of E & C but its not based on anything other than profit and greed. Building more luxury flats for non doms, who pay no council tax, is not going to help London. The ugly blocks going up on the former public land that was the Heygate is worse than the original and the flats poach into the public realm in a way the Heygate never did . The revolving door of Southwark Councillors who set up as advisors to developers is a scandal . No park , school , police station , library , care home , social housing , dole office community center etc etc is safe in their hands. This is never going to stop until it all gone and we have swathes of empty luxury flats but no communities. That is the legacy Southwark Council will be passing onto the next generation and they will wonder how the hell they got away with it . But no worries because they will all be retired in the country with the money they have made. As for UAL . That is just a business. Brave New World people and good luck to all those brave young protesters