Elephant and Castle’s Mercato Metropolitano, a collection of bars and restaurants, faces an uncertain future because tower blocks of up to 46 storeys could be built on the site.
Developers Berkeley bought the ‘Borough Triangle’, a stretch of land encompassed by Newington Causeway, Borough Road and Newington Court, from Peabody in 2020.
They now want to build four blocks, of heights between ten and 46 storeys on the site, which aim to deliver 828 new homes as well as new workspaces, restaurants and shops.
The News asked what these plans meant for Mercato Metropolitano and a spokesperson for Berkeley said: “Berkeley is continuing to have constructive discussions with Mercato Metropolitano and all on-site businesses regarding their future.”
The futures of the Baptist Chapel, London School of Musical Theatre and the Car Point Vehicle Hire, all on-site, also hang in the balance.
Berkeley added that their proposals will increase the “employment area” and new workspaces will support job creation and local investment.
The proposals are currently in the consultation stage, with the most recent consultation event held at Mercato Metropolitanon on May 27 with neighbours, councillors and community groups.
Some residents at nearby 251 Southwark Bridge Road, itself a 41-storey building, have expressed concerns. Caroline Rennstam wrote on a local residents’ Facebook group: “We feel very strongly that we have been very poorly informed by the developers about the plans for the Borough Triangle site.”
She said the new buildings could block out light, but other commenters said it was hypocritical to oppose the development when already living in a high-rise building.
“You are living in a 42-storey tower (sic) and you are not blocking the light for the others? Ridiculous”, said one commenter.
Berkeley aims to submit a planning application to Southwark Council this summer.
People can have their say on the proposals by submitting their views using this link: https://www.boroughtriangle.com/yoursay/our-developed-proposals-height-and-massing
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