Consultation on promises for local people following regeneration around London Bridge
People living and working around London Bridge station will be asked to give their thoughts on eight new promises from Southwark Council to ensure they are benefiting from regeneration in the area.
London Bridge has experienced a wave of changes over the last few years with a number of major projects and buildings including the completion of The Shard and the redevelopment of the station – which has increased the public transport capacity from 55 million to 90 million passengers a year.
A number of new developments have now been proposed along St Thomas Street to make the most of the opportunities these changes have brought. The New Southwark Plan’s vision for London Bridge is to create a globally significant central London business district alongside a new town centre.
As part of this development, Southwark Council is preparing a social regeneration charter to ensure that local people benefit from the opportunities the new developments will provide.
Following extensive conversations with local communities, the council has outlined eight promises to deliver:
Investing in new programmes and facilities for young people
A programme of enrichment activities and training for young people linked to the cultural facilities and businesses at London Bridge
Investment in existing and new community spaces
Build more council housing and invest in estate improvements
Ensure residents can access good quality employment opportunities locally
Improve the quality of work locally
Invest in existing and new public open spaces, sports facilities and sustainable transport
Improve the environment and air quality across the area
Cllr Leo Pollak, Cabinet Member for Social Regeneration, Great Estates and New homes, said: “The social regeneration approach we take at Southwark is all about ensuring that we are using development to measurably reduce the health housing and economic inequalities that blight our city, and that change in our borough makes a positive difference to the lives of our residents.
“For St Thomas Street we have identified a series of goals and projects following a detailed research and engagement exercise with over 300 households, walkabouts, workshops and interviews with key stakeholders in the area.
“Although residents reported a strong satisfaction with completed developments in the area, areas for improvement were identified, with better amenities for young people, improvements for community spaces, and investment in local council estates and new council homes key priorities.
“This is where the focus of the social regeneration charter will be and I look forward to hearing what local people think of the proposed charter and promises outlined.”
The consultation is due to start early 2020.
For more information about the St Thomas Street regeneration, visit www.southwark.gov.uk/regeneration/borough-bankside-and-bermondsey?chapter=10