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Elephant and Castle transformation plans unveiled

Property developer Delancey has unveiled plans for the final stage of the redevelopment of the Elephant & Castle shopping centre area in south London.

The main shopping centre scheme and the redevelopment of the London College of Communication site is the final part of a £3bn regeneration of the area. Together with Europe’s largest pension fund asset manager, APG, Delancey revealed their plans for a new town centre at Elephant and Castle, which, if approved, could bring a cultural and commercial focal point to the heart of the area, with an integrated campus for London College of Communication, a 1,000 seat multi-screen cinema and a previously unannounced grassroots music venue holding 500 people.

The proposed masterplan by architecture and urban planning practice Allies and Morrison, aims to deliver a “must-visit” town centre destination, with an impressive combination of national and independent London based shops, bars, cafes and restaurants, interspersed between 108,000 sq ft of accessible public space and benefitting from improved access, with wider walkways and a new entrance and ticket-hall for the Northern Line. 

The enhanced shopping and leisure destination will also provide over 1,000 new homes, all of which will be priced for a wide range of local earning levels, with the majority available to let on a long-term basis through Get Living London.

Incorporating the redevelopment of the existing Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre and the adjacent LCC site, the plans also feature the creation of around 60,000 sq ft of workspace for University of Arts London head office staff plus 12 innovation units for start-up businesses. 

Initial proposals for the scheme were first put on public display in July last year with local residents, business and stakeholders invited to comment. Over three quarters of respondents supported the proposals and their feedback has been considered in the shaping of the latest plans, which will go on display to the public this week. 

Jamie Ritblat, on behalf of Delancey and APG commented: “Our ambition is to create a new and improved town centre for Elephant and Castle; one which complements, celebrates and builds upon the existing diversity and vibrancy that this key Zone 1 location is already so renowned for. 

Over the last three years we have been in ongoing discussions with key local stakeholders, the public and our partners at University of Arts London in order to ensure we put culture, art, education and – most importantly - the needs of the local community, at the heart of our plans. We are confident that these proposals reflect this and look forward to receiving further feedback to help us deliver this vision.”

Cllr Mark Williams, Southwark Council cabinet member for regeneration and new homes, said: “The Elephant and Castle was once known as the Piccadilly of the South and that’s what we want to bring back to the area. Southwark is leading on a regeneration programme that we hope will bring people from all over London to Elephant and Castle to enjoy top quality shopping, arts, culture and entertainment as well as benefits for local people like new homes, our newly opened leisure centre and jobs. I look forward to seeing what our residents think of the proposals now being put to them.”

The Elephant and Castle redevelopment is integral to Southwark’s wider regeneration plan, which includes the creation of a new pedestrianised town centre, brand new park, 5,000 new and replacement homes, approximately 450,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, and an integrated public transport hub. 

If you would like to contact Andy Walker about this, or any other story, please email awalker@infrastructure-intelligence.com.