Southwark Council is poised to approve a major development that would see 774 new homes constructed in Elephant and Castle, completing the final phase of the contentious £2.5 billion Elephant Park regeneration project. The plans, recommended for approval ahead of a Planning Committee meeting on March 17, represent a significant shift from previous proposals for the site.
From Office Block to Residential Hub
The applicant, Hub Propco Limited, has submitted plans to build on Plot H1, located in Elephant and Castle, which was originally slated for an 18-storey office block. Hub Propco purchased the site from developer Lendlease, whose office plans were initially refused by Southwark Council in October 2022 but later approved by a government inspector.
Southwark councillors had rejected Lendlease's original application, ruling the 48,750 square meter office block was too tall and "bulky." Local campaigners argued that affordable housing would have been more appropriate for the site, which exists on the former Heygate Estate.
Details of the New Development
The latest proposal includes three tower blocks ranging from 11 to 25 storeys, containing 695 purpose-built shared living units and 79 social rent homes. The shared living units are designed for single-person households with shared communal areas such as kitchens, living rooms, and workspaces.
The social rent homes would consist of 28 one-bedroom, 31 two-bedroom, and 20 three-bedroom units. Additionally, the development includes plans for a new NHS 'Health Hub,' which planning officers have described as an "important amenity" for Elephant Park.
Regeneration Benefits and Community Impact
Planning officers have emphasized that the development will deliver "major regeneration benefits, including a significant contribution to Southwark's housing stock, including on-site affordable housing." They concluded that the project "will contribute to the creation of a mixed and inclusive community at Elephant Park."
The Elephant Park regeneration project, a partnership between Lendlease and Southwark Council, has been transforming the neighborhood on the site of the demolished Heygate Estate. This final plot development represents the completion of a years-long regeneration effort that has completely changed the area's character and housing landscape.
