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New shops and cinemas get underway

27 December 2007

Proposals for a major mixed-use development and new market square between New Kent Road, Elephant Road and Walworth Road have been given the go ahead by Southwark's planning committee.

The approved Oakmayne Plaza scheme was adapted from an earlier plan, with the new design providing greater ground floor space for local businesses. The buildings will also link in with work already underway to ensure all development in the entire area is connected to sustainable energy supplies.

Planning committee chair, Cllr James Gurling, described Oakmayne's agreement to cooperate with the relocation of existing local traders as "exceptional" and "unprecedented".

Cllr Richard Thomas, Southwark Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “We are really focussed on improving Southwark for local people, and this is another significant step forward.

“The fantastic plans for the heart of the Elephant are particularly good news as it supports this council’s commitment to provide great retail space for local traders. The revised plans incorporate more prominent space for businesses to make sure local shops can benefit from the area’s regeneration. And equally importantly, many will be offered at subsidised rents over the first five years to give further support for traders.

Oakmayne says that it is in negotiations with two major cinema chains over the proposed six-screen cinema that will have its entrance on New Kent Road.

Work on the Oakmayne Plaza site, which has already been cleared, is due to start early in the New Year.