Elephant & Castle

The principle behind the masterplan is to create a thriving and sustainable urban quarter which will contribute towards the regeneration of the wider Elephant & Castle. This will include one of the largest new parks in central London in the last 70 years, delivering significant public open space at the heart of the district that will define the Elephant & Castle regeneration.

The Heygate Estate will include circa 2,500 homes of varying size, up to 5,000 sqm of new offices, up to 5,000 sqm of community and cultural space and up to 5,000 sqm of leisure facilities. The wider regeneration of the Heygate Estate will also bring about huge economic benefits, significant training opportunities and job creation.

The plans will also see the provision of additional shops on the Walworth Road joining up the high street to the shopping centre and transport hub, which will bring a new retail offer that will continue the high street activity and connect Walworth Road to the shopping centre and transport hub. This will form part of the 16,500 sqm of proposed retail which will offer a mixture of high street shops and smaller independent retailers plus cafes & restaurants. A new public square will also be delivered and Walworth Square will create an enhanced setting for the historic town hall.

Public consultation began in December 2010 and the feedback from the local community has shaped the Concept Masterplan and resulted in significant changes. These include the size and location of the park, a specific strategy addressing the retention of key groupings of trees, vehicular routes, the approach to the proposed tall residential buildings and ideas for interim use of the site prior to the commencement of construction.

Lend Lease Project Director for Elephant and Castle, Rob Deck, said:

“We’re delighted with the level of feedback we have received since we launched the public consultation in July and it’s been invaluable in helping us to develop our ideas. We are really pleased to be sharing our Concept Masterplan for the Heygate and we want to encourage the community to contribute and require the input of local people to help inform the next stage of the design development.

We are working in partnership with Southwark Council to redevelop the Elephant & Castle and we’re committed to the whole area and are keen to establish Elephant and Castle as a thriving and successful urban quarter”

Councillor Fiona Colley, cabinet member for regeneration at Southwark Council, said: "This is an exciting time for the Elephant & Castle. The plans we make today will shape the homes, shopping streets and open spaces of the future.

I love the idea of creating central London's largest new park for 70 years with cafes and restaurants along the side, a mix of small and large shops and homes ranging from high rise apartments with fantastic views to town houses with gardens. But I'm sure the plans could be even better with the help of local residents, so I'd urge everyone to come and see the exhibition and give us their ideas."