A detailed planning application has been submitted for the first phase of the regeneration scheme, which includes plans for 235 new homes on a 1.1 hectare site. The London Borough of Southwark's planning committee is expected to consider the application later in the year, following a consultation on the proposals.
Lend Lease has held a number of public consultation events and has used the information gained from these to inform its proposed plans for the first phase of the regeneration scheme. It hopes to set the "benchmark for quality homes and ecological improvement" in the first phase of the wider Heygate Estate regeneration. Each home is designed to achieve Level four of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
The first phase of the regeneration is planned to include eight new residential blocks which would house a range of new homes, including all sizes from studios up to four bedroom homes. Lend Lease has pledged to deliver a minimum of 25% affordable homes.
Almost half of the development will be made up of publicly accessible and bio diverse landscaped habitats, including a new tree-lined pedestrian street that will improve pedestrian and cycle connections in the area.
"We have a 15 year development plan for Elephant & Castle and we’re committed to creating a healthy and thriving urban quarter that enriches and integrates with the surrounding well-established neighbourhood," said Rob Deck, Lend Lease project director for Elephant & Castle.
Under the plans submitted for the first phase of the scheme, the homes would be set within a variety of landscaped habitat areas which include a woodland walk, a rain pool and wetland feature a garden square and al fresco café space.
All the homes are also planned to include private outdoor space, a balcony or garden, clean air quality, underfloor heating, low energy consumption, and good access to daylight, the developer said.
As part of the response to public consultation, Lend Lease also proposes to retain many of the site’s existing mature trees, as well as planting a significant number of new trees within the development and in the surrounding area.
The regeneration of the Heygate Estate is one of 16 projects globally to be part of the Clinton Climate Positive Development Programme, which only accepts projects that utilise a range of renewable and clean energy strategies to reach low emissions targets and become climate positive by offsetting emissions in the surrounding community.
"I am delighted that in such a short space of time since the regeneration agreement with Lend Lease was sealed two years ago, we are now in a position to receive a detailed application for new homes on the former Heygate Estate," said Councillor Peter John, leader of Southwark Council."I welcome the next steps in the drive to creating a better living environment for residents, this next part of the process will edge us closer to seeing the vision for this hugely important regeneration site come to fruition."
Lend Lease also submitted a planning application for the St Mary’s Residential development last month, which included plans for a 37-storey building adjacent to the Elephant & Castle leisure centre, which aims to be the most sustainable tall building of its height in the UK.
