Campaigners have called on housing secretary Michael Gove to “stand by” his commitment to inner-city housing projects and block an eighteen-storey office proposed in Elephant and Castle.
Developer Lendlease will contest Southwark councillors’ decision to reject the office block on H1, the final plot on Elephant Park, at a planning inquiry beginning on September 12.
Meanwhile, in a recent speech, Michael Gove outlined the government’s commitment to encouraging housing in city centres and slammed London’s “particularly poor record” on housing delivery.
Community Objectors H1 (COH1) has now urged Gove to “stand by his housing ambitions” and use his powers as housing secretary to personally determine the inquiry.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities told the News that it was considering the request.
Jerry Flynn, a spokesperson for COH1, said: “Local people were baffled and shocked when they learnt that Lendlease were going to build a giant office block instead of housing on the final plot of Elephant Park.
“Southwark desperately needs housing, particularly affordable housing. Southwark Council made the right decision when they refused this application last October and we are looking to the Secretary of State to uphold that decision.”
H1 was originally earmarked for housing under outline planning permission but Lendlease changed it to an office block after fulfilling its housing commitments elsewhere on the site.
The council refused planning permission for the Elephant Park development due to its “excessive height, mass and bulk”, with one councillor comparing it to Ayer’s Rock, in October last year.
Towering office block application for Elephant Park refused by Southwark Council
At the inquest, Lendlease will argue against that reasoning in the hope the presiding planning inspector will overrule the council’s decision.
A spokesperson for Lendlease said: “We’ve been working in partnership with Southwark to deliver a thoughtful and community-led regeneration at Elephant Park for over a decade on a project that will deliver three thousand vital new homes within zone one of central London.
“We believe our plans to build a commercial-led building will best compliment the emerging town centre in the area and help local independent businesses to thrive.”
The inspector will make their decision based on relevant legislation and policies, evidence submitted, appeal documents, and any other relevant material.