Thousands of objectors have seen off a planning application for luxury flats in Peckham, over fears the development could threaten the future of a thriving music venue.
A new scheme for eleven luxury flats to go up directly in front of the Bussey Building on Rye Lane has been withdrawn following over 15,000 objections from the public over the last few weeks.
There are around 150 businesses based in the industrial units behind where the flats were proposed, who said 700 jobs could have been put at risk by the scheme.
Last month the News reported how an influx of objections to the council had crashed their website and caused the application to go on hold. This week Bermondsey-based applicant Frame Property has announced they have withdrawn the application, promising to work with the community to develop any future plans for the site.
The founder of the CLF Art Café and the man who rescued the Bussey Building, Mickey Smith, said: “The Bussey Building is here to stay. To all those who objected, signed the petition, attended the meetings and spread the word – Thank you for your love, help and unflinching support. Together we did this!”
Eileen Conn, of community group Peckham Vision, said the u-turn was “wonderful news” which could have a wider impact. “The property developer has listened and changed tack and wants to collaborate with local people and businesses,” she said.
“This is a huge success in the battle across London where local interests are being overridden all the time by the inwardly focussed corporate property development world,” added Eileen who said she welcomed Frame Property “pioneering a collaborative development approach.”
In a press release, Nick Mansour, co-founder of Frame Property, said over the coming weeks he would be developing an entirely non-residential scheme for the site “We hope to develop good relationships with our neighbours and be a part of all the great things which are happening and will no doubt continue to happen in Peckham,” said Nick.
“More than ever now, we think 133 Rye Lane is a fantastic site with a huge amount of potential, and are very excited about this new approach. We’re keen to keep our neighbours and other local stakeholders involved in the design process, and will be consulting on our revised proposals as these develop.”