A Bermondsey residents’ group has submitted its own planning policies to the council to ‘preserve the heritage and character of the area’.
The Old Bermondsey Village Neighbourhood Forum’s (OBVNG) document is the result of the 2010 Localism Bill, where local authorities were asked to work with community groups to explore principles of neighbourhood planning.
The policies proposed by the OBVNG will be subject to a review and local referendum before being adopted by the council, with the areas involved including Bermondsey Street, its surrounding area dubbed Bermondsey Village, and the area south of Long Lane and north of Great Dover Street.
Russell Gray, the coordinator of the group, said the plan was important in order to preserve the character and heritage of the area.
He said: “It’s been going on for a long time and we’re just now getting to the point that we are ready to submit the first draft.
“It would be nice to have even more people come to meetings and contribute ideas for it.”
Among some of the policies set out by the group include:
- New residential developments should provide 50 per cent of housing to be available at social rents, with it being on-site in most cases
- There to only be towers where there is overwhelming local support
- Any new development should provide retail and business space on the ground and first floors
For more information on the plan, visit