Around 600 homes approved in latest stage of Heygate Estate redevelopment

Southwark Council approved West Grove, the latest in the £1.5 billion regeneration, yesterday. These homes will be situated around two garden squares in Elephant Park.

This follows the launch of 360 homes, known as South Gardens, in the first phase earlier this year. Lend Lease will build nearly 2,500 new homes on the site between now and 2025 and a minimum of 25% of those homes will be affordable.

Campaign groups have stressed that this development falls below the 35% requirement set by the council. Southwark Council has said previously that making 35 per cent of the new homes affordable would not be financially viable.

Homes are expected to go on sale early next year, with construction expected to start later in 2015.

Designed to exceed Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the homes will be 30% more energy efficient than current regulations require.

Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: ‘The regeneration of Elephant and Castle continues to gather pace and this is a significant milestone as West Grove will provide hundreds of quality new homes and new retail space, drawing shoppers down to the surrounding areas and enhancing the thriving business community in the area. 

‘The regeneration of the Elephant and Castle is all about delivering new homes and new jobs for our residents, we’ve already seen over 280 Southwark residents find work in construction on the former Heygate site and this will continue to grow.’