Today, the King’s speech introduced UK government’s new plans that focused on planning reforms and infrastructure. In response, Councillor Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, has announced at tonight’s council assembly, a raft of measures to bolster housing of all kinds in Southwark, and the infrastructure designed to support them.
Southwark has a record of housing delivery to be proud of, with 3,000 new council homes delivered or on site, more council housing completions than any other London borough last year. And in addition to our own council homes, our overall record on social rent is strong too. This is achieved through robust planning policies, including an insistence on affordable housing being delivered alongside student accommodation.
The council is intent that new developments create as much community benefit as possible. Without development, the Castle Leisure Centre could never have been built, as with the new Una Marson library and the new Health Centre – also on the Aylesbury and opening soon. Further, the new alms-houses on Southwark Park Road, the investment into Bramcote Park and Leyton Square off the Old Kent Road, the money for Southwark Pensioners’ Centre, Surrey Docks Farm and Marlborough Sports Gardens – all of these came from great partnership working.
Southwark Council has a viable action plan for delivering new homes which takes account of these challenges and which allows it to continue moving forward whilst also protecting the Housing Revenue Account for investment in existing stock. This will mean working in a different way, in partnership, to bring forward the council homes people on the waiting list desperately need. The proposals for the next phase of the council’s new homes programme will be presented at cabinet with the site list published in September.
These schemes are supported by strengthened transport and community infrastructure including the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension and working with the Mayor on plans to deliver the Bakerloop, an express bus that will be achieved in good part through S106 contributions. The Peckham Rye station upgrade will also come to fruition, making this busy interchange accessible to all, supported by a £1m community infrastructure levy boost.
Councillor Dennis said: “The community continues to be at the heart of all that we do – with homes and housing support for everyone, of all ages and needs. We cannot stand still on this, despite the challenges, so we will approach the housing crisis with proactive solutions and innovation. We know the importance of making Southwark a home, not just in housing terms, but in having the right transport networks, health care, parks and leisure spaces for people and their families to put down roots in the borough.”