Peckham residents mobilise to voice opposition to town centre transformation
Peckham residents came together to put on a show of force to protest against a housing development firm’s current plans to redevelop the much-loved and historic Peckham town centre.
With the backing of local celebrity pop singer Jessie Ware and local businesses, crowds 150-strong united to confront Berkeley Homes at a public meeting on Tuesday – which is the last time the developer will ‘engage’ with the public ahead of the planning application being submitted.
The development has been met with widespread criticism from residents, who say that new plans – which include the creation of 14 high-rise tower blocks and see the redevelopment of the Aylesham Centre in Rye Lane – would irreparably damage its existing strengths as a centre for specialised BAME goods and services, as well as the creative industries.
They also say the area needs green spaces and not vast shadows cast by towering housing blocks and that the current plans echo ones previously rejected by the council and condemned by campaigners in 2022- 2023.
The campaigners say the new proposed scheme exceeds the indicative guidelines of 850 homes set by the UK governments planning inspector, which more than doubled in size from 400 -850 units between 2017 and 2020.
Residents’ group Aylesham Community Action has been at the forefront of the campaign, working closely with Peckham Vision.
Eileen Conn, Peckham Vision founder and community activist, said: “Berkeley Homes have continued to ignore the views of local people who since 2014 have consistently campaigned against this kind of development.
“Locals have been misled and inadequately consulted throughout the entire planning process so there is very little awareness around the extent of the impact on local people, and the special nature of Peckham’s vibrant economy. The consultation process has been an absolute travesty and will have dire consequences.
“We are fighting for the right investment and development for the area – one which meets local needs and is in keeping with the character of Peckham.
“We want the council to tell Berkeley Homes that the consultation has not been adequate, and that they need to engage the local community in a different way that really takes on board their views. It is gentrification on steroids. The council needs to take action before it’s too late.”
The Berkeley Group said it could not provide a comment on the schemes while a consultation period is active, but did insist its proposals were in line with Southwark council’s ‘indicative allocation’ for this site, including all building heights.
They added their plans included the creation of 270 affordable homes and that they had held more than 300 meetings with the community to discuss the proposals.
Pictured top: Protesters making their point (Picture: Aylesham Community Action)