Calls for Sadiq Khan to block controversial Borough Triangle development

Southwark Liberal Democrats are calling on the Mayor of London to overrule a controversial development passed by the Labour-run council last week.

Five Liberal Democrat councillors representing Borough and Bankside and St George’s wards have written to Sir Sadiq Khan formally asking him to exercise his powers to “call-in” the Borough Triangle scheme in Elephant and Castle.

The controversial Borough Triangle development, which will see 892 flats, 230 affordable and 153 at social rent, was narrowly approved by councillors at a Southwark planning meeting on March 26.

The Liberal Democrats had said that whilst the site was right to be developed, its failure to provide enough affordable housing meant that it was “unacceptable”. 

The scheme amounts to 35 per cent affordable housing, in line with the council’s policy. 

Labour councillor Helen Dennis, cabinet member for new homes and sustainable development, said that “despite the complexities” around this site, she was pleased to secure 153 homes for Southwark families on the housing waiting list.

But Liberal Democrat Borough and Bankside councillor Victor Chamberlain said: “When Borough Triangle got approved last week, we said that we would keep fighting for affordable housing and standing up for local residents. 

“We meant it. There are more than 2,800 families in SE1 alone on the social housing waiting list, for fewer than one in five homes to be available for social rent is simply unacceptable.”

A slew of buildings will be bulldozed to make way for the Berkeley Homes scheme, including the 100-year-old locally listed Institute of Optometry and the popular Mercato Metropolitano food court.

A replacement food hall is part of the planned development. But until it is finished, most of the 40 traders with stalls in Mercato Metropolitano will have to find alternative arrangements. 

Up to 12 will be rehoused in a temporary nearby location by Berkeley while the scheme is under construction.

According to the council, the development will deliver a 5,000sqft new community centre earmarked for the Latin American community with developers having earmarked £1million to mitigate impacts on residents of the neighbouring Scovell Estate.

Southwark Housing And Planning Emergency (SHAPE), an umbrella group of housing campaigns from across Southwark, held a protest against the plans outside the town hall on the night of planning committee meeting.

Siobhan McCarthy, 47, of Aylesham Community Action said: “Hearing members of the commiƩee repeat the phrase “far from perfect plan” shouldn’t be followed by an approval, especially with a plan that is only delivering the absolute bare minimum of social housing within such a large number of total homes. This cycle needs to be broken.”

The Mayor of London is able to take over planning applications if they meet a number of technical criteria relating to planning law. 

In an open letter, the Liberal Democrats set out where the development breached local and London planning policies, which include “failing to provide enough homes for families”. 

Cllr Chamberlain said; “There is a version of the development that could deliver genuinely affordable homes we need, whilst protecting heritage sites – but so far Labour have let developers get away with putting profit first.

 “That’s why we’re calling on Sadiq Khan to urgently step in to ensure that the development of Borough Triangle genuinely delivers for local communities in Southwark and across London.” 

 A spokeswoman for Sadiq Khan said he was not legally able to comment as an active application is yet to be referred to GLA for Stage 2 consideration.

Pictured top: SHAPE held a protest against the plans outside the town hall on the night of planning committee meeting (Picture: SHAPE)