Southwark council gives the green light to build around borough’s second tallest building

By Diana Morais

Southwark council‘s planning committee has unanimously approved plans to transform an empty site near Blackfriars Bridge into a £1billion development of offices, residential buildings and a central square.

Three new towers will be built next to the borough’s second tallest building, 1 Blackfriars,  including a 195-metre office block and two residential blocks of 155 and 95 metres.

The project will create 433 new homes on the site, 40.5 per cent of which will be affordable. This is an increase on previous plans, which included 26 per cent affordable housing on the site.

The council has secured £11.8million for affordable workspaces that it will build and manage in the district. It has also raised £40million for the project, which will be spent in the district through what is known as the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The nearby Christchurch Gardens will be redeveloped, and shops, bars, restaurants and theatres will be located at the foot of the buildings.

Councillor Helen Dennis, cabinet member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “It’s exciting that so many benefits will come forward for residents, new and existing businesses, and the local economy thanks to what was agreed during the planning process.”

Pictured top: A CGI image of the new development (Picture: Southwark council)