Elephant and Castle SPD SA Scoping Report v2

ELEPHANT & CASTLE
SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT /
OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK
SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL SCOPING REPORT

Draft for Consultation
London Borough of Southwark

Planning Policy Team
January 2011
SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF
January 2011
PROPOSED TIMETABLE FOR CONSULTATION AND HOW TO

COMMENT
CONSULTATION
TIMETABLE
Consultation on Sustainability
Appraisal Scoping Report
(this document)
January 2011 - February 2011
CONSIDERATION OF RESPONSES
Consultation on draft Elephant & Castle
Supplementary Planning
Document/Opportunity Area Framework,
Sustainability Appraisal & Equalities
Impact Assessment.
July 2011 September 2011
CONSIDERATION OF RESPONSES
Adopt the final version of the Elephant &
Castle Supplementary Planning
Document/Opportunity Area Framework
accompanied by final Sustainability
Statement and Equalities Impact
Assessment.
January 2012
HOW TO COMMENT ON THIS REPORT

If you have any queries regarding this document please contact the Planning Policy
Team. Comments can be returned by post, fax or email to:
Barbara-Ann Overwater
Regeneration and Neighbourhoods
Planning Policy
160 Tooley Street
London
Tel: 020 7525 5471
Fax: 020 7525 5561
Email: [email protected]
Consultation on this document begins on 13 January 2011.
All comments must be received by 5pm on 17 February 2011.
January 2011
CONTENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Page
4
11
13
64
67
74
Introduction
The Plan
Methodology
Context and Baseline Information
Sustainability Issues and objectives
Sustainability Appraisal Framework
Sustainability Report
Appendices
A1 Legal and Policy Background
A2 Relevant Plans and Programmes
A3 Baseline data
A4 Evidence base maps
A5 List of Community Facilities
A6 Glossary
A7 Abbreviations
A8 Development Capacity Assessment Elephant and Castle
A-2
A-3
A-37
A-59
A-67
A-74
A-75
A-78
January 2011
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
The London Borough of Southwark is preparing a draft supplementary planning

document (SPD)/ Opportunity Area Framework (OAPF) to provide detailed guidance
which expands on the regeneration vision and objectives for new development in the
Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area. London Plan policy 2A.5 states that strategic
partners should work with the Mayor to prepare planning frameworks for the
opportunity areas. The planning frameworks are intended to set out a programme for
sustainable development which delivers the targets and objectives of the London
Plan. For the purposes of London Plan Policy 2A.5, the Elephant and Castle planning
document will need to be both an SPD and an Opportunity Area Planning Framework.
1.2
The SPD/OAPF will replace the adopted documents which include the Elephant and
Castle Development Framework Supplementary Planning Guidance (2004) and the
Elephant and Castle Enterprise Quarter Supplementary Planning Document (2008).
The SPD/OAPF will expand upon the area vision for Elephant and Castle set out in
the Core Strategy (which will replace Policy 6.1 Elephant and Castle vision - of the
Southwark Plan), and set out in more detail the councils approach to development in
Elephant & Castle. The SPD/OAPF will also clarify which aspects of the Southwark
Plan Proposal site 39P (Elephant and Castle core area) have been superseded by
the Core Strategy.
1.3
Following consultation, the SPD/OAPF will be adopted by the council and become
part of the Local Development Framework (LDF). The document will be a material
consideration in decisions made by the council on all planning applications. This will
gain additional weight as it goes through the consultation and adoption process.
1.4
The council has prepared its submission version of the Core Strategy (and
accompanying Sustainability Appraisal) for the borough as part of the LDF, which was
subject to Examination in Public (EiP) by a Planning Inspector in July 2010. The
Inspectors report is due for publication in early 2011. Following the adoption of the
Core Strategy and in the light of the emerging London Plan, a joint approach between
the council and the GLA will provide a robust basis for the assessment of future
planning applications within the Elephant and Castle area.
1.5
The Local Development Framework is made up of a collection of Development Plan

Documents (DPDs), including Area Action Plans (AAPs), a Development
Management DPD and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), which will be
used to guide development in the area. Further explanation of the LDF documents is
set out below.

Local Development Scheme a timetable for the preparation of the LDF,

setting out what documents will be produced and when the key stages will take
place.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how interested
people and organisations can be involved in preparation of the LDF and in
future planning decisions.
Core Strategy a key element of the LDF, setting out the spatial vision for the
borough and including a set of key strategic policies from which all other
documents flow. Together with the other DPDs, it will replace the Southwark
Plan 2007. Southwarks Core Strategy will also identify particular locations in
the borough and outline what types of development would be appropriate there
in the future.
1.3
January 2011
Area Action Plans (AAPs) spatial strategies for key areas of development in
the borough. The Aylesbury AAP was adopted in January 2010. A draft AAP for
Canada Water has been prepared (with EiP scheduled in early 2011) and an
AAP for Peckham is being prepared and consulted upon.
Development Management DPD - this document will build upon the Core
Strategy setting out specific policies to manage development across the
borough and ensuring it contributes to the overall aims of the council.
Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) provide additional detail
around particular priority policies such as affordable housing and sustainable
construction.
Why do we need to carry out a Sustainability Appraisal?

Section 19 (5) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, requires
Sustainability Appraisals of plans to be carried out. Under the requirements of the
Act, Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of all Local Development Documents is mandatory.
The Planning Act 2008 has subsequently removed the requirement for the
Sustainability Appraisal of all SPDs. However, as the UDP policies were not
subjected to SA under the latest regulations, an SA is required for this SPD/OAPF to
test how well the planning document considers social, economic and environmental
issues in order to achieve sustainable development.
Planning authorities should ensure that sustainable development is treated in an
integrated way in their development plans. In particular, they should carefully
consider the inter-relationship between social inclusion, protecting and enhancing the
environment, the prudent use of natural resources and economic development.
PPS1: Delivering Sustainable Development (paragraph 24)
1.4
Strategic Environmental Assessment

Sustainability Appraisals also need to satisfy the requirements of the European
Directive 2001/42/EC. The Directive requires a formal Strategic Environmental
Assessment (SEA) of certain plans and programmes that are likely to have significant
effects on the environment. An SEA is required when preparing new or revised
DPDs.
The Government guidance on sustainability appraisal set out in Planning Policy
Statement 12: Local Spatial Planning, 2008 and the Plan Making Manual,
incorporates the requirements of the SEA Directive within the SA process. For the
purposes of simplicity, the term sustainability appraisal (SA) is used throughout this
document to include both the SA and SEA processes. Further details on the
legislative and policy background to sustainability appraisal are set out in Appendix
1.
1.5
Scoping Report
The preparation of a scoping report is the first stage of the sustainability appraisal to
assist in the preparation of the SPD/OAPF and its sustainability appraisal. The
scoping report sets out the sustainability objectives and indicators that will be used to
measure the impacts of the policy upon sustainable development. Baseline
information will be gathered to draw attention to key environmental, social and
economic issues facing the borough, which may be affected by development in
Elephant & Castle. The objectives and baseline information will be used to inform the
preparation of the SPD/OAPF and the subsequent SA.
January 2011
It is important to note that the SPD/OAPF will provide guidance to supplement

policies in a higher level development plan document (DPD), in this case Southwarks
Core Strategy, and replace detail set out within the saved Southwark Plan Policy 6.1
and proposal site 39P. The Core Strategy has undergone a comprehensive
sustainability appraisal, which established the baseline against which the effects of
the SPD/OAPF can be compared. The Core Strategy SA is therefore to be used as
the basis of this SA with a review and update of information where necessary.
In accordance with government guidance, the scoping report will be forwarded to the
statutory consultation bodies set out in the Environmental Assessment of Plans and
Programmes Regulations 2004, which include the Environment Agency, Natural
England and English Heritage. The Greater London Authority will also be consulted.
Following consultation on the scoping report, the council will prepare a full
sustainability appraisal of the draft SPD/OAPF in accordance with the regulations.
1.6
Structure of the Report

This report is divided into six sections.
CHAPTER
CONTENT
Chapter 1
Introduction
A Background to Sustainability Appraisals is given

setting out the requirement for Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA) and for
Sustainability Appraisal (SA). This section also
provides key questions for consultees to consider
when reading the Scoping Report.
This section sets out the objectives and purpose
of the SPD and the timetable for production of the
plan
Chapter 2
The Plan
Chapter 3
Methodology
This section sets out the legislative framework

and key stages in the SA process
Chapter 4
Context and Baseline Information
Identifies the links to relevant plans, policies &

programmes and provides a summary of the
baseline information
Chapter 5
Sustainability Issues and Objectives
This section shows the sustainability issues and

objectives that will be used in the Sustainability
Appraisal
Sets out the SA framework that will be used to
assess the impacts of the plan during the SA and
in subsequent monitoring of the plan
Provides the proposed structure of the
Sustainability Report and the method of
assessment
Chapter 6
Sustainability Appraisal Framework
Chapter 7
Sustainability Report
1.7
January 2011
Questions / Issues to respond to

Consultees are welcome to comment or provide input on any aspect of the content
and processes outlined in this report and are asked to particularly consider / comment
on the following matters:
1
Other Plans & Programmes

Consultees are requested to review Appendix 2 (page A-3) and provide
details of any other plans and programmes and sustainability objectives that
they consider to be particularly relevant to the SA of the SPD/OAPF.
Baseline Data Topics

Consultees are requested to review Chapter 4 and Appendix 3 and 4 (page
A-37). Consultees are invited to identify baseline data and sources of data that
they consider to be missing and should be included as part of the SA of the
SPD/OAPF and any key issues and trends this data identifies. Consultees are
also invited to make suggestions for improved / additional indicators
considered necessary.
Key Sustainability Issues

Consultees are requested to highlight any key issues omitted that they
consider the SA of the SPD/OAPF should address and comment on those
identified in Chapter 5 (page 53).
Sustainability Framework
Consultees are requested to comment on the SA Framework Chapter 6 (page
64), in particular the appraisal objectives, questions and indicators.
Sustainability Appraisal Report

Consultees are requested to comment on the proposed SA Report Structure
Chapter 7 (page 75).
2.0
THE PLAN
2.1
What are the objectives of the SPD?
January 2011
2.1.1 The proposed objectives of the SPD/OAPF are to:

Provide detailed guidance on the Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area and the
Mayors approach to development at the Elephant and Castle expanding upon the
Core Strategy vision.
Help ensure that all new development is supported by the appropriate
infrastructure it requires to meet the social, economic and environmental needs
that it generates
Provide detailed guidance on the key issues which affect the area, such as
heights and locations for tall buildings, provision and support for small businesses
and the scope of improvements needed for transport infrastructure
Provide a robust framework for negotiating section 106 planning obligations
Provide clarity to developers, development management officers, stakeholders
and local residents on acceptable development at the Elephant and Castle
Link in with other DPDs and SPDs.
2.1.2 In achieving these objectives, the SPD/OAPF will have a number of benefits. In
particular it will:
Provide up-to-date guidance in greater detail to both facilitate and ensure good
development
Help demonstrate how the infrastructure identified in the Core Strategy will be
delivered
Assist developers in allowing for the costs of obligations in their financial planning,
and help to reduce time required to negotiate and agree obligations, speeding up
the development management process and providing more certainty for all parties
Reiterate local priorities set out in DPDs and SPDs.
2.2
Purpose of the SPD
2.2.1 The need to prepare the SPD/OAPF is driven by a number of factors:

The SPD/ OAPF will cover the whole opportunity area boundary as set out in the
Core Strategy, this is in general conformity with the London Plan. At present, the
Elephant and Castle Development Framework SPG covers the core of the
opportunity area and the Enterprise Quarter SPD covers the northern part of the
opportunity area. There are areas of the opportunity area that therefore do not
currently have detailed guidance for development.
Following the adoption of the Core Strategy and in the light of the emerging
London Plan, a joint approach between the council and the GLA is needed for the
area to provide a robust basis for the assessment of future planning applications
To update the policy context, vision, objectives and monitoring requirements to
reflect the Core Strategy and the 2008 London Plan. Policy 6.1, the existing
Southwark Plan policy which provides an overarching direction for the area, will
not be saved after the Core Strategy is adopted. It will need to be replaced by a
more detailed layer of guidance which defines the councils approach to
development in the area. This will also need to clarify which aspects of Site
Proposal 39P have been superseded by the Core Strategy.
Infrastructure needs, particularly around transport, require a comprehensive
review and the SPD/OAPF will set out the delivery mechanisms and
implementation of key infrastructure required.
8
January 2011
Guidance on built development needs to be reviewed in the light of the London

View Management Framework, new conservation areas and completed
development.
The framework for planning obligations and their role in helping secure necessary
infrastructure requires consideration.
2.2.3 The Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area is set out below. The boundary has been
agreed with the Mayor and cannot be changed.
2.2
January 2011
What are the stages of the SPD/OAPF production?

Stages in Preparing the Elephant & Castle SPD/OAPF
Evidence Gathering
(Scoping Report)
September 2010 - January 2011

This has involved gathering information and
understanding the key social, economic and
environmental issues that affect the borough.
Consultation
5 Weeks formal consultation
January 2011 February 2011
Draft SPD/OAPF
(Draft SA)
February - April 2011

This assessment will be based on an
assessment of the positive and negative
impacts of the SPD/OAPF incorporating
feedback received during meetings with local
residents groups, and internal consultation
Public Consultation
We will hold 6 weeks informal consultation
followed by 6 weeks formal consultation.
July - September 2011
Draft SPD/OAPF sent to

Executive for adoption
(Final SA Report)
October 2011
Following feedback, the draft document will
be written up in detail as the final version of
the SPD/OAPF. The SPD/OAPF will be
submitted to the Council Cabinet and will be
examined to decide whether or not we can
adopt the SPD/OAPF and if any changes
need to be made
Adoption
January 2012
Once the councils Executive has approved
the SPD/OAPF the council will allow a further
3 months for anyone to raise concerns prior
to adoption of the document.
10
January 2011
3.0
METHODOLOGY
3.1
The steps involved in undertaking a sustainability appraisal (SA), which incorporates

the requirements of the SEA Regulations, are outlined in section 3.3 below. We are
at Stage A of the SA process for the draft SPD/OAPF, which involves setting the
context and objectives, establishing the baseline information and deciding on the
scope of the appraisal.
3.2
Our methodology for the preparation of the scoping report is structured in line with the
Governments A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Directive, 2005,
which provides guidance on the European Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment
of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment or SEA directive,
and the Plan Making Manual, which includes:
Identifying other relevant policies, plans and programmes and sustainable
development objectives
Collecting baseline information
Identifying sustainability issues and problems
Developing the SA framework
Consulting on the scope of the SA
A summary of the legal document background is set out within Appendix 1
3.2
In accordance with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes

Regulations 2004, which converted the SEA Directive into UK legislation, the council
will consult with the Environment Agency, Natural England and English Heritage,
allowing them 5 weeks to comment. All feedback received will be considered and the
scope of the appraisal amended if needed. Government guidance also recommends
that additional bodies and agencies can be consulted in order to gather further
information on the social and economic aspects of sustainability. This scoping report
will also be sent to the following additional bodies:
British Telecommunications
Corporation of London
Greater London Authority
Homes and Communities Agency
Lambeth Council
London Development Agency
Thames Water Property Services
Southwark Primary Care Trust
Any of the bodies from the following list who are exercising functions or a function
in the borough:
1. Person to whom a licence has been granted under section 7 (2) of the Gas Act
1986
2. Sewage undertakers
3. Water undertakers.
Any person to whom the electronic communalisations code applies by virtue of a
direction given under Section 106 (3)(a) of the Communications Act 2003
Any person who owns or controls electronic communications apparatus situated
in any part of the borough
11
January 2011
3.3
Consultation on this scoping report will ensure that all of the key local and wider
environmental, social and economic issues relevant to the area will be identified and
fully considered. Any comments received will provide useful additional evidence and
information to feed into the next stage of the process.
3.3
Stages in Sustainability Appraisal

SPD Stage
Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Stage
SPD Stage 1:
Stage A:
Setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and
deciding on the scope
Identify other relevant policies, plans and programmes and sustainable
development objectives
Collect baseline information
Identify sustainability issues and problems
Develop the SA framework
Consult on the scope of the SA
Pre-production
Evidence gathering
SPD Stage 2:
Production
Prepare draft SPD
Stage B:
Developing and refining options and assessing effects
Test the SPD objectives against the SA framework
Develop the SPD options
Predict the effects of the draft SPD, including alternatives
Evaluate the effects of the draft SPD, including alternatives
Consider ways of mitigating adverse effects and maximising beneficial
effects
Propose measures to monitor the significant effects of implementing the
SPD
Stage C:
Preparing the Sustainability Appraisal Report
Prepare the Sustainability Appraisal Report
SPD Stage 3:
Adoption
Stage D:
Consulting on the SPD and the Sustainability Appraisal Report
Consult the public and Consultation Bodies on the SA Report and the draft
SPD
Make decisions and provide information
Stage E:
Monitoring the significant effects of implementing the SPD
Finalise aims and methods for monitoring
Respond to adverse effects
12
January 2011
4.0
CONTEXT AND BASELINE INFORMATION
4.1
Links to other policies, plans and programmes

The first phase in stage A of the SA process involves the identification of relevant
plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives. A detailed schedule of
relevant documents is given at Appendix 2. The documents will be reviewed to
ensure that the messages from the policies are taken into account in the development
of the SPD/OAPF and to enable a robust appraisal of the impacts of policies.
QUESTION 1
Taking into account the information above and in Appendix 2, do you think
there are any other plans, programmes or strategies that should be taken into
account when preparing the SPD? If so, please use your response to tell us
what these are.
4.2
Baseline Information
Sustainability appraisal requires the collection of baseline information to enable an
effective assessment of the significant effects of the draft SPD/OAPF. Baseline
information helps identify the issues which are relevant to the draft SPD/OAPF and
provides the basis of future monitoring. The baseline information for the borough and
for the Elephant and Castle area has been set out below under a number of topic
headings. This information describes the current situation.
The Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area lies within four wards; Chaucer,
Newington, East Walworth and Cathedrals. Data for each ward has been collected,
where available, to provide an overall snapshot of the opportunity area. A map is
provided overleaf.
More discrete baseline data has been collected from a variety of sources, and is set
out in Appendix 3 of this report. The data correlates to a set of sustainability
indicators which are used for monitoring the effectiveness of our planning policies.
The data presented, while considered to be comprehensive, is not exhaustive and
any additional datasets identified or supplied by the consultation bodies will be
welcomed. Furthermore, some data may not currently be available and will need to
be obtained through the development of the draft SPD/OAPF. Where data gaps exist,
these have been clearly identified.
QUESTION 2
The baseline information is set out below and in Appendices 3 of this report.
If you know of any other information that should be included that would allow
us to identify important issues and effects of the SPD more effectively please
tell us in your response.
13
14
January 2011
4.2.1
January 2011
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
The key sources of data for the socio-economic characteristics for the borough are
the Census 2001 (due to be updated in 2011) and the Indices of Multiple Deprivation.
Population
Since the Census in 2001, the population of Southwark has risen from 258,087 to
285,600 (2009 Office for National Statistics estimate1), an increase of 10.6%. The
government has projected the population will rise further to 303,514 (17.6%) by 2016
and 337,482 (30.8%) by 2026. The population density across the borough as a
whole averages at around 84 persons per hectare, which is nearly double the Greater
London average of 46 persons per hectare2. The fact that Southwark has an
especially high population density has implications for housing, health and the local
environment. The age breakdown of the population is as follows:
AGE
GROUP
TOTAL
Years
0-15
16-24
25-49
50-64
65+m/60+f
16-64
NO. OF
PEOPLE
NO. OF
PEOPLE
285,600
1
Southwark
50,000
37,800
139,000
29,100
29,700
205,900
NO. OF
PEOPLE F
PEE
7,753,600
London
1,498,700
909,400
3,342,100
938,300
1,065,000
5,189,800
%
17.5
13.2
48.7
10.2
10.4
72.1
51,809,700
%
19.3
11.7
43.1
12.1
13.7
66.9
England
9,704,400
6,237,400
18,110,900
7,735,000
10,022,000
32,083,300
%
18.7
12.0
35.0
14.9
19.3
61.9
There are far more adults aged 25-49 years in the borough than in England as a
whole (percentage comparison), but the population share for children is just below the
national average. Southwark also has proportionally fewer older persons (60 years
and over) compared to England. Older people comprise 10.5% of Southwarks
population compared to 19% of the population within England.
AGE
GROUP
Years
0-15
16-24
25-49
50-64
65+m/69+f
16-64
Total
Wards falling within the Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area1

East Walworth
No.
%
2,284
18.3
1,720
13.8
5,836
46.7
1,330
10.6
1,333
10.6
8,886
12,503
100
Chaucer
No.
%
2,421
15.3
2,824
17.9
8,197
51.8
1,194
7.6
1,175
7.4
12,215
15,811
100
Newington
No.
%
2,600
17.6
2,187
14.8
6,937
47.0
1,450
9.8
1,580
10.7
10,574
14,754
100
Cathedrals
No.
%
1,818
11.6
3,093
19.8
7,808
49.9
1,388
8.9
1,525
9.8
12,289
15,632
100
The figures show that the Elephant & Castle area, in contrast to the borough-wide
figures, has a very high proportion of people between the ages of 16-24 (an average
of 16.6%), significantly higher than the borough, London or national averages. It will
be important to take into consideration the needs of young people, particularly in this
age range in the development of the SPD/OAPF and the future implications of the
population on the needs for the area. The area also has below the average number of
older people for the borough at just 9.6%.
1
2
Office for National Statistics, Neighbourhood Statistics for Southwark, June 2009, resident population estimates,
Office for National Statistics, Neighbourhood Statistics for Southwark
15
January 2011
Deprivation
The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2007 combines a number of indicators,
chosen to cover a range of economic, social and housing issues, into a single
deprivation score for each small area in England. This allows each area to be ranked
relative to one another according to their level of deprivation. Released on the 6th
December 2007 by the Department of Communities and Local Government, the 2007
IMD is currently the most recent version available. Appendix 4 sets out Southwarks
IMD rankings based on 6 indicators: Income, Employment, Health/disability,
Education/skills/training, Housing and Crime.
Southwark is ranked as the 26th most deprived local authority area (1 being the most
deprived) in England out of a total of 354 Local Authorities with Elephant & Castle in
particular suffering very high levels of poverty. In 2007, East Walworth ward was
ranked as the most deprived ward in Southwark, slipping from the 5th most deprived
ward in Southwark in 2004. The 10% most deprived areas are shown below.
There is a concentration of deprivation located within the East Walworth ward which
falls partly within the Opportunity Area boundary. This is also represented in
Appendix 4a which shows the overall Indices of Multiple Deprivation map for the
borough. It will be important to take into consideration the higher level of deprivation
occurring in the Opportunity Area and review the deprivation indicators in the
development of the SPD/OAPF to ensure the needs of the population are addressed.
16
January 2011
Ethnic composition
The ethnic composition of residents of the borough is currently as set out below3:
Ethnic Group
White British
White Irish
White Other
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean
Mixed: White and Black African
Mixed: White and Asian
Mixed: Other
Asian or Asian British: Indian
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi
Asian or Asian British: Other
Black or Black British: Caribbean
Black or Black British: African
Black or Black British: Other
Chinese
Chinese or other ethnic group
Southwark
London
England
No.
No.
No.
127,752
7,674
18,890
3,350
1,954
1,343
2,499
3,655
1,118
3,642
1,536
19,555
39,349
4,512
4,492
3,545
52.17
3.13
7.71
1.37
0.80
0.55
1.02
1.49
0.46
1.49
0.63
7.99
16.07
1.84
1.83
1.45
4,287,861
220,488
594,854
70,928
34,182
59,944
61,057
436,993
142,749
153,893
133,058
343,567
378,933
60,349
80,201
113,034
59.79
3.07
8.29
0.99
0.48
0.84
0.85
6.09
1.99
2.15
1.86
4.79
5.28
0.84
1.12
1.58
42,747,136
624,115
1,308,110
231,424
76,498
184,014
151,437
1,028,546
706,539
275,394
237,810
561,246
475,938
95,324
220,681
214,619
86.99
1.27
2.66
0.47
0.16
0.37
0.31
2.09
1.44
0.56
0.48
1.14
0.97
0.19
0.45
0.44
The table above shows that Southwarks largest ethnic group is white British
(52.17%), although this is lower than the averages for London (59.79%) and
Nationally (86.99%). Southwark also has a high percentage (16.07%) of residents of
Black or Black British African descent, considerably higher than both the London and
National averages, which are 5.28% and 0.97% respectively
Elephant & Castle Wards
Ethnic Groups
East
Walworth
No.
%
Chaucer
No.
No.
No.
White British
White Irish
White Other
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean
Mixed: White and Black African
Mixed: White and Asian
Mixed: Other
Asian or Asian British: Indian
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi
Asian or Asian British: Other
Black or Black British: Caribbean
Black or Black British: African
Black or Black British: Other
Chinese
Chinese or other ethnic group
5,673
462
916
163
87
72
137
136
38
350
36
735
2,517
260
235
183
5,253
396
1,280
169
135
77
183
408
79
817
149
616
2,660
246
357
233
40.2
3.0
9.8
1.3
1.0
0.6
1.4
3.1
0.6
6.3
1.1
4.7
20.4
1.9
2.7
1.8
6,395
536
903
216
141
42
136
112
9
269
74
1,062
2,371
226
198
180
49.7
4.7
7.0
1.7
1.1
0.3
1.1
0.9
0.1
2.1
0.6
8.3
18.4
1.8
1.5
1.4
6,561
475
1,582
153
106
92
138
278
103
486
91
538
1,628
161
413
310
50.0
3.6
12.1
1.2
0.8
0.7
1.1
2.1
0.8
3.7
0.7
4.1
12.4
1.2
3.2
2.4
47.3
3.9
7.6
1.4
0.7
0.
1.1
1.1
0.3
2.9
0.3
6.1
20.9
2.2
1.9
1.5
Newington
Cathedrals
The table above shows a majority of White British, White Other and Black or Black
British (African) people residing in the four wards within the Opportunity Area with
significantly high levels of Black or Black British African residents within the wards of
East Walworth (20.9%) and Chaucer (20.4%). It will be important to identify and take
into consideration the individual needs of ethnic groups within the area and ensure
these are included in the development of the SPD/OAPF.
3
Office for National Statistics, Neighbourhood Statistics for Southwark, April 2001 Resident Population Estimates by Ethnic
Group
17
January 2011
Religion
The composition of religious groups is as follows4:
Religious Groups
Southwark
London
Christian
No.
150,781
%
61.58
Buddhist
2,621
Hindu
2,664
Jewish
Muslim
Sikh
Other
England
No.
4,176,175
%
58.23
No.
35,251,244
%
71.74
1.07
54,297
0.76
139,046
0.28
1.09
291,977
4.07
546,982
1.11
1,011
0.41
149,789
2.09
257,671
0.52
16,774
6.85
607,083
8.46
1,524,887
3.10
578
0.24
104,230
1.45
327,343
0.67
884
0.36
36,558
0.51
143,811
0.29
No religion
45,325
18.51
1,130,616
15.76
7,171,332
14.59
Not stated
24,228
9.89
621,366
8.66
3,776,515
7.69
The majority of residents in Southwark who stated their religion in the 2001 Census
were of Christian faith (61.58%) with the second highest category being No religion
(18.51%). By comparison 58.23% were of Christian faith in London and 71.74%
nationally, with 15.76% of London residents expressing no religion and 14.59%
nationally.
Elephant & Castle

Religious Groups
East
Walworth
Chaucer
Newington
Cathedrals
No.
No.
No.
No.
Christian
7,333
61.11
7,165
54.87
7,862
61.09
7,348
56.03
Buddhist
154
1.28
144
1.10
121
0.94
190
1.45
Hindu
102
0.85
300
2.30
68
0.53
189
1.44
Jewish
23
0.19
39
0.30
33
0.26
64
0.49
Muslim
1,134
9.45
1,686
12.91
1,009
7.84
1,223
9.33
Sikh
11
0.09
55
0.42
88
0.68
37
0.28
Other
28
0.23
57
0.44
32
0.25
59
0.45
No religion
1,771
14.76
2,225
17.04
2,186
16.99
2,601
19.83
Not stated
1,444
12.03
1,387
10.62
1,471
11.43
1,404
10.71
The majority of residents within the Opportunity Area are of Christian faith with
Muslims comprising the second largest faith, an average of about 10%. The
SPD/OAPF will need to address the provision and or enhancement of a network of
community facilities to make sure everyone has access to the facilities they need,
including places of worship.
Office for National Statistics, Neighbourhood Statistics for Southwark, 2001, religion
18
4.2.2
January 2011
EMPLOYMENT
Employment rate
The employment rate for Southwark is 67.5%, lower than both the London and UK
averages (68% for London and 73% for the UK5). The unemployment rate in
Southwark is 9.9%, which is higher than London at 9.1% and the National level of
7.9%. Unemployment has risen from 8.0% in 2008. Since January 2008 there has
also been a rise in the number of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants, rising
from 3.0% to 4.7% in August 2010.
Elephant & Castle Wards
Employment Rate (2001)
East
Walworth
Chaucer
Newington
Cathedrals
Employment rate
59.5%
57.2%
61.4%
56.5%
Unemployment rate
13.4%
10.8%
12.8%
11.8%
The table above shows the highest unemployment rate is located within the East
Walworth ward at 13.4% with all the other wards in the opportunity area showing
unemployment rates at higher than the London and National levels. The issue of
unemployment in the area will need to further assessed and opportunities need to be
identified to provide jobs for local residents across a broad range of sectors and skills.
Appendix 4b sets out a graphical representation of the employment deprivation in the
borough and Appendix 4c shows the income deprivation. Appendix 4d represents the
Education, training and skills deprivation. Further baseline employment data is set
out in Appendix 3.
5
6
Economic activity
The number of active enterprises (VAT and or PAYE registered businesses) in
Southwark is 12,845 (2008) which is a 4.7% increase on the 2007 active enterprise
count of 12,265. Southwarks 2008 count compares favourably to neighbouring
boroughs Lambeth and Lewisham, counts for these boroughs were 11,305 and 7,470
respectively. The potential to encourage further economic activity in the area and
build upon the recent growth will be important.
Business Size
Small businesses contribute heavily to employment in the borough. Approximately
10,742 companies in Southwark employ between one and ten employees, comprising
84.1% of all companies registered in the borough and 19.3% of the workforce. The
number of small businesses has grown over the period 1997-2008. The number of
large companies which employ over 200 people is 114, approximately 0.9% of all of
the companies registered in the borough. This is equivalent to 52.4% of the
workforce. 6 The SPD/OAPF will need to consider the needs of small businesses to
ensure that they can continue to thrive and make a positive contribution to the area.
Types of employment
Southwark has a wide mix of industries and types of employment, which vary
between the different areas of the borough. The main employment areas in the
borough are the traditional industrial areas at the Old Kent Road and South East
Bermondsey, the more localised industrial areas of Mandela Way and Parkhouse
Street in the north, and the rapidly growing commercial office locations of Bankside,
Borough and London Bridge in the north west. There are also other pockets of
Nomis Official Labour Market statistics Employment and unemployment (Apr 2009-Mar 2010)
Annual Business Inquiry 2008
19
January 2011
industrial land throughout the borough, ranging in size from small estates to single
premises.
Main Employment Areas in Southwark
20
January 2011
Employment Sectors
The majority of residents in Southwark are employed in the banking and financial
services sector representing 42.4% of the employment in the borough. The second
largest employment sector is the public administration, education and health services
sector, which represents 21.2% of the employment in the borough.
Other key sectors of employment include the Hotels and Catering services, creative
and cultural industries and tourism sectors. The tourism sector has also seen rapid
growth in recent years, with employment increasing from 6,207 in 1998 to 10,734 in
2007. Employment numbers in the creative and cultural industries have risen from
2,430 to 2,978 over the period 1998 to 2007.
-
Office Market (B1 Use)

The City Fringe commercial office market (SE1 market) can be found in the
northwest of the borough. This property market has prospered in recent years, as
a result of an increase in demand for high quality office space from companies
providing support and complementary services to The City occupiers. This
market accounts for approximately 1,130,000m of floorspace. The SE1 market
contains a range of premises, from converted former industrial premises to small
to medium sized purpose built office buildings. Larger floorplate buildings are
also becoming a feature near to the south bank of the river Thames.
The North West of the borough at Elephant and Castle and Bankside, Borough
and London Bridge is in the Central Activities Zone. This is an area where largescale office development is encouraged and promoted in the London Plan. The
adopted London Plan (2008) identifies the Elephant and Castle area as an
Opportunity Area with an employment capacity of around 4,200 jobs over the
period 2001 2026. The Elephant and Castle area has been identified as being
suitable for B1 uses, owing to its very good PTAL rating, access to facilities and
amenities.
Southwarks Employment Land Review 2010 (ELR) identifies there is capacity in
the borough to increase the amount of office space to between 1,549,865 and
1,674,885 m (forecast demand of between 419,865 m to 507,590 m). The ELR
recommends the majority of this new floorspace could be accommodated in the
SE1 office market area, with the remainder accommodated throughout the rest of
the borough.
The small local office market can be found mainly within the town centres of the
borough, including Elephant and Castle. The local office market is generally
made up of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) providing services to other
local businesses. Information technology, creative industries, public sector
organisations and professional services are common businesses. This office
market is estimated at 125,000 m floorspace in the borough. Local agents
expect that demand for higher quality office space currently outweighs supply as
there is a significant over supply of poor quality second-hand stock in the
borough.
The ELR identifies that the majority of SMEs are searching for premises between
200m and 500m. The ELR projects a demand for an additional 25,140m to
30,171m of B1 floorspace over 2009-2026 to be accommodated within the local
office areas, some of which can be accommodated at Elephant and Castle.
21
January 2011
The area around the London Southbank University (named the Enterprise
Quarter) is home to the London Knowledge and Innovation Centre (LKIC), which
provides support services, incubator space and business advice to knowledgebased start-ups supported by the university and the council. The ELR (2010)
confirms that there is demand for the provision of additional flexible workspace in
the borough.
The need to promote an environment suitable for new businesses to locate will
need to be explored through the SPD/OAPF. The guidance will also need to
address the forecast demand for B1 business floorspace in the area and suggest
appropriate locations where this new floorspace could be built.
-
Industrial/Warehousing Market (B2/B8)

Clusters of industrial areas are focused around the major transport infrastructure
in the borough. This includes the Old Kent Road (A2) in the north of the borough,
leading from New Cross to Elephant and Castle, and the North Kent rail freight
line (South East Bermondsey). Other established industrial areas include the
Rotherhithe Road and Lovegrove Estates, Glengall Road and Mandela Way
distribution/warehousing centre. There are also older self-contained clusters in
the south of the borough, which suffer from restricted access or poor
transportation, such as Parkhouse Street.
The local market supply of industrial and warehouse property in the borough has
been declining in recent years as land has been lost to other uses. This has
occurred where there has been a lack of demand for sites/premises, mostly for B2
(industry), where they are outside the main employment areas. Despite the
supply of industrial premises declining, there is still demand for new high
specification B8 (warehousing) premises. The decline in B2 premises is linked to
economic change and the trend of disappearing manufacturing companies from
inner London. The increase in B8 stock can be partly linked to the increase in the
central London office market and its supply needs.
In 2006, the borough had approximately 389,000 m of B2 floorspace (with the
majority of this floorspace located in the Old Kent Road and South East
Bermondsey industrial locations) and 602,000 m of B8 floorspace. In 2008 this
reduced to 357,000 m of B2 and 594,000 m of B8. Between 2006 and 2010, the
borough had experienced a net loss of 24.9 hectares of B2/B8 land. However,
this loss should be considered within the context of the 2006-2026 quantum of
industrial land release recommended for Southwark set out in the Mayors
Industrial Capacity SPG (which amounts to 38 ha).
The Elephant and Castle area does not contain any designated industrial areas,
however the railway arches located along the Thames Link railway have
traditionally accommodated general industrial storage, light industrial and carrelated sui-generis uses. A number of the premises located in the Elephant and
Castle area are served by single lane cul-de-sacs, which makes servicing of
businesses difficult and sometimes inappropriate for B2/B8 uses. The ELR
(2010) sets out that a change of use to office (including creative and cultural
industries) and other suitable A, B and D uses may be appropriate for this railway
arches.
22
January 2011
Retail Market
The town centres in Southwark are arranged in a hierarchy as set out below.
Major Town Centres
Elephant & Castle (& Walworth Rd)
Peckham
District Town Centres

Bankside & Borough
Camberwell
Canada Water
London Bridge
Lordship Lane
Local Centres
Dulwich Village
Herne Hill
Nunhead
The Blue
The amount of floorspace within each town centre is as follows:
Retail Floorspace
Centre
Sq.m. gross
Peckham
London Bridge
Canada Water
Camberwell
Elephant & Castle
Lordship Lane
Bankside & Borough
Dulwich Village
Herne Hill
Nunhead
The Blue
75,409
45,913
45,885
29,803
26,431
21,749
17,904
na
na
na
na
Source: Goad 2008
The Southwark Retail Capacity Study, 2009 provides an assessment of the

existing shopping provision within the centres around the borough, and the scope
to improve shopping functions. The study suggests that although Southwark
residents generally do their food shopping in the borough, most people do not
shop for comparison goods (items such as clothes, shoes, music and books)
within Southwark. The study indicates that retail floor space can be expanded,
particularly for comparison goods, without harming the vitality of centres outside
the borough. The study includes an estimated capacity forecast for an additional
8,044 sqm net of convenience goods floorspace in 2013, increasing to 11,554
sqm by 2018 across the borough. The study estimates limited comparison goods
capacity in 2013 as a result of development commitments coming forward.
However, the increase in available expenditure by 2018 creates capacity for
13,996 sqm net of comparison goods floorspace.
The strategy is to improve the choice available in Southwarks centres, particularly
at Elephant and Castle/Walworth Road, Canada Water and Peckham, which have
been identified as having the most capacity for growth.
23
January 2011
The table below sets out the number of units in each town centre:
Centre
Bankside &
Borough
Camberwell
Canada
Water
London
Bridge
Lordship
Lane
Elephant
& Castle
Comparison
13 units
9.2%
44 units
21.2%
31
units
56.4%
27 units
18.1%
48 units
28.1%
32 units
30.8%
Convenience
18 units
12.8%
33 units
15.9%
1 unit
1.8%
14 units
9.4%
19 units
11.1%
11 units
10.6%
Service
98 units
69.5%
111 units
53.4%
20
units
36.4%
84 units
56.4%
90 units
52.6%
52 units
50.0%
Vacant
10 units
7.1%
20 units
9.6%
1 unit
1.8%
18 units
12.1%
13 units
7.6%
9 units
8.7%
Miscellaneous
2 units
1.4%
0 units
0%
2 units
3.6%
6 units
4%
1 unit
0.6%
0 units
0.0%
Total Units
141
208
55
149
171
104
Elephant & Castle town centre includes 104 units, comprising 26,431 sqm of retail
and services floorspace. Elephant & Castle has an under-representation of
comparison retailing. Service units dominate the centre with 52 units accounting
for half of all shops in the centre and almost 70% of overall floorspace (18,469
sqm). The imbalance in the retail composition can partially be explained by the
fact that Elephant and Castle offers 9,643 sqm of sports and leisure facilities,
which are a benefit to the centre but offer little in the way of high-end comparison
shopping as a counterbalance.
Elephant & Castle Major Town Centre Retail Composition: Unit Count by Use
Category
Retail
Category
Comparison
Convenience
Service
Vacant
Miscellaneous
Total
No. of Units
% of Total
32
11
52
9
0
104
30.8
10.6
50.0
8.7
0.0
100
UK Average
(%)
35.4
8.7
45.8
9.9
0.2
100
Variance
-4.6
1.8
4.2
-1.3
-0.2
Source: Experian Category Report, (Jan 2007)
Elephant & Castle Major Town Centre Retail Composition: Floorspace by Use
Category
Retail
Category
Comparison
Convenience
Service
Vacant
Miscellaneous
Total
Floorspace
(sqm)
4,812
1,867
18,469
1,282
% of Total
18.2
7.1
69.9
4.9
0.0
100
26,431
Source: Experian Category Report, (Jan 2007)
24
UK Average
(%)
38.8
14.2
38.8
8.1
0.1
100
Variance
-20.5
-7.1
31.0
-3.2
-0.1
0.00
January 2011
Vacancy levels are low in the centre. There is a record of only nine vacant units
comprising 8.7% of the overall unit count; this is less than the national average
(9.9%). The 1,282 sqm of vacant retail floorspace is 4.9% of the overall quantum
of floorspace in the town centre, this is well below the national average (8.1%)7.
The low vacancy rate indicates that despite uncertainty over the timescales for the
redevelopment of the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre operators have
remained in situ. Vacant units on the upper floor of the shopping centre have
been re-used as offices and storage space rather than remaining vacant.
In Elephant & Castle multiple retailers occupy eight of the 32 comparison
shopping units. The Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre accounts for the main
agglomeration of comparison shopping and multiple retailers. Clarks, Peacocks
clothing and, until recently, Woolworths are among the principal comparison
attractors. There is a lack of comparison retailing in the shopping centre. There
are four general clothing stores, no department stores and one variety store.
Elephant & Castle shopping centre has a Tesco Metro convenience store and an
Iceland frozen foods store. The Tesco provides 823 m (net) of convenience
floorspace on one level and the Iceland store provides approximately 490 m
(net). Retailer demand is low in Elephant & Castle with nine requirements for a
total quantum of floorspace ranging between 5,500-10,500 m. At the time of the
study, this included, TK Maxx Clothing, Priceless Shoes, Poundland, Shoezone,
The Body Shop, Coffee Republic, Premier Inn Hotel, Take Two, Turkish Food
Centre.
The Walworth Road, a linear high street, is within the Elephant & Castle Major
Town Centre boundary. It is also designated as a protected shopping frontage,
which requires that the proportion of A1 (retail) use class units must not fall below
50%. The retail offer along Walworth Road is far more varied and diverse and
accessible than at Elephant & Castle, with 127 comparison shopping units and
121 service units. The range of goods and services means that the area operates
as a traditional District Centre with good retail provision, meeting the needs of a
wide local catchment. There are around 31 multiple comparison retailers located
on the road. These include Browns Clothing, the Carphone Warehouse, Boots
the Chemist, Allied Carpets, Footlocker, Peacocks and Marks & Spencer.
East Street Market, located off the Walworth Road, is full of fresh fruit and
vegetables and local favourites such as jellied eels and African-Caribbean
produce. It is a mixed street market selling a low cost range of fresh produce,
clothing, footwear, jewellery, household goods and CD/DVDs. The market is
open Tuesday to Sunday. It currently has 244 available pitches with
approximately 120-180 occupied.
The SPD/OAPF will need to address the imbalance of retailer representation
between the Elephant and Castle core area and the Walworth Road shopping
high street. The SPD/OAPF has the opportunity to focus upon the limited
comparison goods retailing within the Elephant and Castle core area and promote
a more varied shopping experience.
Experian Goad Category Report 2008

25
4.2.2
January 2011
EDUCATION
The table below sets out the number of early years, primary and secondary schools,
special schools and higher education establishments currently in the borough as well
as any proposed facilities.
Early Years
Primary
Secondary
Special
Early year
centres
(0- 5 yrs)
Primary
Schools
71
Secondary
Schools
16
Nursery
Schools
Community
Schools
42
Academies
Voluntary
aided
schools
24
Voluntary
aided schools
(1 to become
an academy)
Foundation
Schools
Childrens
centres
(9 on school
sites)
20
Foundation
Schools
(becoming
academies)
Academies
(3 18 yrs)
1
ADDITIONAL NEEDED
Secondary
Schools
Higher
Education
Special
Schools
Colleges
Pupil
Referral Unit
University
PROPOSED
Special
schools
Appendix 4d represents the Education, training and skills deprivation levels

throughout the borough. This shows wards in the east and middle of the borough,
such as Rotherhithe, South Bermondsey, Livesey, East Walworth, Faraday,
Newington, Peckham, Nunhead and Camberwell Green have higher levels of
deprivation.
Reception and Primary School Provision
The eight Community Council areas are grouped as four quadrants for the delivery of
childrens services:
Bermondsey and Rotherhithe
Borough and Bankside and Walworth
Camberwell and Dulwich
Peckham, Nunhead and Peckham Rye
The borough received over 3,292 first preference applications for reception places in
September 2010, which is very close to the available capacity. It is projected that a
range of between 5 and 14.5 new reception class places will be required across the
borough by September 2015. In the north of the borough there is a projected
reception class shortfall of between 3.5 and 7.5 Form Entry (FE) by 2015. In the
centre of the borough the projected reception shortfall is between 1.5 and 4 FE by
2015.
At present, the Council has been delivering its Sure Start programme, which will see
the completion of a new children's centre at Bessemer Grange primary school, along
with a series of major improvements to the foundation stage. Goose Green primary
school will also receive funding to open a children's centre. In addition some 4.5m is
being allocated to a range of small projects in the private, voluntary and independent
sector to improve the quality of childcare.
26
January 2011
There were 19,949 pupils on the primary roll at January 2008, of which nearly twothirds are from black or minority ethnic (BME), a proportion higher than in the adult
population. In 2007, a little over one-third, 33.9%, qualified for a free school meal,
which was more than double the national average of 15.9%.8
As at January 2010, there was capacity for 23,520 primary places, with a surplus of
3,320 places or 14.1%. Eight primary schools had surplus capacity above 25%. It is
predicted the primary school population will rise (based on different assessments of
the numbers of 4 year olds) to between 23,319 and 23,771 by 2018 which is
between less than 1% below our current capacity and 1.5% more than capacity.9
Forecasts for the borough have confirmed that new primary provision will be required
for the area over the next few years. The Council is proposing to meet this pressure
for places by a combination of temporary bulge classes along with some permanent
increases in school size10.
The Council has a primary capital programme which has a number of projects
underway and committed. Three schools are being rebuilt, which include - Michael
Faraday, Eveline Lowe and Southwark Park. Michael Faraday is likely to
be completed at the end of 2010 and will be the first new building in the Aylesbury
regeneration.
Funding was secured from the government for new school places, which includes a
new building for Cherry Garden special school, co-located with the new Tuke
secondary special school which is now in construction. Gloucester primary school,
on the same campus, will also see major investment. New places are being created
by the expansion and modernisation of Lyndhurst, and permanent improvements
being made at Heber, Crampton and Goodrich where bulge classes are being
opened, with others to follow.
In addition, some 4m is also being spent to modernise and improve voluntary aided
schools. Other schemes include 1m to enlarge and improve Haymerle special
school; Robert Browning will also see major investment to regenerate and modernise
its fine Victorian building.
The Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area has a number of primary schools. These
are located in the following wards:
East Walworth
St.Johns Walworth
CE Primary School
Robert Browning
primary School
Victory Primary
School
English Martyrs
Roman Catholic
School
Surrey Square
primary school
Townsend primary
school
Chaucer
Newington
The Globe academy
Southwark Annual School Census 2008

Southwark Primary Strategy for Change 2008
10
Southwark Updated Primary Capital Programme 2010
9
27
St Pauls primary
school
Crampton primary
school
Keyworth primary
school
Cathedrals
Charles Dickens
primary school
Charlotte Sharman
primary school
Friars primary
schools
St Georges RC
primary school
St Judes CE primary
school
January 2011
Special Education School provision

Southwark currently maintains 1,520 statements of special educational need, which
represents 2.5% of the population under 20 years old. This compares to a national
average of 1.9%. Overall, 66% of all pupils with statements of special educational
need attend mainstream schools, compared with 60% nationally. As at January 2007,
27% of pupils had a special educational need (SEN). There are two special schools
proposed for redevelopment
- Tuke School the new school is being built on land on the corner of Longhope
Close and Daniel Gardens
- Cherry Garden the special school will be co-located with the new Tuke
secondary special school
Secondary School provision

As at January 2010, there was capacity for 12,130 secondary places in the borough.
Through the Governments Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and the Academies
programme, every secondary school in the borough will be refurbished or re-built by
2012. Several developments which would increase capacity have either recently been
completed or are in progress:
- Tuke school (secondary) - has recently been rebuilt to increase capacity
- Bredinghurst (secondary) this is a re-configuration to improve buildings. The
scheme is currently at planning stage with completion expected in 2012
- Highshore (secondary) will be co-located with St. Michaels & All Angels
Academy
Funding for these projects is committed in the councils capital programme and has
not been affected by the Governments Comprehensive Spending Review.
Due to population growth and the cumulative impact on school place provision in the
borough, there is also a need to accommodate further expansion for secondary
school provision. The need to provide two new secondary schools has been
identified, to be located in Rotherhithe and Walworth. These schools would
accommodate one 5FE (750 pupil) school in Rotherhithe and one 5FE school with a
300 place 6th form in the north of the Aylesbury estate to serve the Elephant and
Castle and Aylesbury Estate regeneration projects11.
The 2007 Southwark Plan designated a site in Rotherhithe for one of the new
schools. This allocation has been reviewed through the draft Canada Water Area
Action Plan. All potential sites were surveyed against criteria (see appendix 4 of the
draft AAP Infrastructure Background paper). The preferred site has been identified as
Rotherhithe primary school. The second site has been identified as Walworth Lower
School. Both new schools are located on existing schools sites and are planned to
open in 2014. Both projects are funded through the BSF programmes.
The Elephant and Caste Opportunity Area has three secondary schools. These
include the Globe academy, Notre Dame RC and St Saviours and St. Olaves CE.
The new Walworth academy is planned to accommodate secondary pupil numbers
arising from the Elephant and Castle area.
Higher Education provision

Over a third (35%) of working age residents in 2001 had higher education
qualifications, which is nearly double the national norm. However, the proportion of
those with no qualifications (24%) was above the London average12. In 2001,
Southwark was also home to 18,800 full time students. This is almost double the
11
12
Southwark Schools for the Future: New school provision, September 2006
Office for National Statistics, Neighbourhood Statistics for Southwark, 2001
28
January 2011
national average and the third highest in London. Southwark has a number of tertiary
education institutions offering a range of higher education courses including:
- Southwark College
- London South Bank University
- Camberwell College of Arts
- London College of Communication
- Morley College.
Over 20,000 university students come to Elephant and Castle to study each day,
mainly at:
- The London College of Communication (LCC)
Previously the London College of Printing, the LCC adds an arty feel to the
Elephant, with courses available in design, animation, fashion, journalism and
marketing. The building has recently been upgraded by award winning local
architects, Allies and Morrison.
- London South Bank University (LSBU)
The student role at London South Bank University (LSBU) was 24,748 in the
2008/2009 academic year. The London South Bank University is expanding and
improving its campus in order to accommodate a significant growth in student
numbers up to 2020. The university has a 15 year Estate Strategy which will
guide the anticipated needs.
In 2009, LSBU completed a new landmark building on the corner of Keyworth Street
(K2). K2 is a state-of-the-art building primarily for the Faculty of Health and Social
Care, including skills laboratories and staff offices, and the Education Department. It
also includes an Energy Centre providing a focus for research, teaching and
demonstration of environmentally sustainable energy systems in buildings. This
building is the culmination of a five-year 50 million estates strategy. The area in and
around LSBU is the main concentration of education and employment uses within the
Elephant and Castle, with LSBU as the most significant owner and occupier of land
and buildings.
The SPD/OAPF will need to build upon the existing SPD on the Enterprise Quarter
and provide further up to date guidance on development within this important area for
education and new enterprise.
4.2.4
COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL FACILITIES

Community facilities
There are currently:
- 210 Council owned community buildings of which approximately 110 are Tenants
and Residents association halls (TRA). The remainder are predominantly in
Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) occupation;
- 25 non-school buildings currently managed by Childrens services (youth
buildings, play rooms/one o-clock clubs, adventure playgrounds, sports sites),
which are currently used or have the potential to be used by the VCS13.
- There are also day centres for older people, people with mental health
problems and for adults with physical disabilities.
The Elephant and Castle contains a network of groups and organisations which help
serve the community. A list of some of the community groups and organisations are
set out in Appendix 4h.
13
Strategy for the future Management of Council owned properties occupied by the Voluntary and Community Sector,
Southwark Corporate Property, April 2009
29
January 2011
Cultural Facilities
The north of the borough and the wider South Bank area provide a world-class
cultural quarter with the Tate Modern and Shakespeares Globe, Bankside Gallery,
Southwark Playhouse, Vinopolis, The Golden Hinde, Inago Jones Theatre, the Clink
Prison Museum, HMS Belfast, Southwark Cathedral, the George Inn Public House,
Operating Theatre, museum and garden. Other cultural facilities in the borough
include the Imperial War Museum, Design Museum, Fashion and Textile museum,
Bermondsey Antiques Market, Dulwich Picture Gallery, South London Gallery, Caf
Gallery, Unicorn Theatre for Children and other galleries, theatres, orchestras, music
and dance organisations of national and regional importance. The borough contains
12 libraries including the John Harvard library, which has recently been refurbished.
Elephant and Castle has been defined as a cultural hub by the London Development
Authority. There are many notable arts organisations based in the area including:
Abacus Arts
CoolTan Arts
Corsica Arts Studios
Clement Yard Fully Applied Arts
Kaleidoscope
New Elephant Open Network (NEON)
Pembroke House Academy of Music
Southwark Orchestra
London College of Communications
The Enterprise Centre for the Creative Arts (ECCA)
Pullens Yards
Siobhan Davies Studios

Newington library is located in the Opportunity Area, on the Walworth Road.
Adjacent to the library is the Cumming Museum and archive. It houses a diverse
collection that includes archaeology, ethnography, social history and natural history
and the Southwark Art Collection, which includes works by artists ranging from
Hogarth through to Keith Tyson.
The area is also host to several large entertainment venues. Some of these are listed
below:
The Coronet
The Coronet entertainment venue is located on New Kent Road. It has been
operating as an entertainment venue for over 100 years and has retained all
of its art deco features. The building was abandoned in 1999. The Coronet
was restored and reopened in 2003. With a capacity of 2600 over 3 floors and
a late license, it has become a venue synonymous with live music and is now
also hosting corporate and private parties
Ministry of Sound
This world famous nightclub is located near the Northern Line tube station in a
large warehouse. It is run by the Ministry of Sound Group.
The Palace Superbowl
Located on the first floor on the shopping centre
Elefest
Elefest, Elephant and Castle's annual multi-media and performing arts festival
was launched as a platform from which to celebrate and showcase the
creative and cultural diversity of the area. Elefest is fast becoming a regular
fixture on the cultural map of London.
The SPD will need to provide guidance on the provision of new arts and cultural
facilities and encourage more of these uses in the area to promote a more varied
town centre and to ensure that the increased population in the area has the facilities
30
January 2011
to support its growth. Further work will need to be undertaken on understanding the
number and type of arts and cultural facilities in the area and whether this is adequate
to support the change in population. Currently, there is not a standard charge to
secure Section 106 contributions towards the provision of new arts and cultural
facilities. A standard charge would need to be linked explicitly to identified needs,
population and employment growth and infrastructure planning.
Faith premises
In London, many faith communities are currently constrained by inadequate facilities
that fail to provide the level and range of social services and activities that are
needed. The Mayors Supplementary Planning Guidance Planning for Equality and
Diversity and Planning (2007) includes a sub-section on supporting places of worship
(Implementation Point 4.5c, p.87) that explores the finer-grain spatial implications of
worship space location for local areas and encourages multi faith spaces where
possible. It states that:
Boroughs are advised to identify significant clusters of faith groups and

identify sites that will encourage the provision of suitable places of worship
and meeting places (separate from or integrated with places of worship).
Where appropriate, multi denomination places of worship should be
encouraged, which can also serve as wider community facilities, especially as
part of regeneration schemes.
It is estimated that there are around 360 faith groups within Southwark comprising a
mixture of religions including Christian, Jewish, Bahai, Coptic, Hindus, Buddhists,
Sikhs, Muslims and Rastafarian. A total of 112 faith premises have been identified in
the borough, with a large majority located in the Peckham area. 77 (or 69%) of the
112 faith premises investigated were unauthorised, the majority of which are
Pentecostal/evangelical faith groups serving a mostly BME congregation.
At present, there is a lack of suitable buildings classified as D1 Use Class (NonResidential Institutions) the class suitable for faith groups. The rapid growth in the
number and size of faith groups in the borough has created additional pressure on
established places of worship. The unauthorised use of industrial buildings by faith
groups for places of worship has been identified as the most significant breach of
planning control involving change of use in Southwark and is considered to be taking
place at a larger scale than in any other London Borough.
The Council has been working through its Community Involvement and Development
Unit (CIDU) and the borough's multi faith forum Southwark for Jesus to understand
more about the needs of faith groups. The Council is undertaking an assessment of
the sites within the borough currently being used as places of worship by means of a
questionnaire survey. The outcome will provide a much more comprehensive
understanding of the activities and development requirements of faith groups,
adequacy of current provision, and travel patterns.
An event called Having Faith in Southwark was organised by the council and held at
London South Bank University on 16 November 2009 attended by key staff from the
council and approximately 60 representatives of religious groups. At this event, the
council launched its general advice booklet for religious groups Guide for Faith
Premises in Southwark 2009. This event was followed up with a further Having Faith
in Southwark event on 15 July 2010 where council officers gave detailed advice on
property and planning issues to around 18 representatives of religious and other
community groups.
31
January 2011
The SPD/OAPF will need to consult with the faith groups in the Elephant and Castle
area, identify any development needs of these groups and examine the potential for
new community facilities to provide spaces which can be used by different groups.
4.2.5
LEISURE AND RECREATION

Leisure facilities
Southwarks public leisure centres and the Southwark Park Sports Centre are
managed by Fusion Leisure Trust, a non-profit and community based organisation.
The leisure centres are located in the areas listed below:
Leisure Centre
Address
Camberwell Leisure Centre
Artichoke Place, off Camberwell Church Street,

London SE5 8TS
45 East Dulwich Road, London SE22 9AN
22 Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6SQ
St Georges Road, London SE1 6ER
Dulwich Leisure Centre

Elephant & Castle Leisure Centre
Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Sports
Facility
Peckham Pulse
Seven Islands Leisure Centre
Southwark Park Sports Centre
10 Melon Road, Peckham, London SE15 5QN

Lower Road, Rotherhithe, London SE16 2TU
Hawkstone Road, Rotherhithe, London SE16
2PA
Other facilities of borough importance include:
Leisure Facility
Address
Surrey Docks Watersports Centre
Located at Rope Street, off Plough Way,

Greenland Dock, this centre has recently
undergone a 2.39m refurbishment programme.
It has a fully equipped gym, fitness studios, a club
room for sailing courses and functions and wet
and dry changing rooms.
Seven professionally surfaced courts
A practice wall
Floodlighting
South Dock Marina is London's largest marina.
Located in South Dock and Greenland Dock on
the south bank of the Thames on the Rotherhithe
Peninsula.
Offering over 200 berths and plenty of facilities,
the Marina is available all year round.
Burgess Park Tennis Centre
South Dock Marina
There are also leisure facilities run by private companies across the borough that
provide for the needs of the community such as Herne Hill Community Velodrome
which is operated by the Dulwich Estate.
The Fusion leisure centre is located on the Elephant and Castle gyratory, adjacent to
the Tabanacle listed building. The councils cabinet has approved the
recommendation to redevelop and improve facilities on the current Elephant and
Castle leisure site. A public consultation has been underway to obtain feedback from
the community to address what could be included within a new centre.
The SPD/OAPF will need to set out guidance on the leisure centre site and set out
opportunities for its redevelopment and relationship to other development sites in the
area.
32
January 2011
Children and Young people facilities

A range of facilities and services are available, supervised and unsupervised, for
children and young people in Southwark. The audited facilities include: after-school
clubs; holiday play schemes; youth centres; and mobile services. It is also
acknowledged that Childrens Centres, day nurseries, parent and toddler groups,
breakfast clubs, one oclock playrooms, certain sports provision and other supervised
activities will include elements of play activity.
The borough has 40 fixed play sites, 6 enclosed childrens play areas catering for 2
14 year olds, informal games areas and a variety of sports facilities. There are also
200 play areas on housing estates comprising fixed metal play equipment.
-
After-school provision
Southwark After-School service, provides 33 school based clubs for 5 -11 year
olds, open 5 days a week. Programmes are designed within a service curriculum
framework and include art, dance and drama, games and sport activities.
Four council holiday play schemes operate during the Easter and summer in
North West, North East, South West and South East areas of the borough.
Adventure playgrounds / Supervised Free Play opportunities

There are 10 adventure playgrounds, 7 managed by the council and 3 by
voluntary management committees. Adventure playgrounds in Southwark are
open during out of school hours, on various days between Monday and Saturday
during term-time and Monday to Friday for 11 weeks during school holidays. A
pilot Mobile Sport and Play project, delivers play opportunities to areas of the
borough where limited access has been identified.
Other provision
In addition to the above main provisions, there are other supportive provisions:
- supervised, open access playrooms for 0-5 years in term-time/holiday periods,
- Burgess Park Kart and BMX Track for 8-16 year olds
- White Grounds Skateboard Park.
- The Brimmington Outdoor Sports and Play facility (SPARKS).
- Mobile Toy and Resource library.
4.2.6 Health and Safety

The health of people in Southwark shows a mixed picture. Life expectancy for men
and women in Southwark is lower than the England average. Life expectancy for
men who live in the least deprived parts of the borough is over 7 years higher than for
those who live in the most deprived parts. The difference for women is almost 5
years.
Appendix 4e represents the health and disability deprivation levels throughout the
borough. This shows wards in the north and middle of the borough, such as
Rotherhithe, South Bermondsey, Cathedrals East Walworth, Newington, Nunhead,
Brunswick Park, The Lane Camberwell Green have higher levels of deprivation.
Deaths from smoking in people 35 years and over were significantly higher than the
national average, at 254 per 100,000 people compared to 206 nationally. A similar
trend occurs for early deaths from heart disease and stroke (87 per 100,000
compared to 74.8 nationally) and cancer (129 per 100,000 compared to 114
nationally)14.
14
Southwark Health Profile, 2010
33
January 2011
The proportion of children in reception year classified as obese is among the highest
in England, with 14.2 % classified as obese, compared to a 9.6% average in England.
Southwark also has a high rate of infant deaths. There were around 7 deaths per
1,000 live births, compared to the national average of 4 deaths15.
Southwark has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in England, with 73 per
1,000, compared to 41 per 1,000 nationally. However, levels of smoking during
pregnancy and breastfeeding initiation are better than the England average16.
Southwark has a high rate of people claiming incapacity benefit with mental or
behavioural problems, with a rate of 31 people per 1,000 working age population,
compared to 27.6 per 1,000 nationally17.
Southwark experienced a rate of 53.7 road injuries and deaths per 100,000
population compared with 51.3 nationally18.
The level of crime and fear of crime is one of the most commonly cited influences on
people's quality of life. There are many links between crime and health. Some of the
most obvious are the effects of personal violence and assault, which can have both
mental and physical consequences for health in the short and long term. Crime is
associated with social disorganisation, low social capital, relative deprivation and
health inequalities. Violent crime is significantly higher in Southwark than the national
average, with a rate of recorded violence of 32.5 per 1,000 population compared to
16.4 nationally.
Appendix 4f represents the crime deprivation levels throughout the borough. This
shows there are many wards which experience a high level of crime, with the highest
being Rotherhithe, South Bermondsey, East Walworth, Faraday, Newington,
Nunhead, Peckham Rye, Brunswick Park, The Lane, Camberwell Green, The Village,
College.
In 2009, Southwark revised its CCTV strategy. Part of this work included a new
agreement with partners in Transport for London to have a camera sharing project in
Southwark, which increases the number of cameras that the council has access to.
This will increase the coverage across the borough and will have huge benefits to the
operational capacity to use CCTV to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
The table below provides the numbers of crime incidents reported in Oct 2010 within
the wards covering the Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area19.
15
Southwark Health Profile 2010

Southwark Health Profile 2010
17
Ibid
18
Ibid
19
Metropolitan Police Crime Mapping October 2010
16
34
East Walworth
January 2011
Chaucer
Newington
Cathedrals
52
22
41
55
13
19
19
12
15
10
30
63
83
37
234
13
16
15
21
31
13
22
33
Violence Against the person
Sexual Offences
Robbery
Burglary
Theft and Handling
Fraud and Forgery
Criminal Damage
Drugs
Other Notifiable Offences
Breakdown of the total crime numbers listed in the table above is given below to show
the highest incidence of crime in each ward:
-
Violence against the person: Cathedrals ward

Sexual Offences: Cathedrals ward
Robbery: Cathedrals and Newington wards
Burglary: Cathedrals ward
Theft and Handling: Cathedrals ward
Fraud and Forgery: Cathedrals ward
Criminal Damage: Cathedrals ward
Drugs: East Walworth ward
Other Notifiable Offences: Cathedrals ward
The promotion of the Elephant and Castle area to accommodate more businesses
and retail development will increase the number of people working in and visiting the
area. This will be positive for Southwark but also poses the risk of an increase in
crime and disorder in the north of the borough.
The SPD/OAPF will need to address community safety issues and promote crime
reducing initiatives, such as Secured by Design. Such principles should be
incorporated into the design and planning of new schemes to ensure new
developments take into account how design can reduce the incidence of crime. In
addition, the council should work with colleagues in adult health and childrens
services to find ways of working together to support vulnerable residents and find
ways of reducing the number of people out of work. Opportunities to access
education, vocational training and employment will also need to be considered, which
all help address the wider issues surrounding ill health.
35
January 2011
Health Facilities
Southwarks Primary Care Trust (PCT) is continuously improving and helping to
improve health across the whole borough. The primary care estate in Southwark
contains a large number of properties across the Borough20:
PCT premises (of which 17 are operational clinical sites)
GP practice properties
Community pharmacies
Ophthalmic Practices
Dentists
Total sites
26
48
63
23
37
196
There is a wide variation of the PCT estate in terms of age, size, tenure, quality and
condition. Significant investment has been made in recent years in developing a
number of purpose-built premises including Lister Health Centre, the Artesian Health
and Podiatry Centres and Sunshine House Child Development Centre. These provide
very high-quality clinical and patient environments but with high comparative rental
costs. Just over a third of the operational floor space is now under 10 years old.
The PCT still has an inherited legacy of a number of pre-1948 buildings making up
38% of total floor space - as well as a number of 1960s to 1980s developments of
variable quality. However, the majority are in reasonable physical condition and with
sufficient investment in their refurbishment and adaptation can continue to operate
efficiently at least in the short to medium term (up to 10 years). The exceptions are
the following, which require further investment:
- Dulwich Community Hospital.
- Aylesbury Health Centre
- Bermondsey Health Centre
- Bowley Close Rehabilitation Centre
- Townley Road Clinic.
There are 48 separate GP premises within the borough. As with the PCT estate,
although significant investments have been made in developing new purpose-built
facilities, approximately 25 per cent of floorspace is in pre-1948 buildings and
approximately half is in adapted premises, either residential or commercial. There are
a small number of very poor premises that are of an unacceptable standard in
providing a sufficient quality of patient care. The Primary Care Directorate are
currently considering what action should be taken to deal with these properties21. The
table below provides a list of all of the GP practices located within the Opportunity
Area boundary or just on the border of the boundary.
Practice
20
21
Av.Patient list
08/09
Net usable area

(m2)
Ratio pat /
m2
Princess Street Group Practice
13,745
781
17.6
Falmouth Road Group Practice
10,421
673
15.5
Borough Medical Centre
5,392
403
13.4
Manor Place Surgery
10,825
395
27.4
Villa Medical Practice
5,706
323
17.7
The Surgery, 182-184 Old Kent Rd
5,736
283
20.2
The Surgery, 33 Penrose Street
4,136
210
19.7
The Surgery, 249 Old Kent Road
1,063
73
14.6
NHS Southwark Commissioners Investment & Asset Management Strategy (CIAMS), 2009
NHS Southwark Commissioners Investment & Asset Management Strategy (CIAMS), 2009
36
January 2011
The PCT has a limited number of operational premises in the Elephant and Castle
locality. The premises include Walworth Clinic and the Aylesbury Health Centre
(currently closed) on the Aylesbury Estate. Walworth Clinic provides clinical space for
sexual health services, a range of midwifery, speech and language and health visiting
clinics for local small GP practices, as well as 2 podiatry chairs. The closure of the
Aylesbury Health Centre has resulted in a severe shortage of PCT clinical and office
accommodation in the locality with a number of teams serving the area having to be
based elsewhere in the borough.
Both Walworth Clinic and the Aylesbury Health Centre offer potential for significant
service expansion to address the need for space for PCT operational premises. The
SPD/OAPF will need to review the overall capacity of medical services within the area
and identify whether new health facilities will be needed to accommodate a projected
increase in population in the area as a result of regeneration developments.
4.2.7
Climate Change and Sustainability

Energy and carbon
Energy use in buildings is responsible for around 85% of the CO2 emissions across
Southwark. In 2006, Southwark adopted a climate change strategy that aims to
reduce CO2 emissions across the borough by 80% by 2050 and to pursue a
decentralised energy strategy for the borough.
The government has set a target for all new homes to be carbon neutral by the year
2016. Carbon neutrality is defined as emitting no net carbon emissions from all the
energy used over the course of the year. To achieve carbon neutral buildings, the
design must incorporate elements that conserve energy and water use, include
renewable energy technologies and use sustainable construction techniques. The
Code for Sustainable Homes sets out the national standard for developing homes in
accordance with sustainability principles. The Government requires all new dwellings
to be rated in accordance with the requirements set out in the Code for Sustainable
Homes.
The scale of regeneration and estate renewal planned across the borough means
that housing and commercial uses in particular can make a very large contribution to
achieving our climate change targets. Southwark therefore requires new housing to
meet Code level 4 and commercial development to meet BREEAM excellent. These
targets will also help achieve Government targets to reduce CO2 emissions from new
development in accordance with the building regulations.
National Grids high voltage electricity overhead transmission lines / underground
cables within Southwarks administrative area form an essential part of the electricity
transmission network in England and Wales including a 275kV underground cable
from Newcross substation (on the Old Kent Road) in Southwark to Wimbledon
substation in Wandsworth as well as existing gas holders on the same site on the Old
Kent Road.
The emerging London Plan Policy 5.5 Decentralised Energy Networks sets out
boroughs should, as a minimum, identify opportunities for expanding
existing networks and establishing new networks and develop energy master plans
for specific decentralised energy opportunities.
Elephant and Castle has the potential to set new standards of environmental
responsibility in urban redevelopment, including energy efficiency, renewable energy
technology, and a move towards a decentralised low carbon energy supply. The
37
January 2011
potential for a local energy network that will connect individual sites to a community
heating network is being examined. The network should be compatible with many
forms of renewable energy (including locally derived sources of renewable fuel), and
be capable of being extended to serve the wider community.
Major development should achieve a 44% saving in carbon dioxide emissions above
the building regulations from energy efficiency, efficient energy supply and renewable
energy generation. A reduction in carbon dioxide of 20% from using on-site or local
low and zero carbon sources of energy should also be achieved.
The SPD/OAPF will need to provide more detail on the viability and potential to
implement a system of decentralised energy generation through a series of local
systems generating heat and/or power at or near the point of use, connected to local
distribution networks. This will minimise the energy that is lost in transmitting energy
and will make the area less reliant on remote energy sources.
Water
Southwark is within an area of serious water stress - the amount of water being used
is close to the total amount of water available, and demand for water is rising. Climate
change may result in hotter, drier summers, which could reduce the amount of water
available. In the short-term there could be an increase in water restrictions. Longerterm consequences could include water shortages and rising water prices.
Currently, all mains water is treated to drinking standard. This is an expensive and
energy intensive process, particularly considering that at least 40% of water
consumed in homes and workplaces does not need to be of drinkable quality (for
example water used for flushing toilets, washing laundry and watering parks and
gardens). The draft Core Strategy sets a target for major housing development to
achieve a potable water use target of 105 litres per person per day.
The council is committed to implementing initiatives to reduce water demand at the
Elephant and Castle which would include implementing methods for efficiently using
local groundwater resources where possible for non-potable uses across the
regeneration area.
Influencing consumer behaviour is recognised as being vital to the success of an
integrated water management programme and in this regard the Council are working
closely with the GLA, the Environment Agency, Thames Water and its community to
promote water saving schemes and education programmes. In addition, initiatives to
eliminate leakage associated with aged pipe work are planned. There will also need
to be significant investment in new potable and non-potable water distribution mains.
The potential for an area-wide, integrated water management system in Elephant &
Castle should be investigated through the development of the SPD/OAPF which
could cut water consumption and significantly reduce the requirement for a fully
treated potable supply.
Waste and Recycling
National Government has set targets for Southwark Council to increase recycling
rates and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. The Mayor has also set waste
targets for boroughs through the London Plan including the need to allocate enough
land to process at least 243,000 tonnes (municipal as well as commercial) of waste
by 2016, at least 275,000 tonnes by 2021 and at least 343,000 tonnes of waste by
2031. This will help meet the London-wide target of processing at least 85% of the
citys waste within London by 2020.
38
January 2011
Further guidance on how the waste targets will be achieved will be set out in a future
Development Plan Document and our Waste Management Strategy. Within
Southwark land is being safeguarded to meet the Mayors waste processing target
including 11ha of land at Old Kent Road. A new facility is being built on part of this
land by Veolia Environmental Services, the Councils waste management partners, in
order to help meet the targets by processing 88,350 tonnes of waste per annum with
the potential to treat further waste by converting it into biomass fuel. Using the GLAs
generic standard, the residual part of the Old Kent Road gasworks site, may be
capable of processing 256,000 tonnes of waste per annum.
Southwarks Waste Management Strategy, 2003-2021 sets out the councils
proposals for moving Southwark towards more sustainable waste management. The
key features include:
- a reduction in the amount of municipal solid waste generated in Southwark to
below 3% by 2005, and below 2% by 2010. In real terms, due to population
growth (estimated at a further 27,000 residents by 2021) the absolute amount of
waste will rise but the strategy aims to deliver a decrease in the actual rate of
growth
- achievement of 30% recycling and composting standards for household waste by
2010-11 and 40% by 2015-16 and 50% standards by 2020-21
- recovery of value from 45% of municipal solid waste by 2010-11, 67% by 2015-16
and 75% by 2020-21.
Southwarks Waste Minimisation Strategy, 2007 2010 sets out the councils
proposals for addressing waste growth by minimising household waste. The Strategy
identifies a number of policies, initiatives and projects that can help achieve a
reduction in waste growth to 2% or less by 2010, a major element being through
engendering behavioural change in Southwark. Veolia Environmental Services will
assume responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of the Strategy in the
medium and longer term.
In order to minimise the amount of waste produced in the demolition, construction
and operation of development in the Opportunity Area a waste management and
minimisation strategy is needed. Opportunities will need to be explored in the
SPD/OAPF.
Flood Risk
A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment has been prepared to understand flood risk in
Southwark. The northern half of the borough is within the Thames flood plain, which
contains over two thirds of Southwarks properties in well established communities.
A large part of the borough is located within the indicative flood zone 3, which has the
highest level of risk. However, it should be noted that all the land in the borough is
defended by the Thames Barrier and defences so that the risk from tidal flooding is a
residual risk.
The flood plain area also contains major regeneration and growth areas of
importance to Southwark and London including: the Central Activities Zone; Elephant
and Castle Opportunity Area; Bankside, Borough, and London Bridge Opportunity
Area; and Canada Water Action Area.
The Government (and the Environment Agency) would like to see all development
located in areas of low flood risk (zone 1). This is not always going to be possible and
so new development will need to be directed to sites where the risk of flooding is
appropriate to the vulnerability of the land use proposed. The Environment Agency
has produced Flood Risk Maps. This map designates land in the borough in one of
three zones:
39
January 2011
Zone 1 land at low risk of flooding from the Thames (land south of
Camberwell and Peckham), which is at low risk from flooding from the
Thames
Zone 2 - land at medium risk of flooding from the Thames (we dont have
much of this in the borough)
Zone 3 land at high risk of flooding from the Thames (this is in the north of
the borough and includes the Central Activity Zone, Elephant and Castle
Opportunity Area and Bermondsey and Canada Water)
Two thirds of the sites identified in the councils Development Capacity Assessment
are located in flood zone 3. These sites are needed to meet our housing targets. In
the southern parts of the borough, where flood risk from the Thames is low, there are
limited sites available for development.
The Thames Catchment Flood Management Plan and Thames Estuary 2100 Project
being prepared by the Environment Agency will help manage flood risk from the
Thames over then next 50 to 100 years. Whilst the Thames Barrier and flood walls
along the riverside provide a degree of protection, consideration needs to be given to
their potential failure or inability to contain very high floods as a result of climate
change. It is important that new buildings are designed to be safe in the event of a
flood and easily repairable afterwards.
The Environment Agency has identified areas in Southwark that are susceptible to
surface water localised flooding in heavy rainfall as a result of old water mains; poorly
designed and maintained drainage; and too many hard surfaces. The areas which are
susceptible include Herne Hill, Camberwell, Peckham and pockets spread out
throughout the north of the borough including Elephant and Castle which has some
larger concentrated areas susceptible to localised flooding in Newington ward and
East Walworth ward.
The SPD/OAPF will need to ensure that new development is properly designed so as
not to increase the risk of surface flooding in the area, including applying principles of
sustainable urban drainage and not increasing hard-standing areas, in order to
reduce run-off from sites.
Sewerage
The volume and frequency of untreated sewage overflowing into the River Thames is
unacceptable and also contravenes the European Urban Wastewater Treatment
Directive. Thames Water has a programme to replace old Victorian Water mains and
they are planning to build the Thames Tunnel which will help stop sewerage
overflowing into the river. Thames Water is currently in consultation on its preferred
route for the main tunnel which will generally follow the route of the River Thames to
Limehouse, where it then continues north-east to Abbey Mills Pumping Station near
Stratford. There it will be connected to the Lee Tunnel, which will transfer the sewage
to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works.
The Thames Tunnel Project will address the overflows from the Combined Sewer
Overflows (CSOs), either by directly connecting them to the tunnel, or by making
other alterations to the sewerage system which will utilise the existing capacity more
effectively. The flows diverted into the Thames Tunnel will be stored in the tunnel and
pumped out for treatment at Beckton Sewage Treatment Works in east London. The
CSOs will still be needed after the Thames Tunnel has been built to direct flows to the
River Thames in exceptional circumstances when the new tunnel system is full. This
is only expected to occur very occasionally. There are no sites identified for the
Thames Tunnel in the Elephant and Castle Area.
40
January 2011
Pollution
Vehicle emissions are the cause of 50% of air pollution and estimated to cause
24,000 deaths per year in the UK22. Southwark has particularly high levels of air
pollution, mainly caused by traffic. As a result, the entire borough north of the A205
has been declared an Air Quality Management Area and the establishment of an Air
Quality Strategy and Improvement Plan (AQSIP) has been undertaken.
Southwark is required to periodically review and assess the effectiveness of the Air
Quality Strategy and Improvement Plan and do this through regular Update and
Screening Assessments (USA). The last Southwark USA was undertaken in 2006
and this identified that only two of the set targets, those for particulate matter less
than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), would be exceeded23.
NOx emissions are primarily nitric oxide (NO) but this is converted into NO2 in the
atmosphere through chemical reactions with ozone (O3). The figures overleaf show
the modeled NO2 and PM10 concentrations in Southwark for 201024.
The most significant local pollutants, NOx and PM10, are mainly associated with
vehicular emissions, especially those of buses, lorries, coaches and taxis. It is
envisaged that these pollutants will reduce significantly over the next 15 years,
through initiatives such as the London Low Emission Zone which covers all of
Southwark, limiting access to heavy vehicles that can demonstrate compliance with
strict emissions criteria and technological advances in reducing exhaust emissions.
The major east-west routes of the New/Old Kent Road and A202 Peckham/
Camberwell Road are distinct sources of air pollution. There is a concentration in the
North West of the borough with particular hotspots around the Elephant and Castle,
Tower Bridge Road and the London Bridge/Bankside area. Concentrations are not
simply a function of the level of traffic but determined to a significant degree by
congestion. The greatest traffic flows are on the A2 towards Walworth Road east and
south of the Elephant and Castle respectively. Although concentrations are high the
along these roads, concentrations along roads with fewer vehicles are comparable,
due to increased congestion25.
The council has installed two air quality monitoring stations in 2010 in the borough.
These monitoring stations will collect information on NOx and PM10 and are located at:
- Old Kent Road, by the gasworks
- Elephant and Castle, at St Marys Newington Church Yard (expected Dec 2010)
These two air quality monitoring stations, however, only provide details for those
specific locations. To complement the stations, it is proposed to use the outputs from
the councils traffic count programme to look at trends in road borne traffic. Although
traffic counts do not directly measure air quality, they can be used as a proxy
measurement if we assume that as traffic volume increases, air quality will
decrease26.
22
Southwark Air Quality Management and Improvement Plan

Southwark Draft Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan 2010
24
Southwark Draft Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan 2010
25
Ibid
26
Draft Southwark Transport Plan 2010
23
41
Source: Southwark Draft Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan 2010
42
January 2011
Source: Southwark Draft Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan 2010
43
January 2011
January 2011
The Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area falls within an Air Quality Management
Area, indicating that the prescribed Air Quality Objectives of the London Plan are not
likely to be met at locations where members of the public might reasonably be
exposed. Whilst no pollution monitoring has been carried out for the area, it is
assumed that levels will peak where road traffic levels are greatest, and in particular
where bus and heavy vehicle traffic is highest. Areas where vehicles are halting and
accelerating will also experience concentrations of pollutants. The northern
roundabout in Elephant & Castle is therefore likely to experience high exposure to
NOx and PM10.
The SPD/OAPF will need to set out guidance to help minimise the impact traffic
congestion and resulting pollutants has on the public realm and living environments,
through good urban design and building design.
Noise
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs formally adopted
Noise Action Plans for 23 agglomerations (large urban areas), major roads, and
major railways in England on 15 March 2010. The purpose of Noise Action Plans is
to assist in the management of environmental noise and its effects, including noise
reduction if necessary, in the context of government policy on sustainable
development. Noise Action Plans are based on the results of the strategic noise maps
published in 2008. Defra has produced a noise strategy map and action plan for the
London Agglomeration.
Noise levels within Elephant & Castle are dominated by the impact of road traffic,
especially those of heavy vehicles. As with air pollution, noise levels are greatest
where traffic levels are highest, and where vehicles are halting and accelerating. The
northern roundabout, and New Kent Road are therefore most affected by road traffic
noise due to the very high number of daily vehicle movements.
The SPD/OAPF will need to set out guidance to help minimise and manage the
environmental noise resulting from traffic congestion through addressing the issues
surrounding the transport infrastructure and road layout in the area.
44
January 2011
4.2.8
Historic Buildings, Sites, Views and Conservation Areas

Throughout the borough there are many attractive and historic buildings, monuments,
important local views and sites that reflect Southwarks rich history and add to the
unique character and identity of places.
Listed Buildings
There are approximately 2,500 listed buildings and monuments in Southwark. A listed
building can be a building, object or structure that is of national, historical or
architectural interest. 29 of those buildings are on the English Heritage buildings at
risk register
Elephant and Castle contains a number of prominent Grade II listed buildings:
- Imperial War museum Lambeth Road
- St. Georges Circus terraces London Road
- Former church of St Jude St. Georges Road
- Catholic church of St. George St. Georges Road
- Michael Faraday memorial Elephant and Castle
- Metropolitan Tabernacle opposite Elephant and Castle shopping centre
- Court House Newington Causeway
- Southwark Central library and Cummings Museum Walworth Road
- Southwark Municipal offices Walworth Road
- Walworth Clinic Walworth Road
- John Smith House Walworth Road
Conservation Areas and Historic Sites

There are 40 conservation areas covering 686ha (23% of the borough). Conservation
area and character area appraisals have therefore been undertaken for the majority
of these areas.
There are also archaeological remains that cannot be seen that provide important
evidence of our past. We have identified 9 Archaeological Priority Zones (APZs)
covering 679ha (23% of the borough).
There are three conservation areas located within the Elephant & Castle Opportunity
Area.
- West Square
- St. Georges Circus
- Pullens Estate
The map below shows the locations of listed buildings, the archaeological priority
zones and the conservation areas throughout the borough.
45
Listed Buildings, Archaeological Priority Zones, Conservation Areas
46
January 2011
January 2011
Character areas
Southwark has many places with their own unique character. The Central Activities
Zone is a setting for activity and large scale development including tall buildings
which give Southwark and London a distinct skyline. There are fewer and smaller
open spaces and fewer trees and gardens, but there is a close relationship with the
River Thames.
Areas in the middle of the borough around Bermondsey, Walworth, Camberwell and
Peckham are characterised by lower-scale development, with a mixture of Victorian
and Edwardian terraces, broken up by post-war estates, town centres and some
newer housing development.
The southern part of Southwark around Nunhead, Peckham Rye and Dulwich has
very leafy and green residential neighbourhoods with large open spaces, gardens
and tree-lined streets of houses and terraces rather than flats. Areas such as
Aylesbury Estate and Peckham are being regenerated and improved.
Rotherhithe also has a suburban character with mostly low scale housing close to
large open spaces. There is also a maritime character reflected in and around the
docks and River frontage. Canada Water town centre will be transformed by
regeneration and new development.
Character areas in the Elephant and Castle Opportunity area have been identified,
however, further assessment is needed through the preparation of the SPD/OAPF to
review this baseline information. The map below represents the different areas.
47
48
January 2011
January 2011
Summary
West Square and St.
Georges Circus
Enterprise Quarter
Rockingham
Town Centre and

Heygate
Brandon Street
West Square is a mixed area containing a number of notable terraces of

th
good quality late Georgian and mid-19 century houses, with a number of
significant public buildings. The area contains West Square Conservation
area, which contains an almost perfect example of a Georgian London
square, complete with formally laid out central gardens and trees.
The Imperial War Museum, with its surrounding parkland (Geraldine Mary
Harmsworth Park), is the centrepiece of the West Square conservation
area. St Georges Roman Catholic Cathedral is the other important
building. The area is bisected by two busy main roads: Lambeth Road and
St Georges Road. Residential uses predominate with community use (the
Museum) and religious uses also being important.
The enterprise quarter lies immediately to the north-west of the Elephant
and Castle core area. This area has the main concentration of education
and employment uses within the Elephant and Castle. London South Bank
University (LSBU) is the most significant owner and occupier of land and
buildings and the Keyworth Street/Borough Road area has something of
the activity of an urban university campus. The enterprise quarter also
includes other uses, such as housing, small businesses, leisure and local
community services and facilities. The area also contains a number of
vacant or under used sites and buildings.
An area primarily characterised by residential buildings, also containing the
Rockingham Housing Estate. It is bordered by Harper Road at the north
and New Kent Road to the south. The train line dissects through the
western part of the character area.
Town Centre - The town centre contains a shopping centre, built in the
1960s with an office block above. The area includes a complex road
junction system, which forms part of the London Inner Ring Road and part
of the boundary of the London congestion charge zone. The roadways
contain unattractive pedestrian underpasses. There are also two tube
stations serving the Northern and Bakerloo lines. The shopping centre is
connected to the mainline rail station which serves Thameslink and
Southeast Trains. To the north of the shopping centre, bounded by
Newington Causeway and New Kent Road, is a large residential block
called Metro Central Heights built in the 1960s. The recent 43-storey
Strata residential block lies just south of the shopping centre on Walworth
Road. Opposite the Northern Line Tube station is the Metropolitan
Tabernacle which is a listed building, and which draws congregations from
across London of up to 2000. To the north is the campus of the London
South Bank University and next door, the London College of
Communication specialising in media studies. The famous landmark of the
Coronet theatre, sits next to the shopping centre. To the north near the
universities is also the internationally acclaimed Ministry of Sound
nightclub. Other local buildings of note are the Department of Health HQ in
Skipton House next to the Bakerloo Line tube.
The Heygate Estate - Built in the early 1970s, the estate forms a
significant part of the core area of Elephant & Castle. The estate
comprises 1,212 units, arranged in a series of mid-rise, deck access
concrete blocks, which suffer from a number of structural, maintenance
and management problems. The estate is now nearly empty, with
residents re-housed around the borough in new homes of their choice.
Demolition is now underway on the vacant Rodney Road and Wingrave
blocks. The dismantling of the other vacant buildings is expected to start in
2011.
Residential uses predominate in this area. To the south of the area is East
Street market. The market sells clothing, jewellery, cosmetics, household
products, confectionary, fruit and vegetables, CDs and DVDs
49
Pullens
Walworth Road
January 2011
The Pullens Estate is a conservation area and is considered to be of

special architectural or historic interest as a good example of a later
Victorian speculative development that combines both tenement housing
and workshop units, with some shops. A significant proportion of the estate
survives. The conservation area also includes Pullens Gardens, a public
park that sits between Amelia Street, within the Conservation Area, and
Thrush Street that sits outside. The area is almost entirely surrounded by
post-war housing with the exception of a light industrial estate to the east
and a primary school to the north.
The Walworth Road is a shopping high street. In retail terms the centre is
distinct from the shopping area at Elephant & Castle, and the two centres
are not integrated. Walworth Road and East Street have low building
heights and with a pleasant pedestrian friendly environment, the wellmaintained footpaths and shop fronts are conducive to a pleasant
shopping experience.
The SPD/OAPF will need to identify and assess the various character areas and
establish more defined boundaries in order to provide further context for the type and
height of development that should be promoted.
Views
There are a number of views to and across Southwark that are important to both local
people and all Londoners. These include views of landmarks and panoramas that
make Southwark and London distinctive. The designated strategic views are
identified on the Mayors London View Management Framework (LVMF) 2010. It is
important that new buildings do not block or detract from these views.
The Elephant and Castle core area lies within LVMF View 23A.1 - Townscape View:
Bridge over the Serpentine to Westminster. Paragraph 381 and 382 of the Mayors
LVMF sets out the following:
Visual Management Guidance for Background Assessment Area of View:
Development in the background of the view should not undermine the relationship
between the predominantly parkland landscape composition in the foreground and
the landmark buildings at the focus of the view in the middle ground (including the
Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey). New buildings in the background of
the view must be subordinate to the World Heritage Site.
Buildings that exceed the threshold plane of the Landmark Background
Assessment Area should preserve or enhance the viewers ability to
recognise and appreciate the Palace of Westminster.
50
January 2011
Designated viewing corridors
A number of local views have been identified through character area appraisals, from
views identified for testing through planning applications and from site visits. These
are views which are experienced by residents, locals and visitors to an area that allow
an appreciation of the local setting and character of an area.
51
January 2011
Views that will need to be considered and assessed in developing the SPD/OAPF
include:
- Strategic Views
- Views of World Heritage Sites and their setting
- Views of Listed buildings and their setting both locally and in the wider area
- Views from within or into Conservation areas
- Views from or of Open spaces including rivers and waterways
- Views of Landmarks both locally and in the wider area.
Tall buildings
The London Plan policy 2A.5 sets out the Opportunity Areas frameworks will set out a
sustainable development programme for each Opportunity Area, to be reflected in
DPDs, so as to contribute to the overall strategy of the London Plan to (amongst
others): deliver good design, including public realm, open space and, where
appropriate, tall buildings. Policy 4B.9 sets out that the Mayor will work with
boroughs and the strategic partnerships to help identify suitable locations for tall
buildings that should be included in DPDs and Sub-Regional Implementation
Frameworks. These may include parts of the Central Activities Zone and some
Opportunity Areas.
Tall buildings are those which are higher than 30 metres (or 25 metres in the Thames
Policy Area) and/or which significantly change the skyline. 30 metres is approximately
the height of a 10 storey block of flats or a 7-10 storey office building. In areas which
have a character that is dominated by low rise buildings, any building that is
significantly higher than surrounding buildings will be regarded as a tall building even
if it is lower than 30 metres.
In Southwark there has been a general focus for tall building development around the
riverfront areas, major transport interchanges, town centres and around 1960s and
70s housing estate developments. The riverfront areas of Blackfriars Road, Bankside
and London Bridge have a number of prominent buildings visible on the skyline
including Tate Modern, Kings Reach Tower, Guys Hospital Tower and New London
Bridge House.
The Shard of Glass, currently under construction, at 306 metres will form a new
pinnacle within the existing cluster of tall buildings around London Bridge station and
Guys Hospital. Blackfriars Road and Bankside have also seen a number of consents
for tall buildings applications, including No 1 and No. 20 Blackfriars Road and Neo
Bankside.
There are a number of other locations where tall buildings are found, generally in the
form of 1970s housing estates, such as the Aylesbury Estate. Other tall buildings are
located generally around the town centres, including a few taller elements at
Peckham and Canada Water.
Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area sees a number of tall commercial and
residential buildings focused around the train station. There have also been a number
of other tall building proposals which have been given consent in the area, including
the recently completed Strata Tower. Strata is a 148-metre, 43 storey, 408 flat
building located at the northern end of Walworth Road. Strata it is the tallest
residential building in London and is home to some 1,000 residents.
52
January 2011
The SPD/OAPF will need to refine the policy position for the identified character
areas and to identify suitable locations for tall and large scale buildings. Developing
the SPD/OAPF should also include a process of testing different heights and massing
in strategic and local views to understand the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
4.2.9
Locations where very tall buildings would not be appropriate

Preferred sites where very tall buildings would be appropriate
Preferred options for building height parameters on sites
Considerations of the impact of a very tall building development on sites e.g.
overshadowing, impact in particular strategic views or in local views, such as a
view from a conservation area
OPEN SPACE AND BIODIVERSITY

About 20% of Southwark is made up of open spaces that are protected by the
planning system. The open spaces are of various sizes and include parks, sports
grounds, nature reserves, allotments and woodlands. There is around 660ha of open
space in Southwark, covering a fifth of the borough. Most of the open space is
parkland, commons and playing fields, but there are a range of other types of spaces
including cemeteries, allotments, housing estate grounds and civic squares.
In Southwark formal protection has been given to over 599ha of open space. The
design of new development is also controlled to make sure enough open space is
provided. The greenness of areas is also protected and improved through
conservation areas and tree preservation and by new landscaping and planting
schemes.
There are large open spaces which are important to all of London. These are
protected by the Mayor and are called Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). These have
the highest level of protection and must be kept open in nature with development only
in exceptional cases. These include Burgess Park, Southwark Park, Dulwich Park
and Peckham Rye Common and Park. There are also other designated protected
spaces which are Borough Open Land (BOL) and Other Open Space (OOS).
Southwark has four major parks and 34 local parks. Added to this are 39 other public
green spaces and two green links (i.e. green walks). Southwarks Open Spaces
Evidence Base report 2009 looks at the supply of open spaces in the borough. The
report has identified that the supply of open spaces across Southwark is not evenly
distributed. Half of the open space is focussed in the south of the borough in the
Dulwich, Nunhead and Peckham Rye community council areas. The north of the
borough has less open space provision although there is access to two major parks,
Burgess Park and Southwark Park. The areas in the north also have fewer trees and
gardens and therefore smaller spaces are considered particularly important by local
people. The report also identifies the importance of amenity space, particularly in
areas which are densely populated and that may be deficient in other types of open
spaces.
There are numerous typologies of open space within the opportunity area. The
largest areas of open space are set out below. Some of the areas are also
designated as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC):
53
Open Space
Approximate size
Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park

Nursery Row Park
Newington Gardens Park
St. Marys Church gardens
Victory Community Park
David Copperfield gardens
Amelia Street Pullens Gardens
West Square
Falmouth Community Garden
5.6 ha
1.7 ha
1.3 ha
1.1 ha
0.4 ha
0.3 ha
0.3 ha
0.28 ha
0.2 ha
January 2011
MOL; SINC
OOS
BOL
BOL
BOL; SINC
BOL
OOS
BOL
OOS
Source: North Southwark Play and Open Space Quality Assessment 2009
A play and open spaces strategy has been prepared to cater for the projected
increase in population in the Elephant and Castle Regeneration Area27. The
evidence shows that Newington Ward has a small deficit but it is immediately
adjacent to Kennington Park which is a large open space. Faraday, East Walworth
and Chaucer Wards have a surplus provision of open space.
The overall appraisal of the area concluded:
- No overall quantitative open space deficit
- There are area pockets of deficiency relating to play space for 5-11 year olds
- Major traffic arteries and train viaducts create barriers to movement making
existing open spaces less accessible
- Existing open spaces vary in quality
- There is the opportunity to consolidate and improve open spaces within housing
estates to create more useable spaces.
Play facilities
A range of facilities are available for children and young people in Southwark parks
and include 40 fixed play sites, 6 enclosed childrens play areas catering for 214
year olds, informal games areas and a variety of sports facilities. Complementing the
above are also 200 play areas on housing estates comprising of fixed metal play
equipment, many are in need of upgrading and replacing.
Southwarks Play Strategy 2007 identified the following broad areas of need:
- Lack of play provision in the south of the borough
- Lack of play provision that is suitable for 11 -16 year olds
- Lack of transport for children and young people with special educational needs
(i.e. this is a particular barrier to accessing term-time provision)
- Lack of closed access play opportunities for disabled children, particularly those
with special educational needs, requiring a secure environment
- Lack of family-friendly play spaces
- Girls under-represented in some open access provision, including adventure
playgrounds.
A major programme to upgrade equipment and provide new play spaces on 30 sites
was completed in 2006/2007 at a cost of 750,000. To address concerns about
safety, four community warden teams patrol in the parks and open spaces.
Whilst there is currently a good supply of play spaces in the north of the borough, the
housing growth expected here will put pressure on supply and it is important that the
quality of spaces is improved as well as making sure they are located close to homes.
The wider Elephant and Castle area provides childrens and young people facilities at
the following locations:
27
Play and Open Space Strategy for Elephant and Castle area, Tibbalds, April 2009
54
Harper Road:
St Marys Churchyard:
Geraldine Mary
Harmsworth Park
Stead Street
Penton Place
Chatham Street
January 2011
An open space cluster located at the crossing between Harper

Road and Falmouth Road, comprising a series of green areas
and pedestrian links which connect to the main vehicular routes
of New Kent Road and Newington Causeway. The cluster
comprises Newington Gardens Park, Falmouth Community
Gardens, Rockingham Estate Play Association Adventure
playground and David Copperfield Gardens. The different green
areas offer a variety of public open spaces and play facilities for
the local community: 3 basketball pitches and a childrens
playground (5-11 years old); two childrens playgrounds (under 5
and 5-11 years old) and an adventure playground (12+ years
old).
This space has recently been improved. It is located in a
prominent location, immediately adjacent to the Elephant &
Castle shopping precinct.
This space provides sports pitches, such as netball, tennis and
basketball courts, football five a side, a children playground (2 to
12 years old) and informal games area.
An open space cluster is centred around Nursery Row Park.
Recent works to Nursery Row Park has improved pedestrian
connections from the local East Street Market to Rodney Road.
It provides quiet and well-designed seating area and public art
creates identity and a local landmark.
An open space cluster which combines Pullen Gardens and
smaller informal open spaces located off Penton Place. Pullen
Gardens is a larger green area with a children playground
stretching along Amelia Street.
An open space cluster formed around a green pedestrian link
between Chatam Street and Catesby Street. The footpaths are
connecting the park and the childrens playground (under 5
years old) to smaller green areas to the south along Barlow
Street and to Catesby Street playground.
Biodiversity
Birds, stag beetles, bats and amphibians are particularly at risk in Southwark. Many
species of plants and animals are protected under European and national laws,
including the Habitats Regulations 1994 and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The London Biodiversity Action Plan and Southwark Biodiversity Action Plan identify
additional species that are important.
Southwarks Biodiversity Action Plan Work for Wildlife 2006, aims to provide a
comprehensive overview of the biodiversity in Southwark and a clear direction in
ensuring it is conserved, managed and enhanced. The action plan is designed to be a
valuable toolkit that provides a unified strategic framework for managing the
Boroughs natural resources.
70 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) have been identified across
the borough as well as four Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), protected areas of land
which are set aside for ecology and provide visitors with an opportunity to connect
with nature. Together, these sites provide diverse habitats that play home to many
different species of flora and fauna, some of which are regionally or nationally scarce.
All of these habitats and species make a contribution to the quality of life experienced
by people living in Southwark.
55
January 2011
Habitat loss is a major concern in the Borough, with the constant demand for new
homes and other buildings resulting in sites being lost to development. In addition,
local wildlife is still under threat. The headline aims and objectives of the Biodiversity
Action Plan include:
- conserving and enhancing existing natural habitats and existing species within
Southwark
- increasing grassland, wetland and woodland habitat resources in Southwark
- tackling ecological threats
- increasing public awareness of ecology
- engaging children and young people and other key stakeholders and communities
- promoting national and regional priority habitats and species relevant to
Southwark.
Allotments
There are currently 17 allotment sites in Southwark that are leased to groups who are
responsible for their management. Consultation and user trends have indicated that
further allotment provision is required to meet current and future demand, with many
sites now over subscribed. As with other types of open space, it is acknowledged
that it will be very challenging to deliver additional provision, given the density of
development in the borough and competing demands for space. In order to deliver a
qualitative increase in provision, innovative solutions are likely to be required.
4.2.10 HOUSING
Over the period 1997-2006, the borough achieved an average annual net dwelling
completion rate of 1,125 dwellings. Between 2007/08 and 2016/17, Southwark had
an annual dwelling requirement of 1,630 in order to meet the target set in the London
Plan of 16,300 new homes by 2016/17. Since 2003, completion rates have increased
and have averaged 1,337 per annum between 2003 and 2006/07. In the year
2006/2007 a total net gain of 2,602 dwellings was achieved, which comprised 2,137
self-contained dwellings, 318 non-self-contained dwellings and 147 long-term vacant
dwellings brought back into occupation. The current annual housing target of 1630
new units has only been met twice in recent years28.
The council has rolled forward the current London Plan target of 1,630 net new
homes up to 2026 to cover the 15 years timeframe of the Core Strategy to give a
target of 24,450 net new homes between 2011 and 2026. Since this target was
agreed, the consultation draft replacement London Plan 2009 has set a target of
2,005 units per year.
Through the councils five year housing trajectory and Development Capacity
Assessment sites have been identified for the potential delivery of 20,115 net new
homes between 2011 and 2026 on sites of over 0.25. The take up of current
allocations, commitments and windfalls suggests that completion rates will continue,
and the target of 24,450 dwellings will be met by 2026.
The London Plan also sets minimum targets for homes and jobs to be achieved up to
2026 in identified Opportunity Areas and Areas of Intensification'. In Southwark,
these areas are Elephant and Castle (including Walworth Road), Canada Water and
Borough, Bankside and London Bridge. For the Elephant and Castle, the minimum
target for homes is 4,000; Borough, Bankside and London Bridge has a target of
1900 net new homes and Canada Water has a target of 2, 500 net new homes. The
councils Development Capacity Assessment has identified potential sites to
accommodate new housing, which are set out in Appendix 7.
28
Annual Monitoring Report 2008/2009
56
January 2011
Appendix 4g represents the housing deprivation levels throughout the borough. This
shows wards such as Surrey Docks, Rotherhithe, Chaucer, Cathedrals, Livesey, East
Walworth, Peckham and College ward in the south have higher levels of deprivation.
Heygate Estate
The Heygate Estate, built in the early 1970s, forms a significant part of the core
redevelopment area of Elephant & Castle. The estate comprises 1,212 units,
arranged in a series of mid-rise, deck access concrete blocks, which suffer from a
number of structural, maintenance and management problems. The Council resolved
in 2002 to demolish the estate and re-house the existing tenants. In order to make
way for vacant possession, the re-housing of approximately 700 residents began in
2008. The estate is now nearly empty, with residents re-housed around the borough
in new homes of their choice. There are a small number of residents who still live on
the estate and they are in discussions with the council to assist them with their move.
Demolition is now underway on the vacant Rodney Road and Wingrave blocks. The
dismantling of the other vacant buildings is expected to start in 2011.
Early Housing Programme
Sixteen early housing sites in the Elephant and Castle area were identified in the
Development Framework SPG 2004 (SPG) and the Southwark Plan as locations for
new homes to re-house the Heygate Estate tenants. Nearly all of these identified
sites have now been developed and the affordable units within the development have
been offered to tenants on the Heygate Estate.
Affordable Housing
Southwark has one of the highest amounts of affordable housing in the whole
country, with 45% of the 123,948 dwellings in the borough being affordable. However,
there is still a shortage of affordable homes in Southwark as identified by the
Strategic Housing Market Assessment and the Housing Requirement Study. The
need is for both social rented and intermediate housing. Based on the amount of
housing expected to be delivered between 2011 and 2026, new development will
provide 8,558 net new affordable homes which equates to 35% affordable housing on
all sites over 10 units.
Between April 2006 - March 2007, 743 net completions were achieved, which
accounts for 40% of all homes built over this period. This figure was below the
London Plans 50% target for affordable housing provision, however, dwellings that
were built during the last monitoring period may have been approved under the last
UDPs affordable housing policy which set a target for 25%. Improved affordable
housing results will not be seen for a few years, in relation to the London Plans
increased affordable housing target for the Borough.
In the year 2006/2007, 16% of completed affordable housing units were intermediate
tenure and 24% were social tenure. However, in relation to the UDPs target split of
tenures, some areas of the borough have experienced a larger proportion of social
rented housing being built and this has created a disproportionate tenure mix. For
example, Peckham has received a large percentage of social rented housing (85% of
89 net units built). The target within the UDP for this area of the Borough is 30%
social rented and 70% intermediate.
57
January 2011
Type of accommodation
The size of new dwellings in the borough has seen an increase in the percentage of
one and two bedroom dwellings from 30% in 2005/06 to 40% in 2006/0729. This trend
conflicts with the councils target of increasing the number of three or more bedroom
dwellings. In the past three years between 8 and 12% of all new homes have been
delivered as family sized housing (3 plus bedrooms).
The Strategic Housing Market Assessment and Housing Requirement Study identify
that there is a need for more family housing in the borough across all tenures. Of the
boroughs existing households 34% are 3 bedroom plus, 35% are 2 bedrooms, 26%
are 1 bedrooms and 5% are bedsits. As a result of this mix many families are forced
to live in overcrowded, unsuitable homes.
In Elephant & Castle the data for the Walworth Community council area shows that
owner occupation forms only a minority of the housing stock in the area. Only 15% of
all properties across the area are owned outright or owned with a mortgage with over
59% of the stock socially rented and the remaining 26% in the private rented-sector.
Flats account for the majority of the stock at over 80%30 with 16% terraced housing
and less that 1% of the stock comprising detached and semi-detached properties.
A total of around 17% of all households across Walworth live in overcrowded
conditions, including around 60% of households in the social rented sector and 16%
from the owner occupied sector.
Southwark has the second largest number of student homes in London with a further
979 new student bedrooms in the pipeline. There are several student accommodation
buildings in the Elephant & Castle area.
- 232 Julian Markham House 232 bedspaces
- 120-132 Walworth Road - 232 bedspaces
- McClaren House - 620 bed spaces
- Dante Road - 224 bed spaces
- Walworth Road - 226 bed spaces
- To the north of the ECOA, on Borough High Street - 293 bed spaces
- Permission has also been granted for either 243 or 247 student bed spaces on
Elephant Road.
29
30
Southwark Housing Requirements Study 2009

Southwark Housing Requirements Survey 2008
58
January 2011
4.2.11 TRAVEL
Transport for Londons (TfL) feasibility study into the long term transport needs of the
area was completed in 2009 and identified a number of necessary transport
improvements required to help support the regeneration of the Elephant & Castle.
These included:
- Major capacity improvements to the Northern line ticket hall at Elephant & Castle
Underground station
- Additional cycling and walking facilities throughout the area
- Increased bus priority measures and interchange facilities
- Further road improvements and changes to the Northern roundabout in Elephant
& Castle.
Walking
Currently, 12% of Southwark residents walk to work31, which is similar to other inner
London boroughs. Given the business centre in the north of the borough this area
experiences a high proportion of commuter walking as well as walking as part of the
journey. There are two London strategic walking routes that pass through Southwark:
- The Jubilee Walkway
- The Thames Path National Trail
It is not possible to cross Elephant & Castle at street level, as barriers have been
erected between the northbound and southbound carriageways. Access between the
two roads is via a subway, which runs under the southern end of Elephant & Castle.
Cycling
The rise in the number of people cycling in London has been significant, with a 117%
increase on Londons major roads since 2000. Forty per cent of households in
London have access to a bike, however one in five of these are unused32. Around
28.5% of households in Southwark have at least one bicycle with more households
storing their bicycle inside their property33. The Mayor has also recently introduced a
central London cycle hire scheme, with around 6,000 bikes for hire in central London.
The Thames cycle route, which is route 4 of the national cycle network, travels along
the Thames River from the Rotherhithe peninsula through Bermondsey and London
Bridge to Lambeth. The Council has introduced small schemes in the borough to
support the cycling network.
Within Elephant & Castle, a new layout has been completed which includes a new
entrance for cyclists coming from Content Street. The works included alterations to
layout of the junction, carriageway resurfacing, streetscape enhancements, the
introduction of trees, benches, new and improved lighting and additional signing.
Public transport
The coverage and accessibility of public transport varies significantly across the
borough. Public Transport Accessibility Levels (PTALs) are a method of assessment
utilised by Transport for London (TfL) and the majority of London boroughs to
produce a consistent London wide public transport access mapping facility. PTALs
assess the level of service, walk and wait times to produce indices of accessibility to
the public transport network. These levels are often shown as contours on a local
map. Appendix 4h provides a PTAL map of the borough.
31
ONS Census Data 2001

Cycling revolution London 2010, Mayor of London
33
Southwark Housing Requirement Study 2008
32
59
January 2011
Bus services
Bus services cover a large part of the borough and provide the main public
transport provision in areas away from rail stations. The network is more
extensive in the northern half of the borough, which is served by approximately 60
bus services (including 11 24-hour services), and 15 night bus services that run
through Southwark. These are run on behalf of TfL by 11 different companies, run
on 42km of bus lanes and serve 650 bus stops34.
Elephant & Castle is a significant transport interchange, with 24 bus services
travelling through the area, 8 of which terminate there. The Elephant and Castle
has more bus routes passing through it than anywhere else in Southwark. The
bus stops for these services are widely distributed around all of the approach
roads to Elephant & Castle. However, the majority of bus services use either the 6
bus stops located between the shopping centre and the London College of
Printing, or the 4 bus stops on the New Kent Road.
The Underground network

Four different underground lines run through the borough: the Northern, Bakerloo,
Jubilee and East London Lines. The underground network is concentrated in the
north of the borough where there are nine underground stations: London Bridge,
Borough, Elephant & Castle, Kennington, Surrey Quays, Rotherhithe, Southwark,
Bermondsey and Canada Water.
The Jubilee line is capable of carrying 39,000 passengers per hour. The line
carries over 405,000 passengers each weekday and requires 47 trains to meet
demand for both AM and PM peaks. The Southwark section of the Jubilee line
(westbound), experiences significant crowding at peak times. During the AM
peak, the line is classed as crowded between Canada Water and Bermondsey,
rising to very crowded to the west of Bermondsey Station. The Mayor plans to
increase the capacity of the Jubilee line by the end of 201235.
The Northern line carries over 660,000 passengers each weekday and requires
91 trains to meet demand for both AM and PM peaks. The Mayor plans to
increase the capacity of the Northern line by 201236. The Southwark section of the
Northern line (northbound) experiences severe crowding during the AM peak.
The Bakerloo line carries around 300,000 passengers each weekday and the
Mayor plans to upgrade the line to include new energy efficient and high capacity
rolling stock and signalling by 202037. The Southwark section of the Bakerloo line
(northbound) is classed as un-crowded during the AM peak.
The East London Line has recently been extended. Phase 1 of the project
involved the extension of the original line at its northern and southern ends. The
northern extension runs from Whitechapel to Highbury & Islington, connecting
with the North London Line. A full service began in May 2010. The core section of
the line, between Dalston and Surrey Quays, is served by 16 trains per hour. New
Cross Gate to Sydenham has 8 trains per hour. The remainder of the line is
served by four trains per hour.
Phase 2 of the project will extend the line from Surrey Quays on to the Network
Rail Inner South London Line. Trains on this route will run to Clapham Junction
via Queens Road Peckham, Peckham Rye, Denmark Hill, Clapham High Street
34

Majors Transport Strategy 2010
36
Majors Transport Strategy 2010
37
Ibid
35
60
January 2011
and Wandsworth Road. Funding for this phase was announced in February 2009.
The line is expected to be open by the start of the 2012 Summer Olympics in July
2012 with trains running every 15 minutes. A total of 30 stations will serve the new
line by 2012.
-
Underground Stations
The underground stations at Elephant and Castle are currently deficient in terms
of the standards to which modern underground stations are designed. In each
ticket hall at Elephant & Castle, access from ground level to platform level is
achieved by using a combination of lifts and short flights of steps, rather than
escalators and lifts to platform level for mobility-impaired users. Three lifts are
provided in the Bakerloo Line station and two in the Northern Line station.
Staircases from the surface are also available in each station. Interchange
between the two stations is via a passageway connecting the northbound
Bakerloo Line platform to the southbound Northern Line platform. This puts
additional pressure on these platforms, as they must accommodate not only
passengers boarding/alighting at that platform, but also passengers transferring
between the Northern and Bakerloo Lines.
The TfL Interchange team has been undertaking a modeling exercise to appraise
the impacts of anticipated development within the Elephant & Castle Opportunity
Area on both the Northern and Bakerloo Line Underground stations.
The council is seeking to secure construction of a new underground station with
escalators within the rebuilt shopping centre. Significant developer contributions
will be needed for this project in partnership with London Underground, although
savings can be made if the station is rebuilt at the same time as the shopping
centre.
Rail
There are 11 surface rail stations in the borough: London Bridge, Elephant and
Castle, South Bermondsey, Queens Road Peckham, Peckham Rye, Denmark
Hill, Nunhead, East Dulwich, North Dulwich, West Dulwich, and Sydenham Hill.
Whilst the number of stations may give the impression of a comprehensive
network, there are two major gaps in the network within Southwark. One is
centred on the Burgess Park area (from Camberwell to Bermondsey) and the
other is centred on the area between Peckham Rye Park and Dulwich Park.
London Bridge station is located on the edge of the Central Business District with
the majority of passengers needing to interchange onto other services on arrival.
This leads to significant congestion around the station, for interchange onto
Underground services, buses and taxis. The capacity of the routes on the
approach to London, particularly into London Bridge Station, is limited by the
physical and financial constraints. Peckham Rye is identified as a strategic
interchange and as having the potential to relieve interchange capacity pressures
at Londons rail termini and reduce travel times.
The mainline rail station at Elephant & Castle serves Thameslink and
Southeastern Trains. Thameslink trains run from Brighton to Bedford, whilst
Southeastern Trains operate throughout south east London and Kent. The station
is managed by Thameslink and can be accessed from either the shopping centre
or from Elephant Road. In each case it is necessary to climb stairs to access the
platforms, as the station is on a viaduct.
61
January 2011
Interchange Services
There are high levels of interchange taking place at Elephant & Castle,
particularly between bus services. In the morning peak over 2,100 bus-bus
interchange movements take place, rising to over 2,800 in the evening peak.
There is also a considerable volume of interchange between buses and
underground services. In the morning peak, 630 underground users travelled by
bus for the first leg of their journey. Additionally, 287 passengers arriving on the
underground continued their journey by bus. In the evening peak, undergroundbus interchange is even higher overall, with 786 passengers arriving by
underground transferring onto bus services, and 492 passengers using the
underground having previously travelled to Elephant & Castle by bus 38. Some
interchange occurs between underground and mainline rail, but to a lesser extent
than underground/bus interchange.
The existing road network provides a severe barrier to movement, and makes
interchange between certain stops/services difficult. It is very difficult to cross at
ground level, and so interchanging passengers are forced to travel through the
subways running under the roundabout. These are neither direct nor pleasant to
use.
Given the volume of public transport services travelling through Elephant &
Castle, combined with the fact that the distance between many of the different
stations/stops is relatively small, it is clear that the potential exists for Elephant
and Castle to expand in its role as a major London interchange. However, there
are clearly many obstacles to be overcome, such as:
- Unpleasant, car-dominated environment;
- Area is perceived as being unsafe;
- Few direct routes between public transport nodes;
- Inconvenient and incomprehensible layout.
River travel
There are eight piers on the south bank of the Thames within Southwarks
boundaries. These piers serve varying functions including public passenger
transfer, private passenger trips. Riverboat services call at London Bridge, Hilton
Docklands Nelson Dock Pier and Greenland Pier in Southwark (temporarily
closed).
Many of the large new economic drivers for London are located in the east with
the majority of these lying north of the river (Canary Wharf; Excel; City Airport, the
Olympic Park). Opportunities for travelling to these new destinations from some
areas south of the river such as North Bexley and parts of Greenwich are
restricted. This growth coupled with fare changes and frequency improvements
has meant that the Thames Clippers service has experienced a surge in demand
with passenger numbers more than doubling between 2007 and 2008. In 2009,
pay-as-you-go technology was introduced on certain River services including 10%
off single tickets with Oyster pay-as-you-go on Thames Clippers.
38
A development framework for Elephant and Castle Public Transport Interchange (Dec 2003)
62
January 2011
Streets
There are approximately 415km of road in Southwark, 23km of which form part of the
Transport for London Road Network (TLRN). TLRN roads are not managed or
maintained directly by Southwark Council but fall under the control of Transport for
London (TfL). Southwarks road network can generally be characterised by the main
east west and north south routes that are utilised, not only by local traffic, but a high
level of through traffic, seeking access to central London and routes along the south
side of the river.
Car ownership is low in the Elephant & Castle area, with almost 73% of households in
Walworth Ward not having access to a car or van, compared to an average of 61% of
households across the whole of Southwark.39 A combination of both local and through
trips made by private vehicles has resulted in many parts of the road network
becoming heavily congested. The borough experiences congestion and delay in key
areas including access to the Rotherhithe Tunnel, Tower Bridge, Peckham High
Street and Old Kent Road. Londons projected growth will add extra pressures on the
highway network and the limited capacity in central London. Congestion levels are
predicted to worsen across London and this may lead to more congestion for central
London as well.
The Council is pursuing overall traffic reduction through managing the demand for
travel. Examples of initiatives include:
- Management of on-street parking through Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs)
- Management of off street car parks
- Introduction of car clubs
- Supporting low-car and car-free developments, including restriction of on-street
parking permits for new developments
- Encouraging walking and cycling as alternatives to car use through a number of
initiatives.
The conversion of the Elephant & Castle southern roundabout to a signaled junction
has commenced as part of the programme of improvements to the area. The new
road layout is expected to be finished early in 2011. As traffic lights are being
installed, the subways around the southern roundabout will be filled in and replaced
with surface crossings, providing easier crossing options for local residents. New
trees will be planted, and railings and other unnecessary clutter related to the
subways removed.
Works include putting in new cycle lanes and advanced stop lines for cyclists at
junctions. Paved areas next to the roads are also being widened to provide more
space for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate the junction quickly and safely.
Freight distribution
The main driver of the growth in freight traffic is the significant population growth
forecast over the next ten years, and the associated increase in demand for goods
and essential materials, for example in the construction industry. Increased
population and employment brings with it the requirement for additional food and
services to support this activity.
Road freight currently makes up 89 per cent of Londons freight by tonnage and is
expected to grow to meet the demand from London and the rest of the country. The
number of vans (Light Goods Vehicles, LGVs) is forecast to grow by 30 per cent
between 2008 and 2031, with a lower level of growth in Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV)
activity40.
39
40
Southwark Housing Requirements Survey 2008

63
5.0
SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES
5.1
Sustainability Issues
January 2011
QUESTION 3
Please review the sustainability issues set out below. If you consider any
issues have been left out or if any should not have been included please
indicate in your response.
The SA of the Core Strategy and subsequent consultation identified a range of

significant sustainability issues for Southwark, based on a review of relevant policies,
strategies and programmes and a review of the baseline data. The SPD will draw on
the information gathered for the Core Strategy SA in relation to the key social,
economic and environmental issues that face the borough and that need to be taken
into consideration in the development of the guidance. The key issues identified
include:

Relatively high levels of deprivation

Employment inequalities and employment opportunities
Education, skills and training deprivation
Health inequalities and noise nuisances
Need to promote equality, diversity and social cohesion
High levels of crime and fear of crime
Energy efficiency and use of renewables
Poor air quality
Need to minimise waste arisings and increase recycling rates
Need for sustainable use of water resources
Protection of landscape features and designated sites and need to address
contaminated land issues
Ensuring a high quality of design in new developments
Need to preserve and enhance built heritage and the archaeological environment
Minimising flood risk and improve the quality of controlled waters within the
borough
Protecting and enhancing biodiversity
Providing everyone with a decent and affordable home to live in
Need to improve accessibility by public transport and minimise the need to travel
by car
Need to ensure that there is social, physical and green infrastructure capacity for
existing and future needs
Need to provide for and support small businesses
Very tall building issues
Travelling by tube
64
5.2
January 2011
Elephant and Castle

Specific issues that will need to be considered in the development of options for the
SPD/OAPF of Elephant & Castle include:
Offices and Employment

- The need for local office space
- Needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- Opportunities for large office space
- Core strategy targets
- Location of offices and employment (concentration versus dispersion)
- Types of offices and employment
- The potential for hotels
- Provision of Markets
Retail and Leisure
- The type and mix of retail and leisure provision
- The relationship with other centres
- Viability
- Location and phasing
- Relationship of Shopping centre and Walworth Road 1 big centre or 2
separate centres
- Amount and location of affordable space
- Markets
- Accessibility
Social Infrastructure
- Health - need for an extended health care centre
- Schools new primary provision may be needed in the future
- Libraries
- Culture and tourism
- Community Space including places of worship and the use of informal spaces
- Police
- Concentration versus dispersion
- Co-location and flexibility
Physical Infrastructure
- Energy district network/Code for Sustainable Homes/BREEAM
- Water reducing demand for potable water/flood resistant design/ SUDS/
sewerage
- Waste minimisation and management - reduce/reuse/recycle/recover
Green Infrastructure
- Open spaces and public realm
- Play and amenity space
- Green links and corridors
- Greening buildings roofs/facades
- Allotments
Housing
- Amount of housing/housing targets
- Split type/tenure, need for family homes
- Affordable housing
- Student housing
- Capacity versus deliverability
- Improving council and RSL stock to be warm, safe and dry
- Decent homes standards
- Amenity space
- Competing uses
- Location density and distribution/access to transport
65
5.2
January 2011
Transport
- Public transport provision buses/rail/underground/accessibility/capacity
- Walking and cycling routes/facilities
- Roads congestion/parking/pollution
- Phasing of development
Tall buildings/Built environment
- London Plan designation as appropriate for tall buildings
- Changes since the 2004 strategy
- Alterations to the London View Management Framework
- Conservation Areas and sensitive receptors
- Locations and height impact on microclimate/views/public realm/existing
development
- Density and distribution of development
- Very tall buildings issue
Phasing
- Impact of phasing on deliverability/viability of proposals
- Impact on area/community/businesses
The Sustainability Objectives

A set of sustainability objectives was identified in the SA of the Core Strategy, which
relate to the strategic vision for the borough. The objectives reflect the current social,
economic and environmental issues affecting Southwark and are linked with the aims
of the Community Strategy Southwark 2016. The objectives set out below were
presented in the Scoping Report of the Core Strategy. Comments were received on
the objectives during the consultation process, which were taken into account and as
a result an additional objective, number 8 and 18, were added. It is proposed that
these objectives will be used in the SA of the SPD/OAPF unless any further
alterations are recommended during the consultation process.
Sustainability Objectives
SDO 1
SDO 2
SDO 3
SDO 4
SDO 5
SDO 6
SDO 7
SDO 8
SDO 9
SDO10
SDO11
SDO12
SDO13
SDO14
SDO15
SDO16
SDO17
SDO18
To tackle poverty and encourage wealth creation

To improve the education and skill of the population
To improve the health of the population
To reduce the incidence of crime and the fear of crime
To promote social inclusion, equality, diversity and community cohesion
To mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change
To improve the air quality in Southwark
To minimise the ambient noise environment
To reduce waste and maximise use of waste arising as a resource
To encourage sustainable use of water resources
To maintain and enhance the quality of land and soils
To protect and enhance the quality of landscape and townscape
To conserve and enhance that quality of landscape and townscape
To protect and improve open spaces, green corridors and biodiversity
To reduce vulnerability to flooding
To provide everyone with the opportunity to live in a decent home
To promote sustainable transport and minimise the need to travel by car
To provide the necessary infrastructure to support existing and future
development
66
January 2011
6.0
THE SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL FRAMEWORK
6.1
What is the SA Framework

The Sustainability Appraisal Framework provides a way in which the sustainability
effects of the plan can be described, analysed and compared. The framework
provides a set of sustainability objectives and indicators to be used when undertaking
the appraisal. The indicators should be measurable to provide a way of checking
whether the objectives are being met, for example, the number of jobs created. The
SA framework was developed in the SA of the Core Strategy and will be used in the
SA of the SPD. Some additional indicators have since been added and these will
continue to be reviewed over time in the monitoring of the Local Development
Framework.
QUESTION 4
4
6.2
Do you think that the objectives, questions and indicators set out in the
table are appropriate? Are there any others objectives, questions and
indicators that you think we have missed out? If so, please provide details
in your response.
The SA Framework
Sustainability
Issue
Sustainability Objective and

Questions
Sustainability Indicators
Economy,
Regeneration
and Employment
Opportunities
SDO 1:
To tackle poverty and
encourage wealth creation
1.1
1.2
Will it improve the range of job

opportunities?
Will it help to diversify the economy?
Will it encourage the retention and /or
growth of local employment?
Will it close the gaps between
equalities target groups compared
with the National average?
Will it encourage business start-ups
and support the growth of
businesses?
1.3
SDO2:
To improve the education and
skill of the population
2.1
Will it provide opportunities to improve

the skills and qualifications of the
population, particularly for young
people and adults?
Will it help improve employee
education/training programmes?
Will it help reduce skills shortages?
Will it help to reduce the disparity in
educational achievement between
different ethnic groups?
2.2
Education
67
1.4
1.5
2.3
2.4
Employment land available

Change in VAT registered
businesses
Numbers and % jobs in
Southwark by sector
Southwark compared to
London (broken down by
micro, small and medium
sized businesses)
Numbers of unemployed/
numbers receiving benefit (by
sector)
Indices of multiple
deprivation; Education
deprivation
% of the population with
higher education
qualifications
% of population with no
qualifications
Proportion of resident pupils
attending Southwark schools
achieving 5+ A-Cs including
English and Maths split by
equality group
January 2011
Sustainability
Issue

Questions
Health
SDO3:
To improve the health of the
population
3.1
Will it promote and facilitate healthy

living and active lifestyles?
Will it reduce health inequalities?
Will it promote non-polluting forms of
transport?
Will it improve access to health and
social care/treatment?
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
Crime and
Community Safety
SDO4:
To reduce the incidence of
crime and the fear of crime
Will it improve safety and security?
Will it incorporate measures to reduce
crime and the fear of crime, including
anti-social behaviour?
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Social Inclusion
and Community
Cohesion
SDO5:
To promote social inclusion,
equality, diversity and
community cohesion
Will it help support voluntary sector
and promote volunteering?
Will it support active community
engagement?
Will it support a diversity of lifestyles?
Will it address equalitys groups?
Mitigation of and
adaption to
climate change
SDO6:
To mitigate and adapt to the
impacts of climate change
Will it reduce consumption of energy?
Will it use renewable sources of
energy?
Will it help local people cope with
hotter drier summers and warmer
wetter winters?
Will it mitigate against the urban heat
island effect?
68
5.1
5.2
5.3
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
Health life expectancy at

age 65 by equality group
Indices of multiple
deprivation: Health
deprivation
Rate of obesity in children
Mortality from cancer, heart
disease and stroke
Incapacity benefit for
mental illness
Distance to GP premises
from home
Admissions to hospital per
1,000 people
Indices of multiple
deprivation: Crime
deprivation
Numbers of crime per
annum
Percentage of residents
who feel fairly safe or very
safe outside during the
day/night
Reports of anti-social
behaviour
Proportion of people who
think they can influence
decision-making in their
locality
Employment/Skills/Health/
Homelessness waiting list
by equality group
Satisfaction with area
CO2 emissions and energy

consumption (break down
by source/type)
No. of extreme weather
events by type
No. of hospital admissions
as a result of extreme
weather
SAP rating of boroughs
housing stock
January 2011
Sustainability
Issue

Questions
Air Quality
SDO7:
To improve the air quality in
Southwark
7.1
Will it help to reduce emissions of

PM10, NO2?
Will it encourage a reduction in
amount and length of journeys made
by car?
Noise
SDO8:
To minimise the (impact of)
ambient noise environment
7.2
7.3
8.1
8.2
Will it help to minimise the ambient

noise environment?
Will it improve the soundscape of the
area?
Will it introduce new noise sources to
the area?
Waste
Management
SDO9:
To reduce waste and maximise
use of waste arising as a
resource
Will it promote the reduction of waste
during construction / operation?
Will it minimise the production of
household and commercial waste?
Will it promote sustainable processing
of waste?
Water Resources
9.2
9.3
10.1
SDO10:
To encourage sustainable use
of water resources
Will it encourage reuse of water?
Will it maximise use of rainwater or
other local water supplies?
Will it reduce discharges to surface
and groundwater?
Soil and Land

Quality
9.1
SDO11:
To maintain and enhance the
quality of land and soils
Will it encourage the remediation of
land identified as potentially
contaminated?
Will it prevent further contamination of
soils?
69
10.2
Number of days of high

pollution
Annual average
concentrations and number
of hourly exceedences of
nitrogen dioxide in air
Annual average
concentrations and number
of daily exceedences of
PM10 in air
Number of Priority Areas in
the Borough.
The number of persons
affected by a noise level
above 55 dB(A) Lden
Municipal waste land-filled

(tonnes)
Residual household waste
per household (tonnes)
Percentage of municipal
waste sent for reuse,
recycling and composting
Average domestic and

commercial potable water
consumption (l/head/day)
Water quality measure
11.1
Number of contaminated
sites
11.2
Number of contaminated
sites not remediated
January 2011
Sustainability
Issue

Questions
Quality in Design
SDO12:
To protect and enhance the
quality of landscape and
townscape
12.1
12.2
12.3
Will it have a negative impact on

important strategic/local views?
Will it improve the quality of public
spaces and street?
Will it improve the relationship
between different buildings, streets,
squares, parks and waterways and
other spaces that make up the public
domain?
Conservation of
the Historic
Environment
SDO13:
To conserve and enhance the
historic environment and
cultural assets
Will it involve the loss or damage to
historic buildings and remains and
their setting?
Will it improve the historic value of
places?
Will it promote the historic
environment and also contribute to
better understanding of the historic
environment?
13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4
13.5
13.6
Open Space and

Biodiversity
SDO14:
To protect and improve open
spaces, green corridors and
biodiversity
Will it encourage development on
previously developed land?
Will it improve the quality and range
of open spaces?
Will it improve access to open space
and nature?
Will it improve the quality and range
of habitat for wildlife?
Will it avoid harm to protected and
priority species?
70
14.1
14.2
14.3
Satisfaction with local area

People who can identify
with their local area
Building for Life
Assessments
Amount of Southwark
covered by Conservation
Area or APZ
Numbers of heritage assets
in the borough on the
English Heritage at Risk
Register
Changes in numbers of
listed buildings
Number of scheduled
ancient monuments at risk
Number of conservation
areas at risk
Number of conservation
areas with up-to-date
appraisal/ management
plans
Change in quantity of open
space (ha)
Resident satisfaction with
open space
Change in SINCS and
LNRs
14.4
Change in quality of open

space (ha)
14.5
14.6
14.7
Open space deficiency

Deficiency in access to
nature
Number /types of habitats
14.8
No. of green roofs/facades
January 2011
Sustainability
Issue

Questions
Flood Risk
SDO15:
To reduce vulnerability to
flooding
15.1
Will it minimise the risk of and from

flooding?
Will it protect and improve flood
defences and allow them to be
maintained?
Housing
SDO16:
To provide everyone with the
opportunity to live in a decent
home
Will it contribute towards meeting
housing need, in particular affordable
housing and family homes?
Will it improve the supply and range
of housing?
Will it contribute towards improving
the quality of homes and the living
environment?
Will it reduce overcrowding?
15.2
16.1
16.2
16.3
16.4
16.5
16.6
16.7
Sustainable
Transport
SDO17:
To increase walking, cycling,
public transport and reduce car
journeys
Will it reduce car use?
Will it promote walking and cycling?
Will it reduce the number and length
of journeys?
Will it improve public transport?
Will it reduce road traffic accidents?
Infrastructure
SDO18:
To provide the necessary
infrastructure to support
existing and future
development
Will it provide enough social
infrastructure ?
17.1
17.2
17.3
71
Amount of homes in the

borough (by type/tenure)
Percentage of households
living in temporary
accommodation
No. of households in
housing need
No. of households on
housing register
No. of households
unintentionally homeless
and in priority need
Income to average house
price ratio
No. of families living in
overcrowded properties
Estimated traffic flows per
annum (mil.vehicle km)
The number of people killed
or seriously injured in road
traffic collisions
Proportion of personal
travel made on each mode
of transport overall and by
equalities groups
18.1
No. and type of existing

infrastructure (social,
physical and green)
18.2
Capacity of existing
physical and green)
18.3
No. and type of proposed

physical and green)
18.4
Capacity of future
physical and green)
Will it provide enough physical

infrastructure?
Will it provide enough green
infrastructure?
Number of flooding
incidents (including sewer
flooding)
Condition of flood defences
6.3
January 2011
Comparison of the SA Objectives
6.3.1 As part of the sustainability appraisal, a comparison of the sustainability objectives

was undertaken to check if the objectives are compatible with one another.
Key
positive impact
no significant impact
uncertain impact
72
January 2011
6.3.2 The compatibility of SDO 6: To mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change
and SDO 9: To reduce waste and maximise use of waste arising as a resource with
SDO12: To protect and enhance the quality of landscape and townscape and
SDO13: To conserve and enhance the historic environment and cultural assets score
an uncertain result as the impact will depend upon implementation. The careful
application of renewable technologies and waste disposal facilities will be needed to
ensure that quality in design or the setting of the historic environment is not
compromised.
6.3.3 An uncertain impact is also given for SDO 18: To promote the necessary
infrastructure to support existing and future development against the following
objectives:
SDO12: To protect and enhance the quality of landscape and townscape
SDO13: To conserve and enhance the historic environment and cultural assets
SDO14: To protect and improve open spaces, green corridors and biodiversity
The impact will depend on the provision of new infrastructure being implemented in a
sensitive manner, although such impacts are likely to be short term and temporary in
nature. Suitable mitigation measures will need to be identified to offset any adverse
impacts.
73
7. 0
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
7.1
Evaluating the likely significant effects of the draft SPD
January 2011
Question 5
Do you think the SA report structure is appropriate? Please let us know if
you think we have omitted any relevant sections.
The likely significant effects of the draft SPD will be examined in the Sustainability
Appraisal and documented in the Sustainability Report. The structure of the
Sustainability Report will accord with the structure set out in Government guidance as
detailed below:
Structure of Report
Non-technical
summary
Methodology used
Background
SA objectives,
baseline and context
Plan issues and

alternatives
Information to Include
Summary of the SA process
Summary of the likely significant effects of the plan
Statement on the difference the process has made to
date
How to comment on the report
Approach adopted in the SA
When was the SA carried out
Who carried out the SA
Who was consulted, when and how
Difficulties encountered in compiling information or
carrying out the assessment
Purpose of the SA and SA report
Objectives of the plan
Compliance with the SEA Directive and Planning
Regulations
Links to other international, national, regional and local
plans and programmes, and relevant sustainability
objectives including how these have been taken into
account
Description of baseline characteristics and predicted
future baseline
Sustainability issues and problems
Limitations of the data, assumptions made etc.
The SA framework - SA objectives, targets and
indicators
Main strategic alternatives considered and how they
were identified
Comparison of the significant sustainability effects of the
alternatives
How sustainability issues were considered in choosing
the preferred strategic alternatives
Other alternatives considered and why they were
rejected
Any proposed mitigation measures
74
Plan policies
Implementation
7.2
January 2011
Significant sustainability effects of the policies and

proposals
How sustainability problems were considered in
developing the policies and proposals
Proposed mitigation measures
Uncertainties and risks
Links to other tiers of plans and programmes and the
project level (environmental impact assessment, design
guidance etc.)
Proposals for monitoring
Method of Assessment
The plan will be assessed against the SA framework to establish the likely significant
effects of the policies. The results will be scored as follows with a commentary to
explain the reason for the results:
Key
Major positive
Minor positive
xx
Major negative
Minor Negative
Uncertain
No significant Impact
The results will also be assessed in terms of short, medium and long term effects (5,
10 and 15 years) including permanent or temporary effects. The SEA directive also
requires the assessment of secondary or indirect, cumulative and synergistic effects.
7.3
Next steps
The next stage will be the generation of options for the draft SPD, based on the
sustainability issues identified during the scoping stage. These options will then be
assessed against the SA framework as set out in Chapter 6. The most sustainable
options will form the basis of the draft SPD, which will be assessed in detail through
the sustainability appraisal.
75

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ELEPHANT & CASTLE

SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT /

OPPORTUNITY AREA PLANNING FRAMEWORK

SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL SCOPING REPORT

London Borough of Southwark

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

PROPOSED TIMETABLE FOR CONSULTATION AND HOW TO

January 2011 - February 2011

July 2011 September 2011

HOW TO COMMENT ON THIS REPORT

All comments must be received by 5pm on 17 February 2011.

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

The London Borough of Southwark is preparing a draft supplementary planning

The Local Development Framework is made up of a collection of Development Plan

Local Development Scheme a timetable for the preparation of the LDF,

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

Why do we need to carry out a Sustainability Appraisal?

Strategic Environmental Assessment

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

It is important to note that the SPD/OAPF will provide guidance to supplement

Structure of the Report

A Background to Sustainability Appraisals is given

This section sets out the legislative framework

Identifies the links to relevant plans, policies &

This section shows the sustainability issues and

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

Questions / Issues to respond to

Other Plans & Programmes

Baseline Data Topics

Key Sustainability Issues

Sustainability Appraisal Report

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

What are the objectives of the SPD?

2.1.1 The proposed objectives of the SPD/OAPF are to:

Purpose of the SPD

2.2.1 The need to prepare the SPD/OAPF is driven by a number of factors:

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

Guidance on built development needs to be reviewed in the light of the London

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

What are the stages of the SPD/OAPF production?

September 2010 - January 2011

February - April 2011

Draft SPD/OAPF sent to

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

The steps involved in undertaking a sustainability appraisal (SA), which incorporates

In accordance with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

Stages in Sustainability Appraisal

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Stage

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

CONTEXT AND BASELINE INFORMATION

Links to other policies, plans and programmes

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

Wards falling within the Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area1

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF

SA Scoping Report: Elephant and Castle SPD/OAPF