What's happening in Southwark

Open House London showcases great design in every London borough. Click here to find out what you can see in Southwark this year.

Below, you can find out all about the local context of this borough's architecture, areas undergoing change and projects under construction.

In recent years Southwark has undergone great transformation and is one of London’s most dynamic boroughs. Currently 40% of the borough is under regeneration and developments are valued at £4 billion. The unique area of Bankside has become a cultural hub and along with the areas of Borough and London Bridge is undergoing a sustained period of change.

Elsewhere the Aylesbury Estate, north of Burgess Park is undergoing a transformation that will take 15-20 years. At 28.5 hectares the estate is home to over 7,500 people. The improvements will create mixed tenure homes of very high quality and with an emphasis on family homes. There is also a proposal for a new school, New School Aylesbury while Michael Faraday Primary School and Walworth Academy are being re-built. Also encapsulated in the Aylesbury Area Action Plan are proposals for improved public transport, a better area for walking and cycling, more healthcare and community facilities and a better range of shops. The first phase is already under construction.

In conjunction with the Hyde Group, Southwark Council is regenerating the Bermondsey Spa area. A high quality development it will result in over 2,000 new homes with more than 40% representing affordable housing. The area will also benefit from excellent community and health services. A One Stop Shop, new council offices, new shops, new offices for Southwark Primary Care Trust are all part of the development as well as 2.5 hectares of landscaped open space. Further to this there will be a new pharmacy and 16 GP surgery places in two new health centres.

A futuristic project is the Canada Water Area Action Plan. The plan sets out a vision culminating in 2020 and will aim to deliver a vibrant new town centre for Rotherhithe. One to watch out for is the new library building designed by Piers Gough which will partly overhang the Canada Water basin. Southwark council has also embarked on a £1.5billion, 55-acre programme for Elephant and Castle, which also looks forward to 2020. The scheme will create a new pedestrianised town centre, Market Square and thousands of new homes and jobs as well as opening up five new green spaces.


 

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