New start for troubled Elephant plans

The plans, called A Fresh Start for Elephant & Castle, were agreed by the council's Executive Committee and the detailed work will begin in September.

The council will look at new, more effective ways of engaging local residents to make sure their concerns are taken into account at every stage. The council acknowledged that communication with local people had not always been effective in the past.

Cllr Catherine Bowman, Southwark's Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said: "The Elephant & Castle redevelopment is a critically important project not just for Southwark but for the whole of London.

"It's not just about physical change, such as providing the higher quality homes that people want; it's about improving schools and generating jobs for local people. It's about creating opportunity, encouraging enterprise and making Elephant & Castle the kind of place we can all feel proud to be a part of."