Blackfriars Road developments: councillor seeks reassurance for locals

The recently approved Blackfriars Road supplementary planning document identifies a number of sites currently occupied by homes – including council homes, housing association properties and a private block – as potential development sites.

At this week's council assembly meeting Cathedrals ward Liberal Democrat councillor David Noakes asked Labour council leader Peter John what reassurance he could offer residents of Quadrant House, Edward Edwards House, Tadworth House and Bridgehouse Court "that their homes won't be demolished and replaced by unaffordable high-rise private developments".

Cllr Peter John said: "It's certainly not something which Southwark Council is bringing forward, so you can certainly provide reassurance to your residents on that point."

On Quadrant House, the leader urged housing association L&Q to enter a dialogue with their tenants and promised to raise the matter with the housing association's chief executive when they next meet.

Residents of Quadrant House recently met representatives of L&Q and the Southwark Charities who provided assurances that – despite submissions made to the council during the SPD consultation – there are no imminent plans for redevelopment.

Earlier Cllr Noakes had asked for an explanation of how local residents would benefit from the new supplementary planning document.

Cllr Peter John replied: "Blackfriars Road is a hot spot for development within the Bankside and London Bridge Opportunity Area as designated in the Mayor's London Plan. It is an immensely important link between the City and our key regeneration area at Elephant & Castle, establishing it as part of central London.

"Both existing and new residents around Blackfriars Road will benefit not only from the opportunities that are arising in the area with more jobs and employment, and the SPD will also ensure that the pressure for residential development is balanced with the need for places for leisure and business and a pleasant environment for people to live in and enjoy."