Southwark publishes ten year development plan for borough

Southwark is the first local authority to produce a Unitary Development Plan since the Mayor's London Plan, published in February 2004. The council will now undertake an intensive period of consultation between 14 May and 25 June, leading to a third round of consultation in autumn 2004 and a public inquiry early next year.

The council claims that over the past decade Southwark has emerged as one of London's most exciting boroughs, attracting internationally significant developments like the London Bridge Tower, and multi million pound regeneration schemes such as those at Elephant and Castle and Canada Water.

The Southwark Plan outlines the policies and strategies that will underpin these projects and ensure they benefit Southwark's residents, businesses and visitors.

"The Southwark Plan is one of the most important strategy documents that this council will produce" says Cllr Catherine Bowman, executive member for regeneration. "It will govern the standard of all new homes in the borough, the kind of leisure and shopping facilities that people will be able to enjoy, and the way they will travel around. It will ensure the protection of open space, the quality of our urban environment and the type of employment opportunities that will be encouraged. I would urge anyone who cares about the future of Southwark to take a look at the second draft and comment on the issues that concern them most."

The first draft was published in October 2002 and received over 1400 comments. These have been incorporated into the second draft and the council is seeking further comments on those changes. The Southwark Plan is accompanied by 29 sets of supplementary planning guidance that elaborate on the policies outlined in the plan and provide detailed guidance on how to implement them. Second drafts of the SPGs will be put out for consultation early next year.

The Southwark Plan can be downloaded from the council website and is available at all local libraries, neighbourhood housing offices, the town hall and the receptions of council offices.

The Southwark Plan costs £30 but is free to all Southwark residents. To obtain a copy contact Kirstin Clow, planning policy and research team, council offices, Chiltern, Portland Street, London SE17 2ES. Tel 020 7525 5418, email [email protected].