Elephant Regen - communication

But Jackie you have been saying that the problem lies with the counci??

I do say so, and it's a fact.

Why did you suggest emailing lendlease then and not a contact at the Council?

Because LL have set up a special office for contact on the Regeneration, which, since the B*** Council disbanded the Elephant Links and parachuted in all kinds of disinterested politicos who know nothing and care less one cant expect any coherent answers from. LL have the frustration of wanting to GET ON but are unable to do so while the Coucil faffs around and doesnt get the main contract signed.

No-one at Lendlease can give me an answer or doesn't want to, regarding the current situation with the Council.

You were an excellent, unofficial advocate for the scheme on the radio last year Jackie but I think if that programme aired today we would be hard pushed to put any sort of gloss on the regeneration progress.

It is infuriating that so many newspapers keep trumpeting the £1.5 billion investment when most of it has not even been contracted yet. The impression that has been given in all the press releases is that it is progressing to plan. This isn't the case is it?

When will they be revising the time line on the Southwark website to reflect delayed completion dates such as "Shopping Centre replaced by 2016" instead of the current estimate?

Jackie or anyone, do you have another contact at Lendlease or know of anyone else who can give an update on progress with contracts? I have had no joy despite my best efforts in getting any answers so far.

Ican only suppose that Kura is still on holiday in Australia. You could try emailing Richard Powell at Firstbase. richard.powell@firstbase.co.uk.

Just heard...Kura has come back TODAY so you can contact her.

Here is the response to my questions. I did ask if the timetable would be altered but I don't think that I got a clear answer to that.

In regards your query, I issued a press release in December which I am sure you saw (see here http://www.london-se1..co.uk/news/view/3048) that outlined what is happening at present.The development agreement which formalises the private sector partnership has not yet been signed and it is likely this will take place in the spring or summer of this year - I am afraid it is difficult to to be more exact as it is a long term contractual arrangement and many variables, from local to global, influence the final agreement.



As per the press release, Lend Lease, First Base and Oakmayne are working on the masterplan and without this we cannot begin the ‘big picture' regeneration of the area. As you will be aware, there are many ingredients that make up a successful masterplan, such as housing, retail, education, business/employment, transport, leisure, arts and culture, health. These are all competing priorities and the trick will be to get the balance right both for the existing the future community.



Regards your second query, there will be many changes of personnel over the life of such a long regeneration scheme and these don't affect the delivery of the scheme to any great degree.



I have also worked on this scheme for a long time as well as living locally, and I realise that the pace can sometimes be frustrating. However, everyone wants to make sure that the Elephant gets it right this time and we also have a duty to make sure that we consult people effectively about the huge changes proposed.



I hope this is helpful. Lend Lease has contributed to the forthcoming edition of Quarter Magazine ( it will be out in the next few weeks) and we will be talking more around the next steps for the project within this.



I hope to meet you at one of our roadshow events in the next few months.



best wishes



Kura

A few bits of Elephant regeneration news:
http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/3152