Southwark consults on new housing for Old Kent Road

We are delighted to welcome GLA's strategic planner Colin Wilson to our March forum to explain about the regeneration opportunities that will be delivered around the Old Kent Road redevelopment in South London. Colin has been seconded from the Mayor of London's team to Southwark Council to lead the new team steering the scheme that will deliver over 20,000 new homes, 5,000 jobs and the extension of the Bakerloo Line.

This is very near the growing and popular area for emerging artists around Peckham.

Councillor Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council said 'Southwark aims to turn the Old Kent Road into a collection of neighbourhoods of the highest quality. There will be a high proportion of affordable homes, great opportunities for employment, training and business development'.

Colin commented ''There has been a lot of talk about "Smart Cities" and Southwark has recognised the potential to be pioneering in the way in which it plans for and engages with local communities, developers and the broader public sector'.

Past projects for Colin involve leading the Mayor's involvement in Old Oak Common, Vauxhall/Nine Elms/Battersea and King's Cross.

Meanwhile, a new and independent Trust has been launched to protect and increase affordable artist workspace following the decline in artist studios in the capital. The new Creative Land Trust will tackle the problem of rising rents in the capital by providing artists and creatives with affordable workspace. The organisation has been created with support from Arts Council England, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Outset Contemporary Art Fund.

It aims to secure 1,000 affordable workspaces in its first five years, helping artists to flourish and maintain London's status as an international cultural capital.

The creative industries in London contribute to £47 billion per year to the economy and accounts for one in six jobs in the capital. However, a shortage of affordable workspaces, rising rents and the insecurity of short-term leases threaten the future of the capital's creative workforce and artist community.

The Mayor of London has pledged £4 million to the Trust with £2 million from Arts Council England. The Trust is calling on developers to provide the Trust with funding or suitable buildings for affordable workspace. Local authorities are also being invited to work with the Trust.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

'I've been clear that London is open for business and creativity and protecting our creative sector will help the capital remain a creative and forward-looking city for the future.'