Elephant and Castle

Grant Associates were appointed by Lend Lease to work alongside Make Architects to develop a masterplan for outline planning. The brief for the site is for 2,300 - 2,500 new homes, the creation of a significant new park, a vibrant market square and a mix of retail, including local and independent traders. The intention is to link the shopping centre to the historic East Street Market and provide a balance of shops necessary to support a successful new community The masterplan is currently being considered by Southwark Council and is one of 10 low carbon zones identified by the Mayor of London. The aim of the masterplan is to improve every aspect of life for local people, businesses and stakeholders and the proposals have emerged and developed in consultation with the local community and following a thorough understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the Heygate site and the surrounding area.

The masterplan sets out to create a safe, distinctive and inviting environment, enhancing connections and establishing a vibrant mix of uses where private and affordable homes achieve a good balance between density, high standards of design and sustainability and the creation of large areas of new publicly accessible green and open space. The landscape proposals integrate the best of the existing mature trees on site with the planting of a significant number of new trees and opening up streets, new open space and a new park to everyone. The proposed landscape framework was considered along with Ecosystem Services, applying environmental systems such as SUDs and habitat creation in a holistic manner to create a fully integrated approach with the intention of promoting and supporting a strong and legible green infrastructure for the development and wider context.