Minutes:
Susie Wilson, from Lend Lease, gave a brief update on the consultation process since the last meeting. Susie reminded residents that the focus of Lend Lease was on a specific area within the core area of elephant and castle. She advised that the draft consultation strategy was moving forward and that Lend Lease would seek the views of local residents and groups before this was finalised. Susie encouraged people to fill out the questionnaire and let Lend Lease know how they wanted to be contacted.
Since the last meeting some introductory meetings had taken place with organisations such as: Community Action Southwark, Southwark Council and Elephant Amenity Network. Susie advised that Lend Lease would be seeking the views of the community on a range of issues including: the context and quality of the scheme, what the temporary uses of the site might be, sustainable transport and the ecology of the site.
Lend Lease can be contacted by email at: enquiries.elephantandcastle@lendlease.co.uk
Susie took questions from the floor relating to plans for community facilities such as a new library, whether a regular newsletter would be published, how new policy developments would affect the development, whether Section 106 priorities would be part of the consultation, when a gathering of the broader community would take place including all the groups Susie had identified in her update, how the potential 80% increase in social rents would be dealt with, the future of the utilities contract for the site and the development of the shopping centre.
In response, Susie and Rob Deck from Lend Lease, advised that the new library was not part of Lend Lease’s scope, and that a newsletter would be published in early February. Rob commented that Government policy regarding social rents is not yet clear. Lend Lease is not a social landlord, but along with other developers Lend Lease will be interested to understand how Councils and Social Landlords will respond to new policy developments. Susie confirmed that early discussion regarding training and employment priorities had begun with Southwark Council and community priorities will be considered during the consultation and engagement process and will inform any S106 contributions. A baseline masterplan is expected in the spring and this will be shared when there is something concrete to consult on. Lend Lease will continue to work with the council to seek an alternative energy solution. The shopping centre is part of the total regeneration area but is not owned by Lend Lease, however Rob explained that Lend Lease are in discussion with the current owners and hope to develop an integrated outcome.
Councillors asked Lend Lease to confirm they would facilitate a meeting of local organisations, and that as part of the consultation their plans for training and job opportunities would be outlined. Lend Lease agreed that training and employment is one of their priorities. Rob also confirmed that Lend Lease would implement the ‘London Living Wage’ scheme for contractors working on the Elephant & Castle project.
The chair closed the item by requesting that councillors provide Lend Lease with details of their local contacts in the community so that the consultation would be as far reaching as possible.