Representatives from Delancey to address the meeting.
Minutes:
Stafford Lancaster from Delancey introduced his colleagues Richard Chambers, development director, and Kim Humphreys, who is responsible for the consultation. The meeting heard that Delancey were London-based developer, long-term investor and the new owners of the Elephant & Castle shopping centre. The company also managed commercial premises such as the N1 shopping centre in Islington, as well as the former athlete’s village in the Olympic park, where they would be delivering 3,000 new homes for private lettings. In its rental property business, Delancey was focused on providing long-term tenancies, which were affordable to Londoners. A typical lease ran for three years, with rent increases in line with inflation. Delancey had starting developing space on the corner of Elephant Road and New Kent Road: 400 rental homes would be created there, which would be private rented, relevant to the London market. The space would also no longer be called “Tribeca Square”.
The plan was to demolish the shopping centre and to redevelop the area as a town centre with retail and residential space, including affordable housing. The Northern Line ticket hall and the train station would be integrated into the site. The company had started speaking to stakeholders, such as the traders, already and would start the formal consultation in late spring, with a view to submitting a planning application at the end of the year.
Responding to questions, Stafford explained that they would be happy to contribute to plans for Elephant Road, and would work with Lend Lease to improve that area, for example on the possible reinstatement of the cycle lane in Elephant Road. Delancey would also work with the neighbourhood forums, community groups and with Notting Hill Housing Trust, who had been named the council’s partner for the regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate. Delancey would also ensure the creation of jobs for local people, especially young people, in the redevelopment of the shopping centre, improved transport links and links with existing infrastructure like East Street Market. Later in the year, they would be speaking to the various stakeholders, and were already speaking to existing tenants and to the Latin American community, who had approached them.
The new development would include an interchange with the Northern Line only; the Bakerloo line entrance would be unaffected. In order to demolish the shopping centre, it had to be vacant. Delancey would provide support to traders and retailers to relocate, for example to the new market square on Elephant Road developed by them, or to the new retail units in the development by Lend Lease. The aim was to recreate an urban town centre and integrate what was there already. Delancey’s contractors would be using the local labour force, providing job opportunities for local people, especially young people.
The meeting also heard the following comments from the floor: that with the increased building density, fire safety would be an issue; Delancey should take care to acknowledge the value of the existing community and amenities; the flavour and mix of local businesses should be maintained in the new development.
The chair reminded the meeting that detailed questions would be answered during the consultation phase.
Note: At this point, the meeting adjourned for a 10-minute comfort break.