Government funds to build new homes and workspace

Southwark Council has been awarded £350k towards the redevelopment of a brownfield site, just off Old Kent Road, for new housing and workspace.

The money comes from the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF), a scheme designed to help local authorities bring forward brownfield sites to build new homes.

Southwark has just purchased the old Southern Railway stables at the junction of Catlin Street and St James’ Road in Bermondsey. Combined with vacant land that it already owns (just west of the stables) it will create one brownfield development site roughly 1 acre (or 4,000 sqm) in size.

Map showing the Catlin St site

The council estimates that up to 60 new homes could be built on the combined site, alongside 20 workspace units for small businesses.

The BLRF money will go towards clearing and decontaminating the vacant land ahead of development. Meanwhile, the Victorian stables on the Southern Railway site, will be preserved as part of the council’s commitment to Old Kent Road’s heritage.

The council hopes that all the stable buildings can be restored and converted into workspace.

The horses and the stables are due to move to a new home in Kent before any work begins.

Find out more about the regeneration of Old Kent Road .