Have your say on the Currys PC World and B&M sites

Work has begun on the designs for a major new development on Old Kent Road and the team want your views.

Earlier this year, Southwark Council appointed the team that will work on developing plans for the PC World and B&M sites (585-589 and 593-613 Old Kent Road).

The design team, led by three architectural practices (Morris + Company, Weston Williamson, and Westport), has been joined by community engagement consultants Soundings, who will lead the public consultation.

The engagement team is also joined by two young interns, Isaiah (17) and Chamekir (22) who are both local residents from Peckham.

The plan is to deliver up to 500 homes on the site, half of which will be council homes. As well as new homes, the scheme will also include new commercial and community spaces and, potentially, a further education college.

The scheme will also generate new jobs for Old Kent Road, both during the construction and when complete.

The project team has just started work on the concept designs so now is the perfect time to get involved. They hope to submit a planning application early next year.

Between now and 2022, there will be many opportunities for local residents and organisations to get involved in meaningful discussions and to inform the evolving designs. These will likely include exhibitions, workshops, discussions, walkarounds, digital events and street pop-ups.

Alongside the consultation, the project team has committed to deliver a series of small community support programmes. These include internships and work placements; donating time and resourcing to community organisations; and providing workshops and training sessions to help people into employment.

Southwark Council is on track to build 2,500 of its 11,000 new council homes target, across the borough, by 2022 and the first new homes on this site could be delivered by 2024.

In the longer term, the regeneration of Old Kent Road, alone, will create 20,000 new homes, including at least 5,000 for social rent.

To learn more about this project and to let the team know your thoughts, visit Soundings’ dedicated consultation website.

Find out more about the benefits of regenerating Old Kent Road.