Rejuvenation Project
The area is now subject to a masterplanned redevelopment budgeted at £1.5 billion. A Development Framework was approved by Southwark Council in 2004. It covers an area of 170 acres (688,000 m²) and envisages restoring the Elephant and Castle to the role of major urban hub for inner South London which it occupied before World War II.
A substantial amount of post-World War II social housing which is deemed to have failed will be demolished, including the Heygate Estate. This will be replaced with new housing developments consisting of a mix of social and private-sector housing. This portion of the site is being developed by Lend Lease . There have also been moves to protect the last of the architecturally important tenement blocks nearby through the creation of a conservation area covering the Pullens buildings.
Some local residents are maintaining the Southwark Notes website that takes a critical look at the regeneration in the Elephant and Castle area. The Elephant Amenity Network is a local group promoting a 'Charter for Community Inclusion and a Better Quality of Life for All' and campaigning for 'a regeneration that benefits local people'.
London's growing Latino population, which have been largely residing in Elephant and Castle since the 80's, are also taking part in the regeneration project. Plans are being made to build new shops and homes to transform it into a "Latin American corridor".
Elephant and Castle was to have been served by the Cross-River Tram scheme, which was cancelled in 2008 due to budgetary constraints.
Read more about this topic: Elephant And Castle
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