6 years ago the Peckham Multi-Storey Car Park building was on the council’s demolition list. Peckham Vision, led by Eileen Conn, worked hard to save it then by getting it out of the Southwark Plan, and showed that local people working together can change decisions in the planning world: https://www.peckhamvision.org/wiki/Multi-Storey_Car_Park
Peckham Vision successfully nominated it as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) which expired after 5 years and now have worked to renominate it. Southwark Council has confirmed it is relisted for the next 5 years (to 2028) as an ACV which gives it some protection as a place for community benefit. With perfect timing the rooftop view from the building has helped Frank’s Café to win first place in Time Out’s ‘Best Rooftop Bar in Europe’ – https://www.timeout.com/london/news/its-official-london-has-europes-best-rooftop-bar-081823
The community benefit extends well beyond the rooftop view and bar, in the studios, workspaces, public spaces and food vendors in Peckham Levels as well as the well-loved independent PeckhamPlex cinema, and Bold Tendencies the famous arts project on the 3 top levels. This famous view experience, of the wide sweep from west to east and north across the Thames flood plain, is part of the character of Peckham and available also from other places like the Bussey Building and Forza Wine at 133 Rye Lane. Peckham Vision say, however, it continues to be threatened, as it has since 2013 and with the development of tall buildings on the Aylesham Centre site just to the north of it this risk remains real. The plans provoked much criticism and opposition and over 7,000 signed the Aylesham Community Action (ACA) petition. Berkeley withdrew these plans and have recently appointed new architects. Jas Bhalla of the new dRMM architects team for the Aylesham redevelopment says – “… The success of this project will be defined by how harmoniously new buildings and spaces support the existing ecosystem of businesses and traders.” Peckham Vision is working closely with Aylesham Community Action group (ACA). More info on the community campaign: https://www.ayleshamcommunityaction.co.uk
Your support is needed to get the right development for Peckham. Please join the ACA mailing list: – ayleshamcommunityaction@gmail.com
