Southwark (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Plans to demolish Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle, Southwark, to build nearly 900 homes in skyscrapers have divided local residents and traders.
This evening, Wednesday, March 26, the planning committee of Southwark Council will consider the Borough Triangle construction in Elephant and Castle, which consists of two enormous towers, one measuring forty-four stories and the other thirty-eight.
To make room for the tower blocks, a number of structures covering an area the size of 1.5 football fields will be demolished.
These buildings include the 100-year-old Institute of Optometry, which is listed locally, and a former paper making factory that has been the location of the Mercato Metropolitano food court for the past nine years.
Nina Wessel, who lives a few blocks away from the proposed construction, claimed that the structures were excessively tall and would demolish the only tourist destination in the area.
She said:
“Our main concern is the shadowing: it’s the height of the buildings. It’s 44 and 38 floors. It’s really overpowering. You have tourists coming to the market [Mercato Metropolitano]. It’s the only tourist attraction we have in Elephant and Castle. There’s nothing else.”
When Mercato Metropolitano leaves the existing space in 2026, developer Berkeley Homes has stated that 12 food court vendors would have the chance to move to a temporary location close by.
Consultations with local companies and residents have taken place. Concerns regarding the lack of knowledge and possible effects on the community have been voiced by certain locals.
In addition to providing new housing and economic prospects, the project is a major investment in the area, but it also offers difficulties for already-existing companies like Mercato Metropolitano.
Planning records from the Southwark Council state that Berkeley has promised to offer a relocation package to the remaining booth holders.
However, Andy Ng, who co-owns the Mazavaroo Club, a Mauritian takeaway restaurant in Mercarto Metropolitano, with his wife Sophie, stated that he has not yet been informed about the selection process for the 12 traders who are allowed to stay.
Nevertheless, Mr. Ng stated that he had nothing against Berkeley’s ideas.
He said:
“I understand people are opposed to having a tall building, but this place is not historic. Normally I’m not pro kicking people out but nobody lives here.
I’m fine with the development as long as it’s safe and there’s a courtyard and playground for me and my kid to play. There’s nothing around here where we can go and play.”
Mr. Ng went on to say that the current dining hall wasn’t the best, pointing out that the old paper mill occasionally experienced power outages during peak periods like Saturday evenings and got uncomfortably cold in the winter.
According to planning documents, the “Latin American cultural community” will have priority in operating the new community center that is part of Berkeley’s proposal.
Additionally, 1,780 square meters of public space would be created throughout the property by the development.
A locally listed former Baptist church at 82 Borough Road and the facade of the building next door, at 83 Borough Road, are among the structures that would evade the bulldozer.
230 of the 892 apartments that are proposed will be affordable (up to 80% of local market prices), while 153 will be socially rented.
According to Southwark Liberal Democrats, the 230 “affordable” homes in the borough are probably going to cost about £527,000, which is 16 times the average earnings. This is because of the high cost of real estate in the area.
Victor Chamberlain, the area’s local councillor and leader of Southwark’s Liberal Democrat opposition, said:
“Borough Triangle’s affordable housing provision is unacceptably low. When there are 2,853 families on the social housing waiting list in SE1 alone, to provide just 153 genuinely affordable homes is simply not good enough on such a big site.”
The absence of larger residences in the planned development has drawn criticism from some. In spite of the council’s own strategy for the region, which calls for a minimum of 20%, only 13% of the new apartments would have three bedrooms or more.
The council’s planning officials have recommended that the Borough Triangle application be approved.
The planning committee for Southwark will convene on Wednesday night in order to reach a final judgment regarding the development.
Berkeley Homes chose not to respond.
What are the key highlights of the development?
In order to provide 892 additional residences, Berkeley, the developer, intends to construct four blocks with a total height of five to forty-four stories. The initiative, which aims to improve the local economy and job possibilities, includes new shops, restaurants, and workplaces.
The proposal would include the demolition of the existing Mercato Metropolitano site. Berkeley, meanwhile, is talking of replacing the market on a public plaza in the new development.
Fire safety laws requiring second staircases in residential structures over 18 meters necessitated a revision of the original blueprints.
The new design attempts to handle growing construction costs and macroeconomic issues while adhering to these requirements.
The project is part of the larger Elephant and Castle revitalization initiatives, which seek to increase sustainability, provide jobs, and upgrade infrastructure in the neighborhood. Plans for a public piazza and more green areas are part of the development.