Steel fence planned around Heygate for 'temporary' five year period: Heygate Estate, Elephant and Castle, Southwark Council, Lend Lease

A three-metre high steel mesh security fence will be erected around parts of the Heygate Estate for a 'temporary period of five years', writes Paul Coleman.

   The fence will be placed around a number of blocks including Ashenden, Claydon, Cuddington, Marsten, Chearsley and Risborough - if a Southwark Council planning application - reference 13/AP/0508 - is approved.

'Regeneration'

Last January, Southwark Council and developer Lend Lease secured outline planning consent to demolish and re-develop the 22-acre Heygate Estate at Elephant and Castle in south London.

   Detailed consent for the Rodney Road first phase of the overall 13-year Heygate 'regeneration' project was secured last month.

  Southwark Council is trying to compulsorily purchase the homes of remaining Heygate leaseholders. Government inspector Wenda Fabian is expected to report to the Secretary of State soon after closing a four-day compulsory purchase order last February.

  The now almost emptied Heygate once housed over 3,000 people in over 1,200 council homes. Over 2,300 new homes are planned over the next 13 years including 71 social rent (council) homes.

(Above): Most of the buildings of the Heygate Estate, completed in 1974, remain structurally intact, overlooked by one of London's largest 'urban canopies' of mature London Plane trees.

Paul Coleman, London Intelligence, March 2013