A public consultation on a planning document which will define the future landscape of Brixton starts today (Monday).
The draft version of the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) will be considered by residents and businesses in Brixton at a series of workshops and exhibitions, after it was approved by councillors in January. The consultation will close on March 15, before the final draft goes to the full council in the Spring.
Bill Linskey, chairperson of the Brixton Society, told a meeting of the Brixton Neighbourhood Forum that the current draft needed to be more specific. “My overall impression is that it’s mostly good but it needs more work,” he said. “The SPD has a lot of good aspirations but we need to know how they will be achieved. It needs to set down things like affordable housing.
“Developers need to know that they don’t have a blank cheque to come into Brixton and do what they want. The development needs to be on our [the community’s] terms. We need to do all the things that need doing, without Brixton losing its soul.”
A previous version of the draft highlighted the Brixton Recreation Centre (Rec) as a possible site for development, with the 30-year-old building pulled down and replaced by retail and housing space.
Cllr Pete Robbins, cabinet member for housing & regeneration, said: “We are determined to preserve the unique character of Brixton which makes it such a great place to live, work and visit. Brixton has already had significant investment and become an incredibly successful town centre.”
He added: “This document will make sure people from Lambeth share the benefits of future investment, with new homes and businesses that meet their needs. Residents and business people in Brixton have told us what they want to see happen in the future, and this document will help make that a reality.”
To find out more and to have your say, visit futurebrixton.org, email futurebrixton@lambeth.gov.uk or call 0207 926 3026.
