A successful partnership – community-led council homes built in the shadow of The Shard
6 November 2017
Marklake Court is a community-led development of 27 high quality homes in the heart of London Bridge, designed by award-winning architects Bell Phillips Architects in partnership with the local community.
The development, by Southwark Council in partnership with Leathermarket Community Benefit Society (CBS), has seen local people involved at every stage of design and on completion the homes will be managed by tenants themselves as part of one of the most successful tenant-managed organisations in London – Leathermarket JMB.
Studies show that council tenants, like everyone else, prefer autonomy in decision making about their own homes and local environment. With this in mind, the future tenants have been asked to participate in all elements of the project from blueprints to final finishes. Those living locally will get first choice on the properties.
The new homes are targeted at downsizers meaning that larger homes are released back into the community for families needing them – in all, over 100 families could benefit from the scheme.
Councillor Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is a hugely significant development as it epitomises what Southwark Council wants for its council tenants – genuinely affordable, very high quality homes in a spectacular location that benefit the local community and have a wide-reaching positive effect for others in the borough. Every step of the design of this scheme has seen tenants’ involvement and I am delighted that Leathermarket JMB will be continuing this process with their management.”
John Paul Maytum, resident Chairman of Leathermarket CBS said: “Involving residents right from a blank sheet of paper at the very start has enabled us to get the very best outcome for this site. Residents are much happier than with the traditional development approach, because they’ve shaped the design – from the size and layout of the building right down to choosing brick colours and the interiors of flats. This allows us to open up sites that the council couldn’t do on its own and really tackle the pressing need for new council-rent homes in this area.
“We’re delighted that Southwark Council has given the vision, commitment and practical support to make this scheme a shining example of what new council house building when it embraces a spirit of true partnership with residents.”
The Leathermarket CBS team, led by development managers igloo Regeneration, is this week celebrating that Buxton Building Contractors Ltd have now reached the highest physical point of construction and the homes are really beginning to take shape.
The second partnership scheme on the former Joseph Lancaster Nursery site is due to go into planning this December.
Page last updated: 06 November 2017
