Proposals to refurbish Rotherhithe council block with additional new homes submitted to planning

28 March 2017

Plans to refurbish 144 existing homes - and build a five storey extension to create 24 more – on a Rotherhithe housing block have now been submitted by Southwark Council.

Maydew House is a major part of the regeneration of the Abbeyfield Estate. Back in 2012 the council took the decision to refurbish the block and bring the homes back into use. Five additional storeys will be built on top of the existing block – with these 24 units set to be sold on the open market. The council will sell approximately 45 units to balance the costs of the project.

A further 90 to 100 new properties are also proposed to be built on the site of the existing Bede House. The proposed tenure split ensures that there will be more council properties than before (an increase of 46 council homes) plus homes for intermediate rent as well as those for private sale, while Bede House itself can look forward to a move to a brand new, bespoke facility beneath Maydew House, designed to better meet their needs.

It is hoped that the competitive bidding process, using the GLA framework, will see the council get the greatest value for money for residents from the scheme. The project, designed by lead architects Howarth Tompkins, uses the introduction of mixed housing to the site to ensure that the project as a whole will be cost-neutral for residents, while still remaining under council ownership and ensuring more, much needed social housing for local people.

Councillor Stephanie Cryan, cabinet member for housing, said, “The refurbishment of Maydew House will help to meet the ever growing need for housing in Southwark and will provide good quality council homes to secure the future of Maydew House.

“We have listened to and taken on board the views of residents to make significant improvements to the Abbeyfield Estate. We know from the current housing crisis that we need more homes of every tenure and this scheme will deliver on that need.”

The proposals are now out for public consultation as part of the planning process.

Page last updated: 28 March 2017