Project given permission in 2019 but sent back to drawing board by regulatory changes

Get Living has set out revisions to proposals for the west site of the Elephant and Castle Town Centre development.  

The project was given consent in 2019 to build on the current site of the London College of Communications (LCC), which sits alongside the build-to-rent developer’s existing scheme at Elephant Central. 

Get Living_Elephant and Castle Town Centre_West site © Allies & Morrison

Source: Allies & Morrison

Designs for Get Living’s Elephant and Castle Town Centre West site

Regulatory changes relating to building safety and sustainability have necessitated changes to the scheme, however, and Get Living said it had used this as an “opportunity” to ensure the proposals “better meet the needs of the local area”. 

The updated proposals include delivery of 498 homes, including 49 for affordable rent and 116 social rent, new student residential units, changes to the proposed architecture and an additional second staircase and fire evacuation lift. 

Rick de Blaby, chief executive at Get Living, said: “As long-term stakeholders in Elephant and Castle, we are committed to delivering our bold new vision for the Town Centre scheme, which will transform the area into a major destination in the heart of London.  

“When complete, this development will bring forward new homes, a state-of-the-art campus for UAL, workspace, shops, restaurants, and cultural and leisure space, as well as major infrastructure improvements to public transport, including a new entrance to the Northern Line Underground. 

“With works well underway on the East Site, we are pleased to present our enhanced plans on the West Site, which we believe will provide far greater benefits for the existing and new community than the original consent allowed.

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“We look forward to working with the community and other local stakeholders on the next stages of this transformational project.” 

Get Living is looking for local community input, with two drop-in consultation session set to be held at The Castle Centre this month.  

The developer is currently progressing with the construction of the East site, which is set to be completed in 2026. 

That site will provide 135,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, 55,000 sq ft of workspace, 485 homes and new transport infrastructure alongside a new university building for the LCC. 

LCC is expected to move into the new campus building in September 2027, which will result in the West Site becoming vacant from January 2028.