People's Republic of Southwark

Elephant & Castle: Heads of Terms

Take a look at item "11". The Core Strategy can be commented upon until early March, then any changes are made and it's sent off to the Secretary of State for independent examination, representation can be made directly to the Sec of State who, presumably, has to look into each submission. One of the first submissions to the Sec of State will be for a copy of the proposed Core Strategy, it has not been possible to get hold of one although the council promised to send one out.

Next step for the proposal is a public examination, further bout of representations etc. Changes made in this and previous stages are to made by the council prior to the next stage. This stage has a fun bit - the council can reject the inspectors amandments and start again. Realistically the Core Strategy is not going to approved until late 2010 at the earliest and possibly not until 2011.

And herein lies the loop-hole in what the council deem to publish of the Heads of Terms, the Core Strategy in the pipeline is the framework for the Elephant regeneration! Is development going to wait until the Core Strategy is in place or will Lend Lease be given carte blanche to do as they please?

Stay tuned