Elim Estate, Southwark

Client: Leathermarket Community Benefit Society

Architect: Bell Phillips Architects

Description of Development: Construction of 34 social rent homes across two buildings with associated landscaping, external play/sports spaces, cycle and car parking, and environmental enhancements.

Location: Elim Estate, Elim Street, London, Southwark SE1 (Sites along Weston Street and Long Lane)

Summary

This high-quality, fully affordable housing scheme supports Southwark Council’s New Homes Programme by delivering 34 new social rent homes on infill sites within the Elim Estate. The proposals include significant public realm upgrades, including a reconfigured Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), children’s play areas, urban greening, and enhanced landscaping. The design responds carefully to the existing estate character, promotes active frontages, and integrates sustainable building technologies. The scheme was shaped through extensive community consultation.

Key Issues Addressed

Land Use and Need: The proposal makes efficient use of underutilised garage and play court land within the estate to deliver much-needed affordable housing in central London. All 34 homes are for social rent, directly addressing acute local housing need—particularly for overcrowded families within the estate. The mix includes 1–4 bedroom homes.

Design and Context: The two new buildings—one fronting Weston Street (site 1) and one on Long Lane (site 2)—range from five to six storeys. They adopt a contemporary architectural approach that draws from the estate’s brick typology, with stepped massing, generous setbacks, and active frontages. Horizontal banding, inset balconies, and robust brick detailing reference the post-war character of the estate and surrounding warehouse architecture. The design ensures privacy for neighbours and positive street engagement.

Transport and Accessibility: The development is located in a highly accessible urban area (PTAL 6a–6b), and is effectively car-free for new residents, aside from three blue badge bays. It re-provides 35 existing parking spaces and introduces 58 new secure cycle spaces. Site 1 includes a new vehicle crossover and service route, while Long Lane’s footway will be widened and upgraded. Public transport infrastructure will remain unaffected.

Sustainability and Environmental Performance: The scheme achieves a 71.4% carbon emissions reduction on-site through the use of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), extensive PV panels, and fabric-first energy efficiency. A financial contribution will offset residual carbon, meeting GLA and Southwark Plan standards. Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are incorporated via permeable paving and below-ground attenuation.

Urban Greening and Biodiversity: The development significantly enhances urban greening, with 35 new trees and 462 sqm of green roofs. A biodiversity strategy includes swift bricks, bee bricks, and enhanced planting. The Urban Greening Factor of 0.433 exceeds the London Plan residential target of 0.4.

Community Impact: Consultation included multiple estate events, drop-ins, and targeted engagement from 2018–2020. The proposals incorporate community feedback, particularly on play and sports provision. The scheme replaces the existing MUGA with a new, higher-quality facility and adds nearly 800 sqm of new doorstep play space for under-5s and 119 sqm for older children. S106 contributions (£120k) will support amenity improvements and tree replacement, and CIL relief will apply due to 100% affordable housing.

Development Highlights

This fully affordable housing-led regeneration brings 34 new homes to central Southwark, carefully woven into the existing Elim Estate. Alongside high-quality design and sustainability measures, the project delivers public realm improvements, cycle infrastructure, and significant enhancements to play and sports facilities. A comprehensive community engagement process underpinned the scheme's evolution, with Maddox Planning advising on the planning strategy and successfully securing approval for a development that aligns with Southwark’s housing and environmental priorities.

Part of the proposed scheme on the Elim Estate, Southwark