Brixton Blog
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Lambeth Local Plan September 2015 Brixton for both local people and international visitors (developing Brixton as a tourist destination) 11.20 A distinctive major town centre, Brixton has would support Brixton’s reputation and growth developed an international reputation based as a retail and cultural centre. on its markets, cultural and creative energy and diversity. It has a rich architectural heritage 11.24 There is an opportunity to maximise employment with many landmark buildings in a significant and business ‘progression routes’ through using conservation area and a lively evening the markets and the growth potential of the economy. Brixton is a major administrative creative and green industry sectors, working and employment centre with jobs across a in partnership with employers, colleges and range of sectors and levels and is a busy others. There is demand for additional affordable transport interchange with regular and quick and flexible business space to meet small and access to the centre of London. Popular with medium enterprise (SME) and start-up business local people, Brixton also attracts visitors and needs – stimulating growth and providing further tourists from around the globe. employment. A number of new units are to be provided in the development at the ’Your New 11.21 While Brixton has clear and considerable Town Hall’ site. strengths, it also faces significant challenges. There is a need to support local business, 11.25 The Mayor of London’s transport strategy improve permeability, put in place the required identifies Brixton as a strategic interchange. social infrastructure and manage change, to A key mayoral policy is to improve interchange ensure local people benefit. Brixton is part of between different forms of transport, particularly the London Plan priority areas for regeneration around major rail and underground stations and the Future Brixton Masterplan (2009), and where this will enhance connectivity in developed through extensive resident and key outer London. Brixton underground station has stakeholder consultation, outlines ambitious undergone major renovation and modernisation aspirations for the area. work and the Victoria line, of which Brixton is the southern terminus, has had a major upgrade 11.22 There is clear potential for growth in terms of to increase its capacity. New development in vital job and business creation to improve its Brixton town centre must support this objective future resilience. Building on the masterplan’s and contribute to improving the interchange principles and ambitions, the Brixton between rail and underground. supplementary planning document (SPD) adopted in June 2013 was co-produced with 11.26 The London Overground extension to the local community, key stakeholders and Clapham Junction is complete. While there partners to provide detailed planning guidance are currently no plans for a station at Brixton to ensure that any development meets local (which would be supported by the Mayor’s needs and objectives, including the provision policies - see above), this is a long-held local of new homes and jobs; improved and new aspiration which the council is keen to pursue social, community, educational and physical through partnership working. New platforms infrastructure; and an enhanced retail and to enable the Overground to stop at Brixton cultural offer. and create a strategic rail interchange could open up commercial, development and other 11.23 The retail offer includes a unique range of opportunities. specialist independent units, multi-cultural indoor and street markets, convenience units 11.27 Transport for London (TfL) has undertaken and multiple retailers, including clothes and food significant carriage and foot-way improvements stores. Of the 411 retail/service units, 11 per on Brixton Road, including bus and cycle cent were vacant in 2012 - below the national priority measures, widened pavements and average (NLP 2013). However, given competition road-safety measures. Significant investment from other centres and changing consumer has also gone into the creation of a large public patterns and demand (such as internet space at Windrush Square, opened in February shopping), there is a need to improve provision. 2010. This provides a central location for events The development of a strategy to encourage use and cultural activity, alongside the Tate Library by more local residents, maximise commuter and the Black Cultural Archives development at spend and enhance and promote the offer Raleigh Hall. 170 Places and Neighbourhoods 11 Lambeth Local Plan September 2015 flagship and highly innovative flexible play space in Brixton and a centre of excellence for play in the borough and the wider sub-region. The potential for additional pocket parks and safe play spaces needs to be explored in support of the town as a family-friendly place and a place for all. 11.31 There are major regeneration opportunities in the town centre around a number of council- owned sites and other vacant and under-used sites, including upper floors above shops. Some of these present particular challenges arising from cross-cutting railway lines and multiple land-ownerships. The use of council-owned assets and active intervention in the assembly of sites will play a major role in securing beneficial development and unlocking opportunities in Brixton, working in partnership with other major landowners, residents and key stakeholders. 11.32 Following the principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability, the key objectives for regeneration in Brixton are: • reinvigoration of the town centre as a shopping destination, including the indoor 11.28 Complementary public realm improvements and street markets to a number of town centre streets, in 2012, provide an enhanced experience for pedestrians • retention and enhancement of town-centre and cyclists. Further improvements will be employment uses and affordable and flexible sought in relation to any new development in premises for small businesses the town centre. New high-quality animated • growth as a centre for creative and cultural public spaces are important in developing pride industries and the evening economy of place and supporting a sense of safety and wellbeing. Priorities include improvements to • introduction of new residential uses in the the overland station entrance and its environs, town centre supporting mixed and balanced Atlantic Road, Brixton Station Road, Popes communities Road and Coldharbour Lane. Initiatives to improve the permeability of the centre, • bringing existing housing stock up to the particularly through railway viaducts and railway Lambeth Housing Standard either through land will also be sought. Outside the town refurbishment or estate regeneration centre, estate regeneration, when it takes place, • enhancement of the existing built heritage will have permeability and community safety as and introduction of high-quality new design a high priority. in buildings and the public realm 11.29 Brixton has benefited from an increase in • exploration of the potential to locate higher the range and standard of secondary school or further educational facilities in the area places, with, for example, the opening of Michael Tippett Special Educational Needs • use of every space and building to support School (February 2008); Elm Court Special vitality and viability and address community Educational Needs School (February 2009); and safety concerns Evelyn Grace Academy, which won the Sterling Design Prize (September 2010). Primary school • improving connectivity and permeability provision needs to be significantly increased. through public realm improvements and the exploration of enhanced uses of railway 11.30 Lambeth Council developed a play park at Max viaducts, including the opportunity for Roach Park with a grant of £1.3 million. This is a improved through-routes. 11 Places and Neighbourhoods 171 Lambeth Local Plan September 2015 Diagram 3: PLACES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS, BRIXTON CHARACTER AREAS Brixton Central Somerleyton Road High Street Town Hall Area CHARACTER AREAS Brixton Central Brixton Major Centre Boundary Somerleyton Road Indoor Market High Street Primary Shopping Area Town Hall Area Railway Station London Underground Station CHARACTER AREAS Brixton Major Centre Boundary Potential Proposed new London Overground Station Brixton Central Indoor Market Railway Somerleyton Road Primary Shopping Area Major Roads High Street Railway Station Key Industrial and Business Area Town Hall Area London Underground Station Conservation Area Potential Proposed new London OvergroundImproving Station Links CHARACTER AREAS Brixton Major Centre Boundary Railway Site Allocations Brixton Central Indoor Market Major Roads Site 2 - 47-51 Acre Lane Somerleyton Road Site 14 - Somerleyton Road Primary Shopping Area Key Industrial and Business Area S ite 15 - Popes Road High Street S ite 16 - Brixton Central Railway Station Conservation Area Site 17 - SW2 Enterprise Centre Town Hall Area London Underground Station Improving Links Potential Proposed new London Overground Station Site Allocations Brixton Major Centre Boundary Site 2 - 47-51 Acre Lane Railway 172 Places and Neighbourhoods 11 Site 14 - Somerleyton Road Indoor Market Major Roads S ite 15 - Popes Road Primary Shopping Area S ite 16 - Brixton Central Key Industrial and Business Area Site 17 - SW2 Enterprise Centre Railway Station Conservation Area London Underground Station Improving Links Potential Proposed new London Overground Station Site Allocations Railway