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DEVELOPER WITHDRAWS PLANS THREATENING BUSSEY BUILDING

Redevelopment would have seen luxury flats built in the vicinity of Peckham club

Developers have withdrawn plans to build luxury flats near to South London’s Bussey Building.

The plans were scrapped in the face of a campaign opposing the redevelopment led by locals and supporters of the club. An online petition opposing the development received 15,000 signatures and thousands of comments.

Developers Frame Property had originally planned to build 11 luxury apartments and up to eight retail units at 133 Rye Lane, which overlooks Bussey Building.

Speaking to The Peckham Peculiar, co-founder Nick Mansour said that the company would submit revised plans for “an entirely non-residential scheme.”

Read Mansour’s statement in full below:

“We have taken time over the past fortnight to evaluate our options for the future use of 133 Rye Lane. Over this period we have had some excellent, open conversations with various local business owners, and have reviewed and considered the comments received from the general public both online and in the public meeting at the CLF on the 24th.

“It is obvious that there is a huge amount of strength and togetherness within Peckham’s local community, and we are very glad that we attended the public meeting to witness this first hand.

“Our intention has never been to push against the interests of the local community. Indeed we would love to work alongside it, and hopefully help it to develop positively over the coming years.

“As such, and following careful consideration, we have today instructed Southwark Council that we wish to withdraw the current planning application.

“In terms of our future plans, we have been working very hard to assess the feasibility of alternative uses to the residential scheme which we had originally proposed. Whilst we still very much feel that residential uses in town centres help to create mixed, healthy and sustainable communities, we believe that there is a financially viable and positive alternative in this case.

“Therefore over the coming weeks, in response to the feedback which we’ve had and recognising Peckham’s growing and diverse business community, we will be developing plans for an entirely non-residential scheme.

“As part of this approach our intention is now to take a more light-touch, long-term approach to the redevelopment. By taking a longer term interest in this building, we hope to develop good relationships with our neighbours and be a part of all the great things which are happening and will no doubt continue to happen in Peckham.

“More than ever now, we think 133 Rye Lane is a fantastic site with a huge amount of potential, and are very excited about this new approach. We’re keen to keep our neighbours and other local stakeholders involved in the design process, and will be consulting on our revised proposals as these develop.”