The Somerleyton Road project is an exciting community partnership that could see new homes, a theatre and more in the heart of Brixton. Lambeth Council, Brixton Green and Ovalhouse have worked with more than 400 local residents to produce an outline scheme and a clear understanding of local people’s aspirations for the project. You can read more about how we got there on the Thinking so far page.
Local people have told us clearly what they need – homes they can afford, jobs and training, and a chance to build a community. We have an exciting opportunity to do things differently – involving local people in how we achieve these things.
The council’s Cabinet approved a report on Monday 4 November that will see the council acts as its own developer for the site, employing specialists to manage the design and build. This means more control of what we build and the proposal is for most of the new homes to be for rent, aiming for at least 40% at council rent.
It also means the council keeps ownership of the land, the new homes and the commercial buildings, but will work with Brixton Green to look at options for a community development trust and/or cooperative(s) to own or manage these. See the latest discussion boards used at the Community Day on Saturday 26 April.
We have recently tendered for the contract(s) to manage the design and build. We had six shortlisted bidders (see below) and the preferred development manager for the project has been named as Igloo. You can read a report about the decision here and the contract should be signed by 20 May 2014. Tender documents can be seen on the library page and the shortlisted bidders were:
- AECOM (FCBS)
- Igloo (Tibbalds, Metropolitan Workshop)
- Mae (EC Harris)
- Redloft
- PRP (Mace)
- Kier (PTEa)
We continue to hold workshops with the local community on key themes. Upcoming events are listed on the events calender and its free to register to attend. Materials and feedback from these events is published on the library page.
Background
The Somerleyton Road Project is one of the first to come forward as part of Future Brixton and will be developed in partnership with the local community.
This is a new approach for Lambeth, and we’re excited about working with both Brixton Green and Ovalhouse theatre on these ambitious plans. Cllr Pete Robbins, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration
Two local organisations are already working with the council on an exciting project that could see a theatre at the heart of a mixed development along Somerleyton Road.
Brixton Green is a registered mutual organisation set up four years ago to make it possible for all sections of the community to come together and make a positive and informed contribution to the redevelopment of Somerleyton Road. There are now over 1,000 people who live or work in Brixton who are shareholders and supportive of the vision.
The transformation of Somerleyton Road would bring lasting benefits for the wider neighbourhood. Stephen Jordan, Brixton Green Chairman
Ovalhouse has thrived as a radical theatre and pioneering youth arts organisation for 50 years. Based in Oval, it has been looking for a suitable site in Brixton for more than eight years and sees Somerleyton Road as an ideal site for its lively programme of activities for all ages.
We need a fit-for-purpose building to present our diverse theatre programme to run our young people’s projects, for community use, to hold rehearsals and training. We also want to open affordable units for small scale creative enterprises. Somerleyton Road would make an ideal site for our work. Deborah Bestwick, Ovalhouse Director
The Somerleyton Road site runs off Coldharbour Lane and is on partly vacant land of around 15,000sqm in front of the Moorlands Estate. The site is largely, but not wholly, owned by the council and was identified in the Brixton Masterplan (2009) as a key regeneration opportunity. This project could see the council enter into an agreement to develop the site based on the outline scheme to be agreed with local people.
A shared vision
This partnership shares a vision for a truly mixed development to support and respond to community life along Somerleyton Road. Adding to Brixton’s attractions, it could include more homes, work spaces, and possibly health and education facilities. It could also include a new cultural facility on the corner of Coldharbour Lane that would bring theatre performances and activities for all ages, along with training and community spaces.
The aspirations for the area are also captured in the proposals for the Somerleyton Road investment area, as part of the draft Brixton SPD.
There will be lots happening over the next few weeks for you to get involved
14 March 2013 at 11:02 am
This is an opportunity to include what seems to be missing elsewhere - housing co-op, shared ownership, sheltered housing, workshops/artists workshops relating to the Theatre. There is also obvious community centre/hall for Brixton. Link the arts/leisure of the threatre through Brixton Village to Brixton Rec as a recognised theme/hub
30 April 2013 at 9:01 am
It would be fantastic if there could be recognition that one of the fathers of modern sport, Charles William Alcock, lived at 36 Somerleyton Road from 1880-1887.
Alcock born in 1842 in Sunderland from a family of ship-builders and was involved in numerous sports in the late Victorian era;
Football - Charles had founded Forest FC in 1859 and latterly became known as Wanderers, who were founder members of the Football Association in 1863 (for whom he served as Secretary from 1870 and then Vice President from 1895). He came up with the concept of the FA Cup in 1871, which Wanderers would go on to win 5 times. He organised the first 5 (unofficial) international matches between England and Scotland, captaining the England side. He umpired the first official international and earned a cap for his country. At a club level, he played 186 times and scored 56 goals for Wanderers between 1864 and 1875 and refereed the FA Cup Final in 1875 and 1879.
Cricket - Alcock was captain of Middlesex, also playing for Essex and the MCC. He was Secretary of Surrey CCC between 1872 and 1907. His drive led to the creation of The Ashes, after the success of the first Test match between England and Australia at The Oval, which Charles arranged. Bizarrely, Alcock even captained the French cricket XI against a European cricket XVIII in Hamburg!
Rugby - Alcock played one game for Blackheath and organised the first rugby game at The Oval between England and Scotland.
Journalism - Alcock wrote extensively as writer and editor for ‘Cricket’, ‘Football’ and ‘James Lilywhite’s Cricketers Annual’.
Community - Alcock sat on Richmond town council, was a justice of the peace in Richmond and Surrey, was Chairman of Richmond Cricket & Athletic Association and Vice-President of Mid-Surrey Golf Club.
Without Alcock, sport in England would not have been available to everybody - it would have remained a preserve of the elite clique who concentrated on horse-racing, bare-knuckle boxing and polo!
30 April 2013 at 9:09 am
Great idea to remember some of the people who have lived there - famous or otherwise - does anyone else have histories to share?