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Peckham Square

The Heart of Peckham

Peckham Square was planned in the early 1990’s as the centrepiece of a Southwark Council-led regeneration programme, aimed at transforming the fortunes of the borough. It sits at the nexus of a number of key routes, including Peckham High Street and Rye Lane, and is the only ‘civic’ space within the borough.

Now approaching 30 years old, the square is showing some signs of wear and tear, while patterns of usage and the complex roles of public space have also changed. In response to this, Southwark Council wish to revitalise the space, ensuring it continues to act as a focus for the community in the years ahead.

Peckham Square is a flagship project within Southwark Stands Together, delivering a more inclusive public realm. Previous consultation undertaken was in depth and very broad using a range of different methods to get more diverse engagement. This has shaped both the brief and the scheme objectives.

  • Activities and Use - A wide range of activities, uses and arts events in the square in order to serve the community.
  • Safety - Improved safety and security in the square, discouraging antisocial behaviour activities and crime.
  • Sustainability - A sustainable approach to design, retaining what works well and modifying where necessary.
  • Identity - A square that celebrates the cultural heritage of Peckham, fully embraced and widely used by the community.
  • Connectivity - Better connections to Rye Lane and integration of pedestrian and cycle movement through the square.
  • Destination - A vibrant, meaningful and inclusive place for all Peckham residents that becomes a focal point for the community.

A Masterplan has been developed which includes Peckham Square, but extends northwards into Surrey Canal Walk and Westwards to include the area South of the Pulse Leisure Centre. The Masterplan will help integrate the Square into the wider neighbourhood.

Key Features

  • Dedicated cycle lane and traffic calming measures
  • Play area
  • Water feature that reflects on the history of the site as the end point of the Grand Surrey Canal
  • Soft landscaping
  • Improved lighting and new CCTVs
  • New artistic commission celebrating Damilola Taylor’s legacy and the contributions of the Hope Collective.

In considering how the square will be used, we aim to build upon the activities of the adjacent buildings. Each building brings a range of users to the square, and we should aim to provide additional facilities for each of these user groups.

  • The students at Mountview and UAL could use the north of the square for open-air performances.
  • A play area next to the cafe at Mountview will allow parents to grab a coffee while children play in clear line of sight.
  • A water feature within a flexible space would provide an element of play for children, as well as hosting alternative events.
  • The area adjacent to commercial activity on High Street and Rye Lane is a logical place to house a market.
  • An external space for learning and the arts could bring the activities of the Library and Peckham Platform into the open air.

For more details on the updated designs and consultation feedback, please visit the link below.

Phases

Phases overview
Phase 1: Online Survey
Online Survey
Phase 2: Design Exhibition
Design Exhibition

Online Survey

31 January 2025 00:00 - 3 March 2025 00:00

A key engagement objective is to give local interest and business groups and the general public within the community, to respond to the proposed design for the Peckham Square through a series of online questions on the hub page. The public exhibition event will be held at Peckham Library and hard copies of the survey will be available from the ground floor library reception.

Your responses will help the council to understand how the community will benefit from the redesigned public realm, taking on board all comments from previous consultations. This will help to assist the process of refining and shaping the final design. A consolidated report highlighting the feedback received from the community will be published and be available to view via the engagement hub and at the week long public exhibition at Peckham Library.

You can have more information on the design proposals, including details about how we aim to achieve our objectives for Peckham Square, using the link below.

How to get involved

Please complete the survey to share your views. The dates and details of engagement events will be published on this page.

By email: Peckham-square@southwark.gov.uk

By post: FREEPOST PO Box 64529, Planning and Growth (Sustainable South Team), Resources, London SE1P 5EX.

If you have any questions about the process, please email: Peckham-square@southwark.gov.uk

Design proposal for Peckham Square_2025 FEB.pdf
(11.0 MB)

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