PLACE/Ladywell, the UK’s first pop-up village for families forced to live in B&Bs, is set to be moved to make way for 200 homes in four 10-storey blocks. Around 50 per cent of the flats will be let at affordable rents.
Built on the site of the Ladywell Leisure Centre, demolished in 2014, the bright Lego-like block was planned as a temporary residential development, offering a short-term solution to the housing crisis in the borough.
PLACE/Ladywell, developed by architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, has provided temporary accommodation for 24 families. It was expected to remain on its current site for four years.
The council now plans to relocate the buildings and has approved early proposals to redevelop the site.
Council officers will start the process of appointing architects to design the development.
Consultations on the scheme are expected to begin soon. But it will be spring 2020 before Lewisham Homes submits a planning application.
Once approved, the scheme is expected to be completed within the next four years.
Council officers quoted in the local media say Lewisham is committed to creating “a high-quality permanent residential development on this key site.”
They expect “at least 50 per cent” of the development to be “genuinely affordable housing”.
The plans contribute to the council’s commitment to build 1,000 new social homes by 2022.
The ground floor of PLACE/Ladywell developed into a thriving business and community space that included a yoga studio, an indoor market, a support centre and until recently a Good Hope café, run by community charity For Jimmy.