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Archive
Masterplanning team selected for the Aylesbury redevelopment
17 January 2007
Ref: 5370
One of the most important housing regeneration projects in the country has moved another step closer to reality.
Southwark Council and the Aylesbury New Deal for Communities (NDC) have selected the firm that will redesign and redevelop the Aylesbury, one of the biggest housing estates in Europe.
Urban Initiatives (UI) has been chosen to draw up the groundbreaking masterplan - the 15-year framework which will guide the development of this important new neighbourhood for London that will replace the 1960s South London estate.
The selection follows seven months of consultation and competition and the successful applicant was chosen - subject to contract and EU procurement requirements - from a shortlist including five others.
Aylesbury residents were involved in all parts of the process to select the masterplanning firm, including three workshops where they had their say on the major issues for the new neighbourhood.
Three residents were also on the final selection panel that chose the successful masterplanners.
Once appointed in accordance with EU procedures, UI will undertake a substantial programme of consultation with residents and key stakeholders which will continue throughout the process. The UI consortium includes a housing design panel made up of Macreanor Lavington, Alford Hall monaghan Morris, Glenn Howells Architects, Hawkins Brown Architects, Burrell Foley Fischer, dRMM and Patel Taylor.
The eventual masterplan will include proposals for housing, transport, and green space, along with healthcare, education and community facilities.
Cllr Richard Thomas, Southwark Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: "This selection is a great step forward for the regeneration programme. We have chosen Urban Initiatives as we believe they will provide a professional level of service and an innovative approach to regenerating the area.
"And most importantly, this was a selection made with the help of local residents. It is vital for the redevelopment of the area that people have their say. It is ultimately a place for them, so it has to meet their expectations of attractive, comfortable housing and excellent facilities."
And one of the residents on the selection panel, Cathie McIver, added: “We are delighted to have been involved with the selection of Urban Initiatives to undertake a masterplan for the Aylesbury area.
"We look forward to residents continuing to be involved in the development of the masterplan, and the creation of a new, vibrant and sustainable community for everyone who lives there.”
Aylesbury NDC partnership chair, Tony Taitte, who was also on the panel, said: “The redevelopment of the Aylesbury has been a long time coming. The NDC is excited at the prospect of working with Urban Initiatives and colleagues in Southwark Council to bring dramatic improvements to the area as soon as possible.”
Urban Initiatives' managing director Kelvin Campbell, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity to realise a vision for this part of south London. Urban Initiatives has brought together a team that includes much of the very best experience in design, planning and delivery of major housing and neighbourhood regeneration projects; all are leaders in their field.
"Having recently winning the 2006 Regeneration Consultant of the Year award, the Aylesbury Estate project is the ideal challenge to prove just why we were selected.
"The regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate should be an exemplar of the creation of a successful family-oriented neighbourhood for the inner city. In our minds, a successful plan should lead to a successful place for the people that matter - the current and future residents and users of the neighbourhood. We are looking forward to the prospect of working with them."
