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Aylesbury time capsule buried

12 June 2009

Children from Surrey Square School and Aylesbury locals have buried a time capsule on the first building site of the major regeneration of the estate. The event was held to celebrate two milestones – the start of building of 260 new homes; and the Aylesbury Action Plan going to the Government for approval.

The time capsule contains a film capturing memories of some of the older Aylesbury residents, as well as treasured items from the school children. It will stay buried for ten years.

The event on Friday (5 June) was held by L&Q, the housing association building the first tranche of new homes, and Councillor Paul Noblet, Southwark Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration.

Cllr Noblet said it was a very exciting day for all:

"When this time capsule next sees the light of day in 2019, these children will be adults - starting their own working lives and families, and reaping the benefits of this massive regeneration programme.

"It is an ambitious programme, but we are fully on target, despite the credit crunch - and what it translates into is a better living, working and playing environment for these young people and their families."

John Lumley, Senior Project Manager from L&Q said: "We are delighted to begin work on the Aylesbury estate, building great new homes for local people in Southwark. We've worked closely with residents and Southwark Council in getting the design right, and look forward to helping to regenerate the Aylesbury estate."

Chair of the Aylesbury Tenants and Residents Association, Jean Bartlett, said:

"We’re really excited about the phase1a site being cleared and ready for building now. At long last the Aylesbury regeneration is really happening, and it’s great to see the children from Surrey Square School here as the regeneration scheme will hugely benefit young people in the area."

Key aspects of the regeneration include providing 4,200 well-designed sustainable mixed-tenure homes, with an emphasis in providing homes for families. Residents will enjoy private open space in every home, as well as secure communal gardens. New communal open space, or green fingers, will run from a new and improved Burgess Park into the community.

The Area Action Plan (AAP) is a new type of planning document that says in detail how the Aylesbury will be developed. After a long consultation with residents and lots of changes as a result, the Aylesbury AAP was submitted to the Government in May.

The Government’s planning inspector will look at the AAP in public this summer, and will invite those people or groups who have commented on the AAP to give evidence at a public ‘examination’ at the Aylesbury.

Notes to editors