Hundreds of people gathered in Peckham on Saturday to protest against Berkeley Homes’ plans to redevelop the Aylesham Centre.
The demonstration, organised by SHAPE (Southwark Housing And Planning Emergency), brought together housing campaigners, trade unionists, and groups who argue the proposals will displace small businesses and fail to deliver the affordable housing Peckham needs.
Berkeley’s revised plans for the site, which it acquired in 2021, include 867 homes, with the proportion of affordable housing reduced from 35% in the original application to 12%.
Aylesham Community Action‘s (ACA) Siobhan McCarthy said: “It was amazing to get onto the streets of Peckham, raising awareness about this awful Berkeley Homes planning application, with the local people and businesses.
“We want homes for people not for profit.”
SHAPE campaigners claim the reduction in affordable homes is unwelcome in an area with high levels of deprivation and housing need.
Southwark is one of the most deprived boroughs in England, with Peckham the second-most deprived ward in the borough.
Southwark Council’s waiting list for social housing in Peckham and the surrounding area includes over 4,000 households.
Southwark Defend Council Housing’s (SDCH) Tanya Murat said: “We are the voice of the community, and the community says ‘no’ to this greedy developer and the planning system rigged in its favour.
“We are calling a halt to overdevelopment and the rule of the corporations.
“We want homes for people, not for profit and we will fight until we get the change we need.”
Earlier this month, Berkeley Homes launched an appeal directly to the Planning Inspectorate, bypassing Southwark Council’s planning committee.
In a statement released by Southwark Council earlier this month, cabinet member for new homes and sustainable development Helen Dennis said: “We’re very disappointed that an appeal has been submitted on the Aylesham planning application.
“The council met all the relevant timetables for this application and the decision to appeal against ‘non-determination’ was entirely that of Berkeley Homes.
“The decision by Berkeley Homes to reduce the affordable housing offer to 12% from the previously proposed 35% was the reason the council had to reconsult on the scheme this year.
“There is a huge need for more affordable homes in Southwark, with more than 4,000 households in Peckham and the nearby area on the waiting list for social housing.
“We have clear expectations that all planning applications in Southwark must meet the needs of our borough, including our policies and requirements for green space, local business, transport and affordable housing.”
SHAPE has also raised concerns about the impact of the development on small, independent businesses in the Aylesham Centre, arguing traders have not been properly consulted or supported in relocation plans.
Peckham Vision‘s Eileen Conn said: “The development is simply investment for people who want to park their money somewhere relatively safe.
“This is beyond Berkeley Homes and Peckham.
“There’s something seriously wrong with the way the planning and housing system works in Britain.”
The protest is part of a wider campaign by SHAPE to reform the housing and planning system, including a call for 50% council housing on private developments like the Aylesham Centre and 100% council homes on public land.
The coalition is also backing the upcoming People’s Assembly protest in London on 7 June.
Berkeley Group were approached for comment.
Feature image: Southwark Housing and Planning Emergency Coalition
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