Have your say on the Draft Waterloo and South Bank Public Realm Framework

Share your views with us and help to shape the future of the Draft Waterloo and South Bank Public Realm Framework. The consultation is open from 26 March to 6 May 2019. Respond to our short online survey below.

Background

Waterloo and South Bank is experiencing significant development and economic growth. This brings both benefits and challenges, including increased pressure on infrastructure and the public realm.

To understand the public realm Improvement needs of the area better and to prioritise and direct resources, Lambeth Council has worked with urban design and public realm consultants, Publica, to develop a Draft Public Realm Framework.

The Framework provides an assessment of the existing public realm and identifies opportunities for improvement across Bishop’s Ward, Lambeth. Based on a rigorous baseline audit of streets and spaces, it establishes six guiding principles to shape better placemaking. These principles inform and infuse 18 location specific spatial briefs that describe the type of improvements that should be considered in each location.

The Draft Public Realm Framework is intended to underpin the Lambeth Local Plan and other strategic documents, provide direction to the public and private sector, help secure support and funding from a variety of public and private sources, and act as a springboard for the improvement and investment necessary to support growth, resilience, independence and place.

You can view an Executive Summary, the full Public Realm Framework document and other supporting documents below, along with a link to the short online survey.

Draft Waterloo and South Bank Public Realm Framework

The Framework is structured around six guiding principles (page 7 of the executive summary). The principles emerged from an extensive process of research, fieldwork and consultation; and provide place making guidance to all stakeholders concerned with the public realm.

The draft Framework also identifies 18 public spaces (or locations) within Waterloo and the South Bank and groups them into four thematic ‘families’. Each ‘family’ is defined by an overarching need. For example, spaces that can improve connections between stations, or spaces that can enhance the Thames River promenade. Each space (or location) has a spatial brief. The spatial briefs are not designs. Rather, they describe and provide guidance on the types of improvements that should be considered in each location.

Five ‘priority’ projects - those in greatest need of improvement - have emerged from the study. This includes, Victory Arch Square (outside Waterloo Station) and Emma Cons Gardens on The Cut.

Four example projects have been worked up as high level, indicative concept designs. These illustrate the types of improvements that could be delivered in these locations, responding directly to the needs analysis, guiding principles and spatial brief. Any future delivery would be subject to a design commission, consultation and available funding.

How to respond

Below are the key documents which we would encourage you to review before responding to the consultation. They are:

• The Executive Summary of the Draft Waterloo & South Bank Public Realm Framework, which summarises the six principles, spatial briefs and example ‘priority’ projects.
• The full Draft Waterloo & South Bank Public Realm Framework, which includes a Foreword from Cllr Claire Holland, key issues and opportunities, and full detail on the six principles, spatial briefs and example ‘priority’ projects.
• The Appendices to the Framework includes detailed maps that illustrate the baseline analysis completed by Publica and the existing public realm infrastructure.

We want to hear your views and you can share them with us by completing the short survey below:

Draft Waterloo and South Bank Public Realm Framework Survey

Other information you may also be interested in:

• This Draft Framework is a part of a wider piece of work called the Waterloo Development Framework programme. The programme is supporting growth and regeneration in Waterloo through investment, strategic planning and coordination by the council.
• We’re sharing some of the great projects happening in Waterloo on our Better, Fairer Lambeth pages
• The Lambeth Local Plan is our plan to improve the quality of the local environment, as well as the quality of people's lives. It sets out the vision, strategic objectives and policies for development in Lambeth over 15 years.
• Our Draft Transport Strategy details our approach to improving transport in Lambeth, including measures to improve local walking and cycling trips, and an ambitious new cycle network.

What happens next?

1. The Council will review all responses and integrate/update the Draft Public Realm Framework as appropriate.
2. A final Waterloo and South Bank Public Realm Framework will then be published on the council’s website.
3. This strategy will support the emerging evidence base of the Draft Revised Lambeth Local Plan (DRLLP).