Policy information sourced from the Southwark Local Plan 2022

SP4 A Green and Inclusive Economy 

We will work to make sure that Southwark has a strong, green and inclusive economy where all of our existing and new residents, businesses and workers benefit. This will be achieved through:

  • Supporting a green new deal for Southwark that creates at least 1,000 new green jobs, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and generates a new wave of environmental innovation. Workplaces and town centres will be easily accessible by walking and cycling; and
  • Delivering at least 460,000sqm of new office space between 2019 and 2036 (equating to around 35,500 jobs). Around 80% of new offices will be delivered in the Central Activities Zone. Additional offices will be delivered in the Canada Water and Old Kent Road Opportunity Areas and in town centres;
  • Delivering at least 90,000sqm additional employment floorspace between 2019 and 2036 outside the CAZ including industrial, distribution, hybrid and studio workspace; and
  • Delivering at least 10% of all new employment floorspace as affordable workspace for start-ups and existing and new small and independent businesses in Southwark; and
  • Providing at least 58,000 new jobs between 2019 and 2036. The targets for the distribution of jobs are:
Borough, Bankside and London Bridge Opportunity Area10,000
Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area10,000
Canada Water Opportunity Area20,000
Old Kent Road Opportunity Area10,000
Other Town Centres8,000
  • Bringing more opportunities for people to find work, get into training and achieve their aspirations; and
  • Making Southwark a place where the town centres and high streets thrive and are a place to do business in the London and global economy, where business owners know this is the borough where their enterprises will grow and prosper; and
  • Ensuring the distinctive town and local centres will be places where shops, leisure, office and community uses are competitive and popular, providing customer choice for local communities; and
  • Increasing retail floorspace by 76,670 sqm between 2019 and 2036 (6,560sqm convenience retail, 42,130sqm comparison goods retail, 27,980sqm food and beverage). The targets for the distribution of the retail floorspace are:
Elephant and Castle Major Town Centre10,000sqm
Peckham Major Town Centre7,000sqm
Canada Water Major Town Centre40,000sqm
CAZ and District and Local Town Centres19,670sqm
  • Working with our residents to assist them to be and stay financially independent; and
  • As shown on the policies map, designating 32ha of Strategic Protected Industrial Land where industrial uses will be maintained and designating 20ha of Locally Significant Industrial Sites where industrial premises will be co-located with new homes; and
  • Working with local business and other partners to make sure our residents are equipped with the skills and knowledge to access the many exciting opportunities that being in Southwark brings.

For more information please see the Southwark Local Plan 2022