A bright new vision for the Elephant
26 March 2026
Elephant and Castle Partnership and Southwark Council have unveiled an ambitious new concept that could transform the area’s skyline into one of London’s most distinctive nighttime landmarks.
The Elephant Skyline concept was launched at Ministry of Sound this week.
Designed by local architecture studio, JA Projects, the concept will use the neighbourhood’s tall buildings to create an ever-changing, illuminated public artwork that’s rooted in the area’s local history, its local communities and its own stories.
The proposal is just a concept at this stage and, if developed further, it will be subject to full public consultation and community engagement.
Watch the video produced by Cityscape Digital
West phase of Town Centre approved
24 March 2026
Get Living has received planning approval for the final phase of the Elephant and Castle town centre scheme.
This phase, located on the west side of the junction, received planning permission from Southwark Council’s planning committee last night.
The committee approved revised plans which will deliver 507 build-to-rent homes, including 165 affordable homes, and student accommodation. The plan also includes a 20,000 sq ft cultural venue and another, new public square for Elephant and Castle.
The scheme will be built on the current site of the London College of Communication, once the college relocates to its new campus, built as part of the previous phase of the town centre scheme.
The plans were agreed at Southwark’s Planning Committee meeting on 23 March 2026.
Belfield Clarke Square unveiled
22 March 2026
The new town centre square for Elephant and Castle was unveiled and officially named yesterday.
Local residents were given a preview, ahead of the full opening (planned for later this year) as part of the Urban Elephant festival.
This new public space, which will form the heart of the new town centre, celebrates one of the area’s most influential – yet long-overlooked – historical figures, Dr Cecil Belfield Clarke.
Dr Clarke came to London from Barbados and based his surgery in Elephant and Castle. He was one of the first Black doctors to sit on the British Medical Association’s Council and was a co-founder of the League of Coloured Peoples, one of the UK’s earliest and most influential civil rights organisations.
Festival goers were treated to a short history of Dr Clarke’s life and work by the People’s Company before the official naming by Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Sunny Lambe.
New health centre for Elephant and Castle
18 March 2026
Southwark Council has confirmed plans to deliver a new health centre at Elephant and Castle, bringing high-quality healthcare right to the heart of the community.
The plans were agreed at a Southwark Council Cabinet meeting on 16 March 2026.
The new centre, earmarked for the H1 site in Elephant Park, will replace two existing GP surgeries that are no longer fit for purpose and will provide a broader range of services to support residents’ health and wellbeing.
It marks an important step in the council’s long-term ambition, set out in the Elephant and Castle and Walworth Town Centre Action Plan, to create a healthier, more inclusive community. Subject to final approvals, the new health centre will open in 2031.
Urban Elephant festival: 21 March
27 February 2026
The Urban Elephant Festival returns to Elephant and Castle, this spring, on Saturday 21 March.
Locals, Londoners and tourists are all welcome to join-in with this wonderful, free community festival, featuring music, dancing, performances, art and plenty of great food.
Festivities kick off at midday and run through to 6pm.
There will be performances in Sayer Street, Walworth Square and Castle Square . There will also be an opportunity to go behind the hoardings and take a sneak peek at the new town centre square, with a plaque unveiling and naming ceremony.
This free, family-friendly event runs from 12pm to 6m on Saturday 21 March. More details to follow on the Urban Elephant website.
Crampton Street Development
8 February 2026
Bywater wants to redevelop the Royal Mail site at 123 Crampton Street.
The plan is the build a new shared living development, providing 142 homes and a green rooftop terrace offering panoramic views.
Bywater is holding two public drop-in sessions at Drapers Community Hall, where you can meet the team and view the proposals:
• Tuesday 10th February 2026 – 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• Wednesday 11th February 2026 – 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Drapers Community Hall, Hampton Street, London SE17 3A
You can also visit the consultation website at 111-123cramptonstreetconsultation.co.uk
Celebrating Una Marson
2 February 2026
This month, the Una Marson Library is celebrating the life, work and legacy of Una Marson.
Una was a pioneering, Jamaican feminist, poet, playwright, journalist, and activist, best known as the first Black woman producer and broadcaster at the BBC. Una lived in Southwark and the council’s new Una Marson library, which opened in 2024 in Walworth, is named in her honour.
The programme includes creative workshops, poetry, arts and crafts, music, and a film screening, with events for both children and adults.
All events are free. No booking required
New police team launched
16 Jan 2026
There are more police officers on the streets of Elephant and Castle as Southwark Council and the Met Police step-up neighbourhood policing in the area.
A dedicated Town Centre Team for North Walworth – comprising 16 officers – is now patrolling Elephant and Castle and the area around Walworth Road.
The launch is part of the Met’s continued commitment to drive down neighbourhood crime and precisely target the most harmful criminals by increasing the presence of local officers.
The team is targeting the issues residents and businesses say affect them most including phone snatching, violence against women and girls, neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.
£50k to support your local projects
6 Jan 2026
The Inspiring Elephant Community Fund is back for 2026.
This means £50,000 of grant funding is now available to support projects taking place in and around the Elephant town centre.
Now in its fifth year, the fund provides grants of up to £7,000 to local community organisations. The funding is for projects that either support skills and training for young adults or promote community art with a lasting legacy for the neighbourhood.
Projects can begin from May 2026 and must be completed by December 2026.
The deadline for applications is 5pm 23 February 2026.
Read archived news from last year (2025)