Living Bankside is a charitable organisation which serves and represents people living in Bankside, Borough, SE1 and beyond. 

In 2016 the Mayor of London visited the Landmark Court site in Southwark Street – Public Land owned by Transport for London - to launch his plans to use public land to help tackle the capital's housing crisis.

120 new homes were originally planned – this then dropped to 80 in 2017. In 2018 Living Bankside proposed that all the homes be genuinely affordable (social rent) and for key workers for the many nurses, doctors, teachers and emergency workers who serve in our neighbourhood.

The submitted proposal has dropped to just 35, including 12 for social rent and 4 for London living rent. This is immensely disappointing and shows a lack of will and commitment to alleviating the housing crisis and supporting our key workers – especially given the service they have and are providing to our
neighbourhood, city and the nation in this unprecedented crisis.

This is not the first time that so much is owed by so many to so few, nor will it be the last. Key workers have stood between us and what could have been the greatest mass tragedy we have faced in generations. 

We understand that Transport For London needs to make money, but is entirely possible even if more homes were built at Landmark Court at social rent for key workers or if all 35 homes currently proposed were at social rent for key workers. 

In 2018 many including the Mayor of London call for a proper pay rise for key workers/emergency workers who serve our city and nation. Unfortunately, since 2018 their conditions haven’t dramatically improved. In particular their selfless devotion to the protection to our country demands that we repay them in kind by building genuinely affordable homes (social rent) at Landmark Court in close proximity to two of the world’s renowned teaching hospitals, various schools, police stations and fire stations.

The Mayor of London, GLA, Southwark Council and TFL can lead by example in supporting key workers.  If key workers were able to live closer to their places 
of work, it would improve their quality of life and help alleviate stresses on the transport network.  

If you really are as grateful as you say you are to the staff of our NHS and to our key workers, then please illustrate this. Deliver more homes at social rent at Landmark Court for Key Workers.