If you were walking down Clapham High Street last summer you may have seen Lambeth Council representatives handing out leaflets for a major new £45 million development project. Called Clapham One, the diagram of how it may look is above. This will bring major changes to Clapham High Street.

The planning application says “The mixed-use scheme comprises three components: a new multi-storey block containing a library, surgery and apartments designed by Studio Egret West; a new leisure centre, including a swimming pool by LA Architects; and the conversion of Clapham Old Library into a community art centre. The apartments will include 40% affordable housing in partnership with a preferred housing association. The development will also be built according to stringent environmental criteria.”

LoveClapham lives very close to the proposed apartment blocks and we have to say that while the leisure and shopping centre sounds great, the additional housing in an overcrowded area hasn’t met with overwhelming support. A (slightly over-the-top) flyer explaining all of the negative aspects was dropped through the letter box urging residents to object. This is all history now though as the project was approved and by 2012, if not sooner, Clapham highstreet and the surrounding area will have a major face lift and cash injection.

The funky designs for the new Clapham One library

Despite minor objections to change, this is undoubtedly an exciting and positive new development for the Clapham residents. Better, newer facilities for the entire community must be a good thing in anyone’s books. Plus we can finally wave goodbye to that horrible run down tower block on the high street. Here’s to a year or so of building work and then a fantastic new hub for Clapham residents.

The design for the Clapham One swimming pool

Further reading and useful links

• Future Clapham information on the Lambeth Council website
• Future Clapham by the Clapham Town Councillors
   

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