I hear that the council and/or Regeneris will present the report at a Brixton Neighbourhood Forum meeting at the Pound Café on Wednesday 26th @ 7 pm.
Presumably the meeting is open to the public - though the venue is quite small.
I went to the meeting.
Regeneris talked about there "independent" report.
A few thoughts.
As this was called an independent report I had hoped for something more critical. The guy from Regeneris started by saying he had already had comments asking why the Network Rail "regeneration" of the arches was not covered in the report. He said that was because that was a "spatial" issue. So not relevant to an economic plan. I took this to mean the consultation on the Brixton Central site ( which I took part in) was purely about building heights and other mundane planning issues.
Then got a whole section on the need for "inclusive growth". That the area had "strong social capital" and "civil society". Which are an asset.
Interestingly the speaker was more Frank than the report. Two examples. He mentioned Pop with the words "whatever people think of it". Recognising there are mixed views. Also they had talked to local youth. Who felt the way Brixton was going it was "not for us". He acknowledged that but the report does not.
It talks of "perceived" issue of gentrification. As though it's arguable it's happening.
The report also sees a distinction between low and high value economic activity. With high value being regarded as good. Such as a distinction between low value retail / food drink and the growth in "specialist"high value food sector. Another example the report uses is the recent move of the architectural practice Squires as "high value" economic activity to be encouraged.
My question is who this really benefits? The youth who increasingly feel Brixton is not for them?
Whilst saying that the "perception" of gentrification (maybe) an issue the report imo appears to be saying economic activity which is leading to this is good.
Underlying the report is that "growth" is good. This concept is treated uncritically. So Squires coming here is good as it's growth in the terms of Regeneris. Same thing with "specialist" food and drink. In plain language upmarket bars and restaurants not the cheap cafes now gone from Brixton Station road.
The report acknowledges that in Coldharbour ward has social economic challenges. In plain words the working class are getting stuffed. But doesn't really give answers on how to deal with this.
A imo ( and I brought it up at meeting) is that the report does not comment on the One Planet Living principles that are in the Brixton Master plan and Brixton SPD.
These principles cover social equity and moving towards green economy. The Regeneris guy didn't seem to understand them as important part of the plan for Brixton. Even though they are written into planning docs. Neither did the officer present.
I doubt myself sometimes. I go to these meetings and hear these professionals go on and wonder if what I'm saying is wrong. After all they are the qualified experts.
I went and looked at the Bio Regional website ( who developed the OPL principles) . To take these principles seriously an action plan should be developed in conjunction with community. Targets set that can be monitored. People regularly consulted on the plan.
Imo the Council put OPL into the docs as show. Looks good. But are not taking them seriously. At a other meeting when I brought this up the officer said that OPL was "aspirational". That is secondary. Nice if it happens but not fundamental to the Brixton Master plan/ Brixton SPD. This imo is not good enough.
