Community consultation starts on Southbank office scheme

Plans for Shell Centre mixed-use redevelopment go on show to public

Article posted: 27 Jan 2012

The public will get the chance to have their say on the future of the area surrounding one of the capital’s most iconic buildings through a series of independent consultation workshops starting on 1 and 2 February 2012.

Local people are being asked to put forward aspirations for the Shell Centre mixed use redevelopment including significant proportion of office space on London’s South Bank, which is being developed by a joint venture comprising Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar. The proposals will incorporate the existing Shell tower and a new office building for Shell, with Shell expecting to remain in occupation for the duration of the redevelopment, although a number of personnel have already relocated to office space in Canary Wharf.

Led by independent consultants Soundings, the workshops are designed to enable the proposals to respond to the needs of Waterloo residents, local employees and visitors who enjoy the facilities of the South Bank area.  The exercise will reflect the importance of this part of the South Bank, in the context of London as a whole, as a transport hub and cultural destination.

A range of approaches to the development will be discussed which will then form a briefing from the community to the developers to inform a masterplan for the site.

A spokesperson for the joint venture said, “It’s really important that local people have the chance to tell us what they’d like from the Shell Centre site, and we are therefore urging all those who are interested to attend one of these workshops. We hope to establish an open, dynamic and on-going conversation with the South Bank community and all stakeholders, to help shape the plans as they emerge.”

Both joint venture partners have a strong track record in engaging with their local communities, and facilitating the social, environmental and economic regeneration of London. A Shell spokesperson said, “We are pleased that the developers are adopting this positive approach to consultation. Shell is committed to the South Bank and the very real improvements which redevelopment will bring.”

The consultation workshops will take place in the former Shell Centre reception on York Road. To register your interest, please email shellcentredialogue@soundingsoffice.com. 

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