Project
Community-led homes approved on Elim Estate

Posted on 14 November 2025

Planning consent has been secured for 34 social rent homes on the Elim Estate in Southwark – our third project with the Leathermarket Community Benefit Society.

This is genuinely resident-led development. Working closely throughout with the Leathermarket CBS, whose board is made up primarily of local residents, we've designed two new six-storey infill buildings that transform underused sites on the estate to provide desperately needed affordable housing.

On a former garage site, a new trapezium-shaped building will provide 16 homes. Brick with distinctive horizontal banding references the neighbouring post-war estate buildings, with recessed balconies that maximise daylight.

On a second site, a new T-shaped building replaces a former ball court and will provide 18 homes. Large warehouse-sized openings and textured brickwork take cues from the historic Victorian warehouses adjacent to the site, while a double-height main entrance shares their robust, confident character.

These homes will be let at social rent levels in an area where gentrification has priced out many local people. Both buildings contain a mix of homes ranging from family-sized duplexes to smaller, single-level apartments – meeting the needs of those looking to downsize and larger families requiring more space.

Wynne Williams Associates’ landscape strategy is also set to deliver a new play area, community garden, improved ball court and enhanced public realm – benefiting both new and existing residents.