Food hall to make way for huge Borough development

Borough Triangle would provide "world-class architecture", the developer says

A food hall at the heart of a south London community will be bulldozed to make way for almost 900 homes in tower blocks up to 44 storeys high.

The controversial Borough Triangle development, which covers an area the size of one and a half football pitches, was narrowly approved by councillors at a Southwark planning meeting on Wednesday.

A slew of buildings will make way for the Berkeley Homes scheme, including the 100-year-old locally listed Institute of Optometry and a former paper-making factory that has been home to the Mercato Metropolitano food court for the past nine years.

Most of the 40 traders with stalls will have to find alternative arrangements until a replacement is built.

'Heart of community'

Up to 12 will be rehoused in a temporary nearby location by Berkeley while the scheme is under construction.

An office block, flexible café or retail space and a new community centre, which is expected to be occupied by a Latin American group, also form part of the plans.

The development would create 1,780 sq m of public space.

Critics have said locals' access to natural light would be lost

Of the planned 892 flats, 230 will be "affordable" (up to 80% of local market rates) and 153 will be social rent. The scheme amounts to 35% affordable housing, in line with the council's policy.

But just 13% of the new flats will have three bedrooms or more despite the council's own policy for the area requiring a minimum of 20%. However, over two-thirds of the 153 social flats will have three bedrooms or more.

Buildings that would escape the bulldozer include a locally listed former Baptist church at 82 Borough Road and the façade of 83 Borough Road.

Nina Wessel, who lives near the development site, said the closure of Mercato Metropolitan would be a huge loss.

She said: "Over the last nine years this market has become the heart of our community.

"It now attracts over 600,000 yearly visitors, provides safe and inclusive spaces and offers activities for children and adults alike.

"The traders provide jobs, support families and sustain the local economy.

"This isn't just a market. It's a key reason people want to live here."

An official from Berkeley Homes said the Borough Triangle development would create a "thriving, diverse and welcoming neighbourhood with world-class architecture".