Peckham’s iconic arch could still be removed, with the council saying they “will continue to look at the future of the arch.
In October 2021 Spheron, the architectural firm tasked with the square’s redevelopment, released a concept design that reimagined the square without the arch.
The firm invited the public to comment on the plans but there have been few updates since, leading some to believe the plans had been dropped altogether.
But the council has told the News a redesign will go ahead and that they “will continue to look at… the future of the arch”.
Local architect Benedict O’Looney, who is leading Peckham Rye Station’s Victorian restoration, said he would oppose any plans to remove what he described as “the portico of Peckham”.
He believes the arch is a “democratic meeting space” akin to the ancient Agora of Athens and “shouldn’t be disposed of lightly”.
The Agora is an ancient Greek structure dating back to the 6th century BC and is considered the birthplace of Athenian democracy.
In a statement, Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency and Sustainable Growth, said: “The council commissioned Spheron to undertake an initial design study to reimagine the future of Peckham Square based on the views of local people and businesses. This has now been completed and the council is reviewing the key issues raised and prioritising work that needs to be done.
“As a result of the study, we are now planning a phased approach to the square. A design team will now be appointed to develop detailed designs for Phase 1, which includes improvements to the square in the south east corner and the full restoration and extension of 91-93 Peckham High Street, part of a Georgian terrace within a conservation area setting.
“In the meantime, we will continue to look at the rest of the project, including the future of the arch. We know this has taken longer than we hoped to complete and we have had to deal with a number of setbacks, but the council remains committed to the Peckham Square project and we continue to work with residents and businesses as we bring phases forward.”
In 2016, Southwark Council hired Carl Turner architects who proposed removing the arch and building flats on the square. The plans were dropped after vocal local opposition.
But five years later, in a June 2021 online notice, the council wrote “many residents have said they would like to see the arch removed”.
Peckham Rye Station is being restored to its former Victorian glory
The notice said the arch takes up room that could be used for “commercial and/or community space”, cuts off access from the high street and its removal could make the area “feel safer, more inviting, encouraging better use of the square at all times of day”.
But Benedict O’Looney spoke glowingly of the arch. “Urbanisticaly, it dates back to structures like the Agora in Athens where people young and old could gather and exchange ideas. It’s precious and shouldn’t be disposed of lightly”, he said.
He continued: “In view of the density of people living around Peckham Square it provides a wonderful indoor-outdoor space, a careful social mixing ground.
“It’s in the tradition of a covered market space that goes back hundreds of years in Britain. There are similar covered market spaces dating back to Tudor times in Faversham, Ledbury and Worcestershire. It’s quite a rare structure and I don’t think people get that.”