Slow start for Elephant and Castle revamp

Work on the £1.5bn revamp of South London's Elephant and Castle is unlikely to start before the end of the year, despite the local council signing a new exclusivity deal with its preferred development partner Lend Lease.

Demolition of the Heygate estate, a key part of Southwark Council's regeneration plan, was due to start in September, but has now been put back to the end of the year.

A procurement strategy for the demolition work is still being finalised, with the option of Lend Lease undertaking it itself not ruled out.

An original exclusivity arrangement between the council and Lend Lease ended on 1 July.