Works to improve Pelier Park have begun

The redevelopment of Pelier Park, Walworth, has begun, with hopes that it will make the park more “welcoming and attractive”.

Pictures shared by local campaign group The Walworth Society show fences erected and the beginning of what appears to be landscaping work.

The redesign includes new pathways, an improved children’s play area, new fencing, soft play installation and cycle parking. 

The current ball court is being removed because Southwark Council says “it’s directly next to a new block of council homes and there is a high risk that residents would be disturbed by the noise”. 

To account for its loss, the park design includes a new table tennis table and basketball hoop at the centre of the park. The council also says the new larger flat lawn is suitable for football.

The park was earmarked for redevelopment after the council found it was in “poor condition”, had limited seating, and was difficult to access for people with mobility issues. 

Public consultations showed that the vast majority of consultees were content with the council’s proposals. In autumn 2020, 88.5 per cent of those surveyed either liked the designs or thought they were “OK”.

Although new trees of different varieties are being planted to “increase the benefit to wildlife”, there were concerns about felling existing trees.

So consultees have reacted positively to the approved design which only involves the removal of two existing trees.