Representatives from the borough’s vital industrial sectors, including the creative industries, life sciences and clean tech, met on the South Bank to welcome the Lambeth Growth Plan, which promises to boost business and skills, and generate thousands more jobs and new homes.
The launch event took place at the Grade-II listed 76 Upper Ground, the former IBM offices, part of which will host Lego’s 1,500 strong London workforce from 2027, following an extensive refurbishment that created space for more than 1,200 additional jobs.
The Growth Plan, endorsed by Lambeth’s cabinet at a meeting earlier this month, is based squarely on four connected “missions” and presents a “shared blueprint for delivering inclusive, sustainable growth across the borough over the next 10 years”.
Lambeth Council Leader Claire Holland said it lays out how the council, working with its many partners, will “secure genuinely affordable homes, thriving town centres, good local jobs, investments in sustainable transport, green spaces and opportunity for local communities”.
The plan aligns with the London Growth Plan and the Government’s “Plan for Change”, setting out “five missions to deliver a decade of national renewal” – with growth the number one priority.
Cllr Holland said: “Lambeth is a great place to do business – with a strategic central London location, high-growth sectors like creative industries, health and life sciences, and clean tech, a skilled and diverse workforce, and real scope for development.
“We are also a strong and ambitious partner – with a visionary planning department, expert development teams and a clear, long-term mission for the borough. This plan is a signal of intent to investors, education institutions, developers, employers and all levels of government who want to help shape Lambeth’s future.
“Core to Lambeth’s Growth Plan is how we continue bringing about inclusive growth within our borough, to ensure that everyone here can contribute to and benefit from that growth.”
The growth plan identifies Lambeth’s wide range of assets, including three globally competitive priority growth clusters, 13,000 enterprises, and 1.7 million square feet of commercial space under construction.
Its blueprint for capitalising on all these resources is based on four connected missions, each of which is backed up with a series of actions for the next year and the next decade:
- Commercial destinations, town centres and infrastructure – ensuring Lambeth is home to world class business destinations and thriving town centres.
- Growth sectors – stimulating investment in the creative industries, health and life sciences, and clean tech, to generate 20,000 more jobs and a more accessible, innovative and modern economy.
- Inclusive talent – investing in education and skills for 20,000 residents facing disadvantages, supporting people into work, and halving the number of people without a qualification.
- Housing and neighbourhoods – enabling 10,000 new homes, as many affordable as possible, creating high quality, healthy and sustainable neighbourhoods for local communities.
The document lists scores of ambitious actions for the council and its partners over the coming year and the next decade, spread across the four missions. These include: maximising the growth and community benefits of Lambeth’s town centres and markets; continued development of key transport hubs; expanding the borough’s electric vehicle network; and opening The Old Vic Backstage, delivering nearly 9,000 square feet of cultural space and a learning studio.
The list of changes the council wants to see by the end of the decade include:
- The number of residents without a qualification halved.
- New and improved education and skills facilities – providing businesses with the talent they need, and clear, equal pathways to good jobs regardless of your starting point.
- New landmark buildings setting the standard for sustainable new development, attracting some of the world’s best companies to call Lambeth home.
- Thriving town centres which are free of congestion, greener, and renowned for their transition to a Net Zero future.
- A step change in the provision of truly affordable homes, providing security for local people, and greatly reducing the current pressure on council finances.
- Our creative industries, health and life science, clean tech economies on the world stage – attracting more growth capital, and pioneering innovation which is felt and enjoyed locally and globally.
- Over £250m of income secured from new developments spent on local projects to improve places and lives across the borough.
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London, said: “Lambeth’s 10-year growth plan reflects strong partnership with City Hall and the Greater London Authority, built on a track record of delivering for London.
“From the transformative Waterloo Station Masterplan to the upcoming New Homes 6 programme, and Lambeth’s pioneering work in skills, culture, and the experience economy, Lambeth is driving inclusive, sustainable growth. Lambeth’s leadership in life sciences, the creative industries, and clean tech is creating high-productivity jobs and opportunity. Lambeth stands out as a dynamic, innovative partner – committed to a fairer, greener London and proud to support the Mayor’s vision for a thriving, inclusive capital.”
Professor Graham Lord, of Kings College London, said: “Lambeth already has many of the necessary components of the innovation ecosystem to drive inclusive growth.
“Through our partnership in the SC1 London Health and Life Sciences Innovation District, we will accelerate our world-leading strengths including in MedTech, Biotech, and Neurosciences. We have support from national government, regional alignment, and local consensus. Housing, prosperity, jobs, and the environment must be looked at inclusively as they are fundamental to everything we do.”
Cllr Holland added: “This is very much building on the excellent work to date within our borough, looking at how we can bring innovation and bring good employment for our residents. It also focuses on young people, so that they will have the best chances growing up in this borough, and on people who’ve been out of employment and skills and have not felt the benefit of growth.
“This is also a strategy and a plan for the borough as a whole. The Lambeth Growth Plan has been co-authored with our key partners – all of whom play a vital role in our shared future. Together, we are committed to delivering bold, long-term change.”
