This is the citizens’ action group that values Peckham’s diversity and vibrancy to such a degree that it enabled Rye Lane to develop organically, instead of through enforced redevelopment. Peckham Vision helped achieved this by promoting community action and creating opportunities for people to make connections locally, improving relationships between authorities and the local community.
Campaigns follow the statutory processes for citizens’ rights in planning policy and development control and take in planning consultations and public hearings, petitions, web response portals, workshops, drop-in sessions and much more.
Peckham Vision runs these from its base for community events at its Bussey Building studio, open at weekends on publicised dates, and its Holdrons Arcade shop, which is an information hub and open for ad-hoc and publicised pop-ups. Both are staffed by a small group of volunteers and rely on donations to keep the momentum going and were provided by Copeland Park’s owners in recognition for the part it played in saving the site.
The Bussey isn’t the only place indebted to Peckham Vision – since 2005, it’s helped save the following hotspots from demolition / redevelopment: Dovedale Court arches (which host Bar Story, Peckham Springs), Peckham Multi Storey Car Park (Bold Tendencies, Frank’s Café), Peckham Levels, the Old Waiting Room at Peckham Rye station and several other sites pertinent to Peckham’s unique identity.
Integral to the team is Eileen Conn, awarded an MBE in 2009 for services to the community in the borough of Southwark and, in 2011, Peckham Vision persuaded the council to apply to Heritage Lottery Fund lottery Fund for a five-year project ending in October 2019. The Peckham THI received £2.1m to restore Peckham’s oldest buildings: http://peckhamheritage.org.uk.
With the belief that democracy requires informed citizen participation, Peckham Vision assists the community in shaping its future – there’s no doubt it will continue to help make Peckham a better place for everyone to visit, live and work in.