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News
Canada Water regeneration site employs 100 local people and raises aspirations
16 November 2011
The Canada Water regeneration project has created over 100 jobs for local people and, working with local schools, has raised aspirations in the area. Throughout the development of the site a construction training and employment steering group has been meeting regularly, bringing together representatives from Southwark Council, British Land Canada Quays and Barratt Homes; all partners in the £1bn regeneration of Canada Water.
The steering group concentrates on the employment of local people, developing apprenticeship opportunities, training, local business engagement and work with schools. To date a total of 100 local people have been employed on the site. Currently there are 27 local people working on the site across all trades and there are 18 apprentices on site, of whom 15 are local people. Two plumbing apprentices have recently finished their contracts and are moving in to full time employment with the same company.
In March 2010, Southwark Council and BL Canada Quays also launched a schools website www.canadawater-schools.co.uk, in conjunction with pupils from Albion Primary School. More recently the partnership engaged The Architecture Foundation Urban Pioneers Programme to work with a group of young people from Bacon's College, Rotherhithe with a keen interest in architecture and the built environment. The group spent July exploring their surroundings with a variety of creative professionals; including artists, architects, photographers and designers. The project focused on the area surrounding the new library and plaza at Canada Water. Today, a new part of the website goes live to interest local young people in working for regeneration in the future and publicise their achievements so far. This forms part of a long term commitment to engage with the local community throughout the planning and construction process at Canada Water.
Fiona Colley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: 'It's really important that the local young people are given a chance to feel part of the regeneration. They will see the area continue to change and improve as they grow up as we deliver our ambitious regeneration programme to improve the lives and prospects of the whole community.'
David Taylor, Chairman of BLCQ, said: We are delighted with the results of our employment and education programme. Back in 2004 we made a commitment to the local community to engage with them in the development of the Canada Water site. Opportunities for local and young people are an essential part of this engagement.
Notes to Editors
Canada Water is located in London's historic docklands area. Following the decline of the London Docks in the 1970s, the area fell into disuse and was remodelled as part of the overall Docklands Development Plan by the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC). The area was largely deprived with high unemployment and high levels of social housing.
Southwark Council received this land back in 1998 with the closure of the LDDC, and with it an opportunity to evolve the LDDC plans. Between 1999 and 2000 the new Jubilee tube line came through the area, making new connections and providing new opportunities to improve the local economy and community.
Southwark Council used an EU procurement process to select and appoint BL Canada Quays (BLCQ) (a 50:50 joint venture), to bring forward a joint masterplan for a new town centre in July 2004. British Land Canada Quays Ltd (BL Canada Quays Ltd) is a 50:50 joint venture company between The British Land Company plc and Canada Quays Ltd. A masterplan was approved in 2005 and centred on the creation of a new civic heart for a sustainable and integrated, mixed-use, major town centre.
The council and its partners are now delivering the first phase of new development in Canada Water that consists of approximately 900 new homes including affordable housing, new shopping and leisure, along with new public realm and infrastructure.
For further information on the website and the ongoing work with schools, contact Catherine Simonds T: 020 7525 7306
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