The Sidings – East Dulwich
- Client: Creswick Dulwich Ltd
- Architect: Swap Architects
- Contacts: Sean Tickle, Mike Bottomley
- LPA: London Borough of Southwark
The Sidings is an ambitious mixed-use development set to transform a disused industrial site next to East Dulwich Station into a vibrant, sustainable neighbourhood. This scheme will deliver much-needed homes, new employment space, and a generous landscaped public realm – all while supporting Southwark’s targets for housing, sustainability, and community infrastructure.
Formerly occupied by a builder’s merchant, the brownfield site offers a rare opportunity to create a characterful, people-focused environment in the heart of the borough. Extensive public consultation between 2022 and 2024 – including exhibitions, workshops and digital engagement – helped shape a design that reflects local priorities, character, and context.
The proposals include 53 affordable homes – 31 for social rent and 22 for shared ownership – alongside 360 purpose-built student rooms. Of the affordable homes, 60% are family-sized, helping to meet pressing local housing need. A further 1,229 sqm of flexible commercial space, including 10% at affordable rates, will support local businesses and job creation.
A landscape-led masterplan provides over 1,400 sqm of new public open space, 513 sqm of children’s play areas, and a welcoming, pedestrian-first public realm. This includes a woodland garden, generous tree planting, and green buffers that connect the site with the surrounding streetscape. In total, 39 new trees, 1,201 sqm of green roofs, and an Urban Greening Factor of 0.43 contribute to enhanced biodiversity and sustainable drainage.
The scheme is underpinned by a strong environmental agenda. It achieves a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions, supports fossil fuel-free operation through an all-electric energy strategy, and targets BREEAM ‘Excellent’. Sustainable travel is promoted through ample cycle parking and a walkable site layout that capitalises on proximity to public transport.
Architecturally, The Sidings balances modern design with a nod to East Dulwich’s industrial heritage. Building heights range from five to eight storeys, stepping down to respect neighbouring homes, while materials and detailing take cues from the surrounding context.
