North Southwark Community Development Group

North Southwark Community Development Group (NSCDG) occupied this building on the corner of Great Guildford Street and Copperfield Street. North Southwark neighbourhoods were withering away as the population aged and tenement housing was demolished. No new housing was being built to replace it because land was so expensive. Young people had to move out of the area to find a home when they married. Schools were outdated and their rolls were falling. The area lacked community centres and open spaces.

NSCDG formed in 1972 to give a voice to local people campaigning for improved social conditions in the Borough and Bermondsey. In 1974 it set up a Community Planning Centre funded by an Urban Aid Grant. The key obstacle for community-led regeneration was the cost of the land on the South Bank.

NSCDG was a federation of community groups and individuals based in or living in North Southwark. It campaigned for development to meet local need especially affordable housing, jobs matching local skills, open space, better public transport and local shopping.