Plans for the redevelopment of the Deep-Level Air-Raid Shelter on Clapham Common have been published by Transport for London (TfL) who own the structure opposite Clapham South Tube station.

TfL want to use use its rotunda space above ground for a new café and an exhibition space documenting the shelter’s history.

The deep-level air raid shelter was one of eight built during the Second World War and one of three in Clapham. Some of the Caribbean immigrants who arrived on the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948 spent time living in the network of underground tunnels, before being housed, with many settling in Brixton because the location of the nearest Labour Exchange was on Coldharbour Lane.

CCMAC went on tour of the subterranean shelter earlier in the year. Despite being blighted by neglect and graffiti, the shelter is grade II listed.

We will keep you updated with the progress of this project