Local residents have been invited to design community parklets as part of a new scheme to repurpose public space in Lambeth.

Lambeth Council announced its intention to reclaim car parking bays in the borough for the purpose of creating social spaces earlier this year.

In place of cars in what are currently parking bays, the 'Community Parklets Scheme' proposes the spaces contain tables and seating, extra cycle storage or greenery.

Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said: "Parklets are a great way to create spaces where people can meet, socialise, and make neighbourhoods more pleasant by increasing greenery.

"Parklets can play a huge role in bringing people together whether it's to sit down and have a chat or work together to tend new community gardens.

"We want as many local people as possible to tell us why their areas could benefit from new public space."

Supported by the Big Shift Community Fund, a programme that encourages people to reduce their car use and embrace active travel, the parklet scheme is now open to Lambeth residents in the borough to design the space in their own community.

The scheme will create 25 parklets over the coming year, with one in each council ward.

Applicants who wish to submit a design are encouraged to read the criteria and gain their neighbours ' support before completing the online application form.

Lambeth council will review each submission and work with the applicants to design and deliver the completed parklets.

The successful applicants must agree to maintaining the parklets once they have been created, including day-to-day upkeep, and reporting major issues to the council.

The Lambeth Climate Action plan and the Lambeth Kerbside Strategy identified how parklets open the kerbside to everyone and create new community-minded spaces to rest, play and garden.

The kerbside is the largest public space controlled by Lambeth Council with an area equivalent to 194 football pitches that is primarily used for car parking.

Lambeth council is reclaiming a quarter of this space to make the kerbside fairer and accessible for everyone and less dominated by motor vehicles.

Cllr Chowdhury said: "Our parklet building programme is one of the most ambitious in London to deliver 25 new parklets by the end of the year, which means one in each council ward.

"We believe that by working directly with residents, community groups and local organisations, we can make Lambeth a fairer, more accessible and climate resilient borough for everyone."

Find out more about the Community Parklet Scheme and submit your designs before the deadline on May 28.