Plans in support of a planning application to the London Borough of Lambeth seek permission for the redevelopment of the site at 409 Kennington Road, for the proposed delivery of student accommodation and re-provision of commercial space.
The applicant, Standard Securities Ltd, was founded in 1970 by businessman and philanthropist Sir Naim Dangoor.
What is proposed is the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new building up to 17 storeys comprising flexible employment space on part-ground floor and part first floor, and purpose-built student accommodation on part ground and upper floors.
The Applicant is proposing to provide a minimum of 35% of the student rooms on site, which will meet the
GLA’s criteria for affordable student housing. This will be a significant benefit, and the provision of dedicated
student housing will have the advantage of relieving pressure on the local housing stock.
The Application Site has a highly accessible PTAL of 6a, the second highest achievable rating. Oval
The underground station is located c350m (5 minute walk) to the southwest, while Kennington Underground station is located c500m (7 minute walk) to the northeast. Multiple bus stops are situated near the site, serving several routes towards and away from the City. Furthermore, Vauxhall rail, Underground, and
bus stations are located c1.1km (10-minute walk) to the west of the site.
An alternative provision is being explored following correspondence with officers regarding a payment instead of part of the affordable contribution to assist in the delivery of homes in the borough.
The Applicant has undertaken extensive pre-application discussions with the Council, the Design Review
Panel, Greater London Authority, TFL, residents, Ward Councillors, and other key local groups such as
Heart of Kennington Association, and Build Better Kennington 409, a leading opponent of the scheme, which has resulted in various amendments to the scheme.
The Application Site is not an allocated housing site, and there is no planning permission in place for residential
use. The provision of student housing is therefore an acceptable use, as this site is not compromising the
delivery of new homes in the borough.
Further, the provision of student housing goes toward the Council’s housing targets at a ratio of 2.5 beds to 1 home. 191 beds in the Application scheme would equate to 76 homes for the Borough.
The application scheme will re-provide the majority of existing employment floorspace (81.5%), which will be
developed to a higher quality than existing, with greater flexibility for business types, such as small and medium
enterprises, leading to a higher employment density.
Meanwhile, local campaigners have called on Lambeth Council to reject proposals for the 17-storey tower overlooking the Grade II-listed park. The deadline for objections to the scheme passed on Friday,6th June, of which 499 comments were submitted for the scheme, entailing 450 objections and 41 in support of the scheme.
Build Better Kennington 409, a group of residents opposed to the development who believe the tower is “too tall” for the area and would loom over the surrounding low-rise buildings, which range between 2-4 storeys in height. In addition, they say that the development would be viewable from most of the surrounding Conservation Area covering Kennington’s 18th century Georgian terraced houses – a status which confers extra planning protections on areas of architectural importance.
Meanwhile, the same determining planning authority has granted planning permission to amend an existing consent for a hotel to student accommodation on Albert Embankment across two high-rise buildings, which are explored further here.
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