Category Archives: Planning

Deputy mayor opens affordable housing development at Chambers Wharf

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Last week London’s deputy mayor for  housing & land Richard Blakeway joined representatives of St James, Southwark Council and Peabody to formally open the doors to the new development of 182 shared ownership and social rented homes at Chambers Wharf.

The homes, to the south of Chambers Street, have been built in advance of the linked private homes between Chambers Street and the river.

The second phase of development will have to wait for the controversial Thames Water ‘super sewer’ to be completed. image009

Spread across seven buildings, ranging from 10 to 14 storeys in height, a total of 587 homes will eventually be built at Chambers Wharf.

Sean Ellis, chairman of developer St James, said: “Chambers Wharf represents a pioneering approach to affordable housing provision in the capital. We wanted to raise the bar and showcase what can be achieved within a short timeframe. It’s tenure blind in a prime location, creating 182 contemporary, affordable homes that residents can be proud of.”

Cllr Mark Williams, Southwark’s cabinet member for regeneration and new homes, said: “In Southwark we are tackling the housing crisis head on and are doing all we can to build the quality affordable homes our residents so desperately need. This development delivers affordable homes at social rent, while also helping local residents get onto the property ladder with shared ownership homes.”

One of the first residents of Chambers Wharf is Ingrid Thomas. Previously living in a two bedroom apartment, she has moved into a four bedroom townhouse with her three boys and eight-month old daughter: “We now have the space and facilities to function as a proper family. I’m blown away by the high quality and design of the home. The outdoor space is also wonderful and it has already started bringing residents together. The children are also really excited about the play area which is currently being built!

“I couldn’t be happier right now; it’s the new start I’d been waiting for. The fact that my children love their new home makes me even more appreciative of living in this life changing new development.”

 

Stephen Howlett, chief executive of the Peabody Group, added: “Peabody has been at the heart of Southwark for almost 150 years and we want to extend our mission to as many people as possible.

“Chambers Wharf is an example of how strong partnerships can help deliver high-quality affordable homes, jobs, community facilities and amenities both for the residents and the wider community.”

 

Historic local charity plans ‘ 21st-century almshouse’ in Southwark Park Road

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United St Saviour’s Charity has revealed its plans to create an ‘almshouse for the 21st century’ at the site of the former Southwark Park Nursing Home in Southwark Park Road.

The project is funded by developer Delancey in lieu of providing any affordable housing in their scheme at 185 Park Street, next to Tate Modern.

Read more on the United St Saviour’s website.

‘Bermondsey Works’ – new name for controversial Rotherhithe New Road tower

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Appendix Image

The controversial 19-storey tower on Rotherhithe New Road approved by Boris Johnson despite Southwark Council’s opposition is to be known as ‘Bermondsey Works’.

The scheme includes new premises for Southwark Free School and a sixth form centre for the City of London Academy as well as “a stylish collection of 148 apartments, penthouses and villas”.

Telford Homes bought the scheme for £19 million last year and will this month put the homes on sale.

Prices start from £342,500 for a one-bedroom apartment. Villas start at £465,000.

Telford says it expects the first residents to move in to Bermondsey Works in summer 2017.

The Clipper: decision deferred after two hours of late-night debate

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Councillors have deferred a decision on plans to demolish the Clipper pub in Rotherhithe Street and replace it with a four-storey block of flats .

Planning officer David Cliff told the committee that the current pub building did have “townscape merit” but there were no policy grounds to demand its retention.

The committee heard from nearby residents concerned about the impact of the development on daylight and sunlight to their homes.

Andrew Large of the South East London branch of the Campaign for Real Ale also addressed the committee to argue that Rotherhithe has already lost many community (non-tourist) pubs and that – contrary to the planning officers’ assertion – the law does offer safeguards to protect pubs from demolition or conversion to other uses.

Architect Laurence Mineham said his proposal would provide “a high-quality and sustainable mixed-use development” with “much-needed new homes”.

He explained that planning officers had encouraged him to adopt a traditional design for the new flats reflecting the character of local wharves and warehouses.

Mr Mineham said that the existing Clipper building was an example of a ‘pattern book pub’ built to a standard brewery design.

Under questioning, Mr Mineham said that in his experience Enterprise Inns (previous owner of the Clipper) would not sell a pub if it was making money.

Cllr David Hubber said that when he was first elected in Surrey Docks ward there were 12 pubs but there are now five.

“It would be a great pity to see this building go, because it does have local value,” he said.

Cllr Hubber was also critical of the design of the new building which he said had been put together to ensure maximum profit for the developer.

At a midnight session of planning sub-committee B, councillors decided to put a decision on hold to allow them to make a site visit.

A final decision is likely to be made in the summer.

Jamaica Road Scout House redevelopment: planning application submitted

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Plans to redevelop the headquarters of Southwark Scouts next to Southwark Park in Jamaica Road have been submitted to Southwark Council.

From the design & access statement prepared by Michael Trentham Architects:

The Scout House consists of 2 three storey 19th Century terraced houses with a scout hall behind. It has a street frontage onto Jamaica road and steps down to a long rear addition occupying the full footprint of the site, forming the boundary with the Grade 2 Listed Southwark Park. The rear addition is the main assembly and activity space for the Southwark Scouts and other local community groups. It is in a severe state of dilapidation with a series of leaks in the roof, which have proved impossible to seal and have resulted in a number of the activity spaces being unusable. Recently, the Southwark Scout indoor camping had to be cancelled as the roof was crumbling down.

The proposed development will include new facilities for the Scout movement and other community groups, funded by the sale of eight flats in the new six-storey building.

scout house

See full details of planning application 15/AP/1074 on the Southwark Council website.

Councillors to consider Clipper pub redevelopment as CAMRA objects

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Next Tuesday (28 April) is decision day for the future of The Clipper pub on Rotherhithe Street.

Councillors are likely to approve plans to knock down the 1934 pub and replace it with a four-storey block of flats.

Objectors to the proposal include the South East London Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) who say:

We strongly oppose the above application as many pubs have already been lost in the area. In fact, according to our records only fifteen now remain open out of forty three that we have listed for Rotherhithe. Four of these closures including the Clipper have been in the last four years.

The applicant claims that because there are other pubs nearby, including the Ship York, the Orange Bull, and the Blacksmiths Arms, the loss of the Clipper will not adversely affect community facilities in the area. Yet, the Ship York has already closed (November 2014) and the Orange Bull is subject to a planning application to demolish it. The applicant’s argument, therefore, holds little weight, and, in fact, the loss of Ship York and the threat to the Orange Bull makes it all the more important that the Council recognises the importance of retaining the Clipper.

This catastrophic loss of both community facilities and heritage buildings has been recognised Nationally in paragraph 70 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), regionally in the Mayor of London’s draft London Plan paragraph 4.48A and now locally in Policy DM27 of the draft New Southwark Plan.

The CAMRA letter continues:

It is time to say no to further pub closures in this area to ensure that facilities are protected for both current and future residents . The Clipper is a purpose built public house from the interwar period which adds both variety and interest to the streetscape and while not listed could still reasonable be considered to be a non-designated heritage asset. We feel that its closure and demolition would go against current planning policies as it results in both the loss of a valued community facility and heritage asset.

However, in their report to councillors, Southwark planning officers say:

In the view of Officers, there is little evidence that this public house has recently served as a valued community facility. Whilst several letters have been received from local residents, very few of these object in principle to the loss of the public house itself. CAMRA have objected to its loss but there is no evidence provided with its objection that the public house has served as a valued facility in this case. There have been no attempts to secure the premises as an Asset of Community Value. Coupled with these factors, an existing public house (the Blacksmith Arms) is conveniently located very close to the site providing a similar use for the community. Whilst needing to guard against the loss of public houses where it is clear they offer a valued facility, this does not appear to be the case in this instance. The replacement retail class facility will also provide an, albeit different, local service for the surrounding area. Taking all these factors into consideration, it is concluded on this issue, that the loss of the public house will not result in any significant harm to the overall provision of local facilities and services in this area.

There’s more on the history of The Clipper on Andie Byrnes’s blog.

The final decision will be made by Southwark’s planning sub-committee B on Tuesday 28 April at 7pm at 160 Tooley Street SE1.

Greenland Dock and South Dock: 1985 planning controversy

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30 years ago, Southwark Council was locked in dispute with the London Docklands Development Corporation about the future of South Dock and Greenland Dock.

Earlier this year we highlighted a short clip of South Dock from the Thames News archive, but now the full report as broadcast in January 1985 has been published on YouTube by Fremantle Media, owners of the archive:

Click and comment on the Blue Bermondsey map

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The Blue Bermondsey Business Improvement District, local landowner Grosvenor and the London Borough of Southwark have launched a new online survey map which asks local businesses, residents and visitors for their views on the neighbourhood and its future development.

Accessible at bluebermondsey.commonplace.is, all you have to do is click on any location on the area map, add your comments and select what you would like to see more of in the Blue Bermondsey area.

BID manager and local businessman Russell Dryden said: “The appeal of the Commonplace survey is that it is so easy to use and will give all in the neighbourhood an opportunity to air their views.

“We can then use this vital input to assist local businesses in improving business growth to create more employment opportunities and working with the council to influence future planning, will contribute to making our area more prosperous for all.”

Katherine Rodgers of Grosvenor said: “We know that being new to Bermondsey means we have a lot to learn, and so we’re looking forward to hearing what the community loves, likes or even dislikes about the area to help inform what we do here.”

South Bermondsey councillor Leo Pollak added: “We are all excited to see this unique survey up and running.

“Unlike other consultations, everyone’s comments and ideas can be seen and the input collected will influence the future direction of the BID, as well as the council’s approach to the high street and market place, so it’s important we all have our say.

“I would encourage everyone who cares about the future of our area to add their comments and to encourage their friends and neighbours to do so as well.”

To add your comments, or simply see what others are saying about the Blue Bermondsey neighbourhood, visit bluebermondsey.commonplace.is

Campaign launched to save red crane at Odessa Street

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crane

We’ve twice written about the red crane on this website – firstly when Southwark Council revealed plans to redevelop the site with Hollybrook Homes and extend the Thames Path.

Then we reported the suggestion by council leader Peter John that parts of the crane could be turned into an artwork.

Now a campaign to save the Scotch derrick has been launched – and so far the petition on change.org has attracted nearly 140 signatures.

There is a much fuller account of the crane’s history on Andie Byrnes’ Rotherhithe Blog.