The Planning Applications Committee of Lambeth Council met on Tuesday 23 June 2026, approving two significant planning applications. The committee granted conditional planning permission for a mixed-use development at 90-96 Norwood High Street, comprising 14 residential units and commercial space, and for a change of use at 35-43 Bondway from a hostel for homeless men to visitor accommodation.

90-96 Norwood High Street, London

The committee granted conditional planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings at 90-96 Norwood High Street and the erection of a part three-storey, part four-storey, and part five-storey mixed-use development. The development will include 14 residential units (three studios, one one-bedroom, and ten two-bedroom flats) and 658 square metres of Use Class E(g) commercial space, with refuse and cycle storage at ground floor level.

The proposal was a resubmission of a previously refused application, which had been overturned at committee due to concerns about dual-aspect accommodation and outlook for specific units. However, a subsequent planning inspector found the living conditions to be acceptable. The appeal was dismissed due to the absence of a Section 106 agreement to secure planning obligations. The current application proposed the same scheme but with the intention to enter into a Section 106 deed to secure necessary obligations.

Key considerations included the principle of land use, with the site being partly within the West Norwood Key Industrial Business Area (KIBA) and partly within the West Norwood Creative Business Cluster. While residential use encroaches into the KIBA, officers considered this conflict to be modest and outweighed by the benefits of the development, including an uplift in commercial floor space and the provision of new housing. No affordable housing would be provided due to viability issues, but viability reviews would be secured through Section 106 obligations. The design was deemed acceptable, and conditions were recommended to address detailed design aspects. Transport impacts were considered acceptable, with contributions towards a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), blue badge parking, and a car club bay. The development also proposed significant environmental benefits, exceeding urban greening factor requirements and achieving substantial carbon reductions.

Concerns were raised by former ward councillor Jackie Meldrum regarding the viability of car club conditions, the specifics of the play area, and the lack of affordable housing. However, the committee ultimately voted unanimously to approve the application, subject to the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 deed and finalisation of conditions by officers.

35-43 Bondway, London

The committee granted conditional planning permission for a change of use at 35-43 Bondway from a hostel for single homeless men to a hostel for visitor accommodation. The building, which has been vacant for several years, will accommodate up to 209 bed spaces.

Officers considered the loss of the existing homeless accommodation acceptable as it did not meet an identified local need and there was sufficient provision elsewhere in the borough. The proposed visitor accommodation was deemed acceptable for the location, aligning with policies supporting development within the Central Activities Zone and the Vauxhall, Nine Elms, and Battersea Opportunity Area. The development was considered to have no unacceptable impacts on amenity or transport, subject to conditions.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding the potential impact on the neighbouring Fire nightclub, particularly regarding noise and security. Officers addressed these concerns by highlighting the Agent of Change principle and the proposed mitigation measures, including noise insulation and an operational management plan. The fire strategy for the building was also clarified, with conditions imposed to ensure alarms are fitted to fire exits.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application, subject to the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 deed and finalisation of conditions. Councillor Kita Ogden, Chair of the committee, noted the potential positive impact of the hostel on the local nighttime economy by bringing visitors who could patronise local businesses and venues.