This meeting included the release of Section 106 funding to pay for the improvement of two sites, as well as an application to redevelop a site in Bear Lane. It also included the release of S106 funding to pay for the council's Employment and Training Programme. Please remember that this is just a summary of what was scheduled to be discussed at the meeting, and is not a summary of what was actually discussed or decided.

Employment and Training Programme

The report pack says that the council was scheduled to discuss allocating £3,075,169.93 of Section 106 funding to the council's Employment and Training Programme. The funding would come from 19 obligations from previously approved developments across the borough. The funding would be allocated across several of the council's programmes that support its key employment and training commitments as set out in its 2022-2026 Council Delivery Plan and Southwark 2030¹ visions. The largest of these programmes is the Southwark Works programme. This framework comprises a number of specialist providers that work together to provide employment support to residents facing barriers to work. Many of these residents would be unlikely to secure employment without specialist support. Targeted support would be provided by organisations that specialise in supporting residents experiencing homelessness, mental health problems, or learning difficulties. Under recent changes to the Southwark Works programme, there would be an increased focus on in-work progression, supporting residents to secure better paid, more secure work.

A second key programme within the overall Employment and Training programme is the Southwark Construction Skills Centre in Canada Water, which helps residents develop the skills to enter and progress in careers in the construction sector.

The council was also scheduled to discuss commissioning a number of new projects to support the creation of apprenticeships and to develop the skills of residents in the life sciences, digital, green, health and social care, creative, cultural, and hospitality sectors.

Redevelopment of Friars Close

The report pack says that the council was scheduled to discuss an application for full planning permission for the redevelopment of Friars Close. The proposal is for the demolition of the existing four-storey flat-roofed residential building on the site, which contains 28 social rented units, and the construction of a part nine-storey, part 22-storey building containing 149 residential units. The proposal also includes the provision of two community and learning spaces on the ground floor, a cycle store, public realm and landscaping, and a new pedestrian route along the adjacent railway viaduct. The taller, 22 storey element of the building would be located at the northern end of the site, at the junction of Bear Lane and Burrell Street, and the shorter nine-storey element would be located on the southern part of the site. The two parts of the building would be linked by a central ground-floor corridor that would provide a pedestrian link between Bear Lane and the publicly accessible space at the rear of the building, which forms part of the proposed Low Line walking route.² A number of objections were received to the application, referencing concerns about items such as the increase in scale and height compared to the existing building, and its impact on the surrounding townscape, including a number of designated and non-designated heritage assets. Objections also referenced the potential loss of light and outlook to neighbouring buildings, and to the impact on the amenity of the nearby Hopton's Almshouses in particular. Concerns were also raised about potential noise and vibration issues arising from construction activities.

The report pack says that the council was scheduled to discuss a number of reports in relation to the application, including assessments of its impact on daylight and sunlight, wind microclimate, transport, noise and vibration, air quality and fire safety. In respect of noise and vibration, a key consideration is the proximity of the development to the railway viaduct, and a Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment report was submitted with the application which recommends a range of measures to mitigate potential noise and vibration impacts including high-performance glazing and mechanical ventilation.

The report pack also says that the council was scheduled to discuss the applicant's transport assessment, which identifies an increase of 31 daily two-way vehicle trips compared to the existing building, but concludes that this would have a negligible impact on the surrounding highway network. A parking survey was undertaken using the Lambeth Methodology, which found an average parking stress of 83%, 83% and 50% respectively on Bear Lane, Burrell Street and Treveris Street which adjoin the site. This was based on an average of two spaces being available on Bear Lane and Treveris Street and one being available on Burrell Street. The transport assessment acknowledges the need to suspend four parking spaces on-street during construction works, and the permanent loss of a parking space on Treveris Street, but concludes that this would not have a significant impact on parking in the area.

In order to promote sustainable travel, the application proposes to provide no standard car parking spaces. The transport assessment says that in order to comply with the London Plan, the development should provide 264 long-stay and 5 short-stay cycle parking spaces. The report pack says the applicant was proposing to provide 269 long-stay cycle parking spaces within the building at ground and first floor level, and six short-stay spaces within the public realm, but Transport for London (TfL) raised some concerns about the accessibility, layout, and inclusivity of these spaces. It was recommended that a condition be imposed requiring the applicant to investigate options for improving the provision of cycle parking on the site.

The report pack says that the council was also scheduled to discuss the applicant's proposal to provide one accessible car parking space to meet the needs of an existing Blue Badge holder at Friars Close, which would be significantly lower than the 10% minimum requirement of the London Plan. The provision of additional accessible parking spaces on-street was explored, but as these spaces could be used by anyone and not just residents of the development, this option was discounted.

In respect of heritage impacts, the report pack says that the council was scheduled to discuss a Heritage and Townscape Visual Impact Assessment, which concluded that the proposed development would affect the settings of a number of designated and non-designated heritage assets, causing less than substantial harm. This included the Grade II* listed Hopton's Almshouses and Kirkaldy Building in Southwark Street, although the report found the harm in both instances to be to the lower end of the scale. The report also said that the development would impinge on the protected Borough view of Tate Modern from the Millennium Bridge.

The report pack says that the council was scheduled to discuss a number of conditions to be imposed on any permission granted for the redevelopment of Friars Close, including details of its design, layout, materials and finishes. Other conditions would relate to matters such as noise and vibration, drainage, landscaping, transport and waste. Planning obligations would secure matters such as affordable housing, which would be provided on-site at 43% by habitable room. All 54 of these units would be social rent, which is higher than the 36% target set out in policy P1 of the Southwark Plan. Because the proposed tenure split is not policy compliant, the applicant submitted a Financial Viability Assessment, which was independently reviewed by Cluttons on behalf of the council. Both assessments concluded that the scheme was viable and that the maximum reasonable amount of affordable housing was proposed.

All existing residents would be provided with temporary accommodation in the borough during the construction period, and all would be given the option of returning to the site. In addition, all existing residents would have the option of moving into a larger property than their current home.

The s106 would also secure contributions towards new tree planting, a Low Line Management Plan, and to fund improvements to local transport infrastructure. The applicant also agreed to contribute towards the expansion of the TfL cycle hire scheme in the area, and to provide 3 years free membership to the scheme for each eligible resident. A parking permit exemption preventing new residents from obtaining parking permits for the surrounding Controlled Parking Zone would also be secured. The total amount of s106 contributions to be sought from the scheme is £367,878.91 (excluding the street tree bond).

The report recommends that planning permission be granted subject to the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement, and referral to the Mayor of London.

Release of Section 106 monies - Bramcote Park and former Kentish Drover pub

The report pack says that the council was scheduled to discuss the release of £697,981.83 of Section 106 funding for the improvement of Bramcote Park. The money would come from eight different obligations from developments in the Old Kent Road ward, with the exception of one obligation from a development in Fenham Road. The funding would be used to pay for a number of improvements to the park including hard and soft landscaping, the provision of a new ball court, play facilities, seating, and approximately 60 new trees. The works would also include a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) to improve the park's drainage.

The report pack says that the council was scheduled to discuss releasing funding to deliver a design for the park that was developed in consultation with residents and stakeholders, including the Bramcote and Bonamy Tenants and Residents Association (TRA). The design was developed by a team led by Assemble and Local Works Studio, who were appointed following a design competition run by the council in 2021. The funding would also pay for a contractor to carry out the works, which are due to begin in late 2024, and for maintaining the new landscaping for five years. The works would cost approximately £650,000.

The ownership of the park is split between Southern Housing Group, Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association, and Southwark Council. The report does not say whether the housing associations have agreed to contribute funding towards the park improvements.

The report pack also says that the council was scheduled to discuss the release of £208,163.27 of Section 106 funding for the renewal of the Grade II listed mural at the former Kentish Drover public house in Old Kent Road. The mural, which was made by the ceramic manufacturer Royal Doulton between 1880 and 1900, depicts cattle being driven up Old Kent Road. The money for the mural would come from a single obligation from the London Power Tunnels II project.

The report pack says that the council was scheduled to discuss allocating this funding towards a project to replace the mural's tiles. A recent survey found that only six of the original hand-painted terracotta tiles were in good condition. The report says that replacing the tiles with new ones will enable the mural to be enjoyed for another 100 years or more. This approach has the support of Historic England.

The work would also include the restoration of the first floor façade of the pub. The council is also seeking funding from the pub's landlord to contribute to the cost of the restoration work.