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Planning Applications Committee - Tuesday 19 November 2024 7.00 pm

November 19, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting
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Summary

The committee resolved to grant planning permission for an application at 1, 3-11 Wellfit Street and to grant conditional planning permission for an application at 12-20 Wyvil Road, subject to completion of agreements under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

1, 3-11 Wellfit Street

The committee considered an application by Hardess Yard Limited for the demolition of the existing buildings at 1, 3-11 Wellfit Street, 7-9 Hinton Road & Units 1-4 Hardess Street and construction of a phased, mixed use development that would include a 14 storey co-living building, a three storey light industrial building, a new pedestrian and vehicle route through the site and public realm improvements.

Affordable Housing

Concerns were raised about the application's lack of on-site affordable housing provision and the £9.21 million affordable housing contribution that is proposed. This contribution represents just 13.4% of the units on the site, rather than the 35% that would usually be required. In response to these concerns, the planning officer explained that:

The application is supported by a viability assessment that has been independently verified by the Council’s viability consultants Avison Young.

The committee also discussed whether the affordable housing contribution could be ringfenced to be spent within Loughborough Junction, but it was explained by the officers that it was not possible to guarantee this.

Co-living

The committee discussed the application's proposed use as co-living accommodation, and whether there is demand for this type of housing in the area. Councillor Clark said:

I just wanted to understand from an officer's perspective did they have a look at the the Knight-Frank assessment and where do we feel particularly from a, understand from a London perspective, that there is a need but was there, even if there wasn’t a full needs assessment done from from a Lambeth point of view, where do they think that there is a need from the local side.

The planning officer replied that:

... there was no sort of policy requirement to demonstrate need because that's sort of assumed within the policy ...

In response to concerns about the potential for short term lets at the development, it was explained that the minimum tenancy would be three months, in line with Lambeth's Local Plan policies.

The co-living operator, Catherine Rose from Verve Life, was present and confirmed that the average length of stay at similar co-living schemes was 300 days, and that over 50% of occupiers choose to renew their leases.

Transport

The application site has a PTAL score of 3, which is classed as having 'moderate' access to public transport. There were concerns raised about the development's impact on Loughborough Junction station, which is currently at or near capacity during peak times. In addition the station does not currently have step-free access.

In response to these concerns, the committee heard from a transport planning officer who said:

The proposal has been assessed in respect of impact on public transport services and subject to securing planning obligations where appropriate (including towards Loughborough Junction Station Improvements) the proposal is considered to be acceptable.

The application includes a financial contribution of £480,000 towards improvements to Loughborough Junction station, including:

  • £250,000 contribution towards a feasibility and design study for an Access for All scheme
  • £30,000 towards improvements to platform facilities, including waiting shelters and seating
  • £200,000 towards remodelling the existing platform buildings

In addition a financial contribution of £175,000 was secured to provide a new Santander cycle hire docking station in the area.

Industrial Use

The application includes 1,421 sqm of light industrial floorspace in a new building. The provision of Use Class E space was welcomed by the committee. The viability of the space was discussed, with reference to the applicant's commercial strategy and the Brixton Creative Enterprise Zone in which the site is located.

Councillor Costa said:

Regarding the workspace and the retail, would that be rented out to Living Wage employers?

The chair replied that this was a good suggestion and agreed to minute the request, so that it could be shared with the appropriate council department.

Decision

Following discussion, the committee resolved to grant planning permission subject to completion of an s106 agreement.

12-20 Wyvil Road

The committee also considered an application from London Square Developments Limited to vary planning conditions for an application at 12-20 Wyvil Road. The application seeks to amend an extant permission for a mixed-use development at the site. The main proposed changes relate to internal layout, the external appearance of the buildings, the amount of commercial floorspace and the provision of affordable housing.

Affordable Housing

The application originally included the complete loss of the approved office floorspace at the site. However, the planning officer explained:

...officers negotiated for this floorspace to be provided as affordable workspace...

The application as amended included 441 sqm GIA of employment space to be secured as affordable workspace for a period of 15 years at a discounted rent, in line with Lambeth's policies.

The application proposed an uplift of 23 affordable homes compared to the consented scheme. However, the applicant's viability assessment concluded that the scheme could not support an increase in the provision of affordable housing, and was instead proposing that the original payment in lieu of £10.59 million be retained. This was challenged by the chair who said:

...because it's a commercial decision so it's nothing to do the viability of the application so if the applicant changed their mind and said well commercially actually it doesn't suit us I mean...

In response to this, the planning officer explained that the committee could refuse the application if it wished to challenge the affordable housing offer, but advised that:

...we would be on shaky grounds if we were to to seek a longer period...

Transport

The development would be car-free, other than for disabled parking. There would be 10 disabled parking bays provided, in line with the requirements of the London Plan. The parking strategy for the development would also include a contribution of £133,745 toward a new cycle docking station.

Decision

Following discussion, the committee resolved to grant conditional planning permission for the application, subject to completion of an s106 agreement.