The Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) of Southwark Council met on Tuesday 24 February 2026 to consider two planning applications. The meeting was scheduled to discuss proposals for a new commercial storage facility and affordable workspace at Unit 23 and 24 Old Jamaica Business Estate, and the redevelopment of 47-49 Tanner Street to provide purpose-built shared living units.

Unit 23 and 24 Old Jamaica Business Estate, 24 Old Jamaica Road, London SE16 4AW

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal for the redevelopment of the existing site, which currently comprises light industrial and storage and distribution units. The plan was to construct a new commercial storage facility (Use Class B8) and affordable workspace (Use Class E). The proposed building would deliver 1,411 sqm of floor space.

The report pack detailed numerous constraints and designations affecting the site, including it being within an Urban Zone, Area Vision Boundaries Bermondsey, Archaeological Priority Areas, Strategic Protected Industrial Land, a Hot Food Takeaway Primary & Secondary School Exclusion Zone, an Air Quality Management Area, and Flood Zones 2 & 3.

Extensive neighbour consultation responses were included, raising objections concerning the incompatibility of the development with the residential character of the area, adverse amenity and safety impacts, minimal local employment benefits, and concerns about the building's height and bulk. Specific issues raised included impacts on daylight, sunlight, privacy, air quality, noise from loading bays, and traffic. Residents also expressed concerns about environmental impacts during construction and security.

The report also outlined the applicant's strategy for affordable workspace, proposing 10% of the gross internal area (141m²) at a 25% discount to market rent for 30 years. A Business Relocation Strategy was also detailed, indicating that no businesses were required to leave prematurely and that support was provided beyond policy requirements.

The report included detailed assessments of the proposed scheme's design, height, massing, and materials, as well as extensive analysis of potential impacts on neighbour amenity, including daylight, sunlight, and overshadowing for nearby residential buildings such as Queens Court, the Pitman Building, and Kimmins Court. Various scenarios, including mirror massing tests, were used to assess these impacts.

Further discussions were scheduled to cover noise and vibration, transport and highways, environmental matters, energy and sustainability, and planning obligations, including a Section 106 agreement.

47-49 Tanner Street, London, Southwark, SE1 3PL (Scheme A & B)

The committee was also scheduled to discuss proposals for the partial demolition of the existing building and the construction of a six-storey building comprising purpose-built shared living units (Use Class: Sui Generis). Two schemes, Scheme A and Scheme B, were presented, with Scheme A being the applicant's preferred option but subject to existing covenants on the site. Scheme B was developed to comply with these covenants. The key differences between the schemes related to the layout of upper floor units in the north-east and north-west corners of the building.

The site is located within the Bermondsey Street Conservation Area and is a locally listed building. The proposals aimed to retain and enhance the character of this heritage asset. The report detailed the planning history, including a previous consent for a seven-storey office building.

The proposals were assessed against various planning policies, including those related to housing supply, design quality, heritage, neighbour amenity, transport, and sustainability. Concerns raised by neighbours included the principle of co-living accommodation, design quality, neighbour amenity impacts (noise, overlooking, loss of light), transport and highways, and environmental impacts during construction.

The report included detailed comparisons between Scheme A and Scheme B, outlining the number of units, residential gross internal area, and amenity space. It also discussed the proposed affordable housing contribution, which was to be a payment in lieu, with specific financial figures calculated for both schemes.

Discussions were also scheduled to cover fire safety regulations, architectural details, townscape and urban design, heritage considerations, impacts on neighbouring amenity, landscaping and trees, transport and highways, noise and vibration, energy and sustainability, biodiversity net gain, air quality, ground conditions, water resources, flood risk, archaeology, and planning obligations, including a Section 106 agreement and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The report noted that Historic England had provided comments, expressing support for the ambition to bring the building back into use and retain its fabric, but also raised concerns about the massing of the new elements and the proposed window strategy. The council's officers provided responses to these comments.

The committee was provided with recommendations for both schemes to grant planning permission subject to conditions and the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement.