The Committee voted to refuse planning permission for a mixed-use development of student accommodation and affordable housing on Battersea Park Road, and to grant planning permission for the demolition of an industrial building on Lidden Road and its replacement with a new industrial building. The Committee also voted to grant planning permission for the construction of a new Renal Centre building at St George's Hospital.

Application 2022/1835: Land to the rear of 41-59 Battersea Park Road, London

The committee considered a planning application for a mixed-use development of 55 affordable housing units and 762 student bedrooms on a site at 41-59 Battersea Park Road, London. The application, which had been submitted in May 2022, had been the subject of a lengthy negotiation process between the applicant and the council, with the applicant subsequently appealing against non-determination of the application.

The committee heard from officers that the applicant had initially proposed a scheme for student accommodation only, but had subsequently agreed to provide a block of affordable housing on the site. The committee also heard that the applicant had made a number of revisions to the scheme in response to concerns raised by officers and local residents, including reducing the height of the affordable housing block and amending its footprint to retain trees on the frontage of Battersea Park Road.

Officers recommended that the committee grant planning permission for the scheme, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.

Several members of the committee expressed concern about the scale of the proposed development, particularly the number of student bedrooms. Concerns were also expressed about the impact of the development on the character of the area, the loss of light to neighbouring properties, the intensification of use on the site, and the potential for an increase in traffic and noise. In particular, concerns were raised about the impact of the development on the nearby Peabody housing block, New Mansion Square.

What the residents are saying here is that they need a student apartment block here like a hole in the head. In a nutshell we need prams not bikes and once once you start to see more prams than bikes you you'll know that the nine elms development is has been a success. It really is a development that we need in nine elms like a hole in the head. - Councillor Justin

Concerns were also raised about the lack of detail on the affordable student accommodation, and its likely affordability to UK-based students.

I think it's important that you know we've been talking a lot tonight [...] about what this scheme can do for London. I think it's equally as important for the committee to be concerned that we're doing as much we can for domestic students as well. - Councillor Humphries

However, other members of the committee spoke in favour of the scheme, arguing that there is a need for more student accommodation in London and that the scheme would provide much-needed affordable housing. The scheme would also contribute to the council’s aim of maximising development on sites suitable for it.

We do need student accommodation in London. Anyone expecting to come to London and uh rent in the private rented sector is going to get a nasty surprise. - Councillor White

Following a lengthy debate, the committee voted to refuse planning permission for the scheme, citing concerns about the intensification of use on the site, the impact of the development on the character of the area, and the loss of light to neighbouring properties. The committee also felt that the balance of housing in the development was wrong given the demand for affordable housing in the Borough.

The changes between the extant permission and the existing and this uh proposal is in two areas. One is the quantum height and and then the nature of the use of those buildings and the height of increased height and the impact of that on adjoining properties and particularly the Peabody block has been discussed and debated here uh suggests that that is a good enough area for committee to rely on as a reason for refusal and that the the change of use in effect from a wholly residential bar the ground floor use uses to residential and predominantly student or overwhelmingly student with some resident residential is the wrong balance for land use and that site given the demand and need for affordable and housing and affordable housing in particular - Councillor Govindia

Application 2024/0574: Benbow House, 22 Lidden Road, London

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of an industrial building and its replacement with a new industrial building at Benbow House, 22 Lidden Road, London.

The committee heard from officers that the existing building is no longer fit for purpose and that the new building would provide modern, flexible industrial space. The new building would also have a number of environmental benefits, including a green roof and solar panels.

Several members of the committee raised concerns about the application, particularly the loss of the existing building and the impact of the new building on the character of the area. There were also questions about the likely nature of the end user of the building, given the ongoing change of use of the area from light industrial to logistics and warehousing. Concerns were raised about the proximity of the Floreat Wandsworth Primary School, and whether it would be possible to place limitations on the times of deliveries to the new building. However, officers reassured the committee that these matters would be addressed through the conditions attached to the planning permission.

The committee voted to grant planning permission for the application.

Application 2024/2673: St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London

The Committee considered an application for the construction of a part single, part two storey modular building for use as a Renal Centre, with associated landscaping, car parking and cycle parking at St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London.

The committee heard that the new building was needed to provide improved renal services at the hospital, would be highly sustainable, achieving a BREEAM¹ Outstanding rating, and would, through the use of offsite construction, minimise disruption to the hospital.

The committee voted to grant planning permission for the scheme.

Enforcement Actions, Tree Preservation Orders and other business

The committee considered a report on enforcement action taken by the council. The report included details of a case in which the council had served an enforcement notice on the owner of a property in Fairfield Road, London, requiring them to remove a flue that had been erected to the rear of the property.

The committee considered a report recommending the making of a Tree Preservation Order in respect of a tree on Wandsworth Common. The tree, a mature oak, is considered to be of significant amenity value to the area. The committee voted to approve the making of the order.

The committee also considered a number of other matters, including decisions on planning applications that had been made by officers under delegated powers, and the closure of a number of planning enforcement cases.