At a meeting of the Wandsworth Council Planning Applications Committee, councillors approved a variation to a legal agreement for hotels near the United States Embassy in Nine Elms, gave the go-ahead to a student housing development on Armoury Way, and approved a deed of variation regarding affordable housing contributions for a development on Culvert Road. The committee also confirmed two tree preservation orders.

Applications

Land at Nine Elms

The committee unanimously approved a variation to the section 106 legal agreement for land in Nine Elms, adjacent to the United States Embassy, to allow the phased occupation of two approved hotels. The existing agreement restricted occupation until both hotels were constructed and associated works completed. The variation allows one hotel to be occupied before the second is finished. A new provision sets a 'long stop date' of December 2028 for full completion.

Councillor Guy Humphreys, Councillor for Southfields in Putney and opposition speaker on the committee, sought reassurance that the changes ensured the delivery of public benefits, and an officer confirmed that contracted lawyers had reviewed every obligation in the original section 106 agreement.

Armoury Way Student Housing

The committee voted to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of 2 Armoury Way SW18 1SH for student accommodation and light industrial space, with 7 councillors in favour and 2 against. The proposal includes two buildings up to 10 storeys, comprising student accommodation and light industrial floorspace, cycle parking, public realm and landscaping.

Key points of discussion included:

Principle of Accommodation: Councillor Stephen Worrell, Shastrowing, Queenstown Ward, questioned the need for more student accommodation in the area, given other developments, and suggested the site would be better used for other types of accommodation. Debbie Turner, the Principal Development Viability Officer, responded that there was a demonstrated local need, with letters of recommendation from the Royal College of Art and the Royal Academy of Dance. She added that the National Planning Policy Framework¹ favoured mixed tenure sites, and this provided a balance to conventional housing already planned for the wider allocation. Councillor Finna Ayres expressed initial concerns about a 'monoculture' but was persuaded by the flexibility of the design, allowing for potential future use as family housing. However, she raised concerns about the small size of the units, particularly the 16 square metre single bedrooms.

Transport Implications: Councillor Ayres criticised the provision of only two parking spaces for disabled residents, arguing that this was insufficient to service both the student accommodation and the industrial units. David Tidley, the Head of Transport Strategy, stated that the application complied with parking standards, and Transport for London had been consulted. He noted the development was primarily car-free, with students excluded from the Controlled Parking Zone Permit Scheme, and highlighted the improved pedestrian and cycling permeability through the site.

Councillor Humphreys raised concerns about increased Uber and delivery traffic, and the lack of provision for hire bikes. He also questioned the management of access, particularly regarding National Grid vehicles.

Ecological Impacts: The development will have a 0.52 urban greening factor², a 26% uplift in habitats and 31% for river habitats. Affordable Housing: Councillor Jamie Colclough asked about the mix and cost of affordable units. An officer clarified that policy did not specify which units should be affordable, but the council could recommend preferences. Costs are set by the GLA, based on 55% of the maximum student loan per week. Councillor Humphreys noted the norm would be 50% affordable, but this was reduced to 35% due to decontamination costs.

Other Issues: Councillor Sara Apps raised concerns about antisocial behaviour and mopeds using cut-throughs. Officers responded that the Metropolitan Police had requested measures to be included in the management plan, such as CCTV and access control.

3 Culvert Road

The committee unanimously approved a section 106 deed of variation for 3 Culvert Road, SW11 5AU, concerning affordable housing contributions. The aim is to achieve affordable housing compliance as specified within London Plan policy H16 and Wandsworth local plan policy LP23.

Nigel Granger, the East Area Team Manager, explained that the variation sought to address a barrier to development caused by a late stage viability review in the existing agreement. The revised agreement involves an increased payment in lieu of £8.03 million, equivalent to 35% of the approved 213 rooms at a discount of 50% of the market rent, which would allow the removal of the late stage viability review.

Councillor Worrell questioned the financial viability of the current owners and expressed concerns about the height of the proposed building. Officers responded that due diligence had been undertaken, and the permission was tied to the land.

Councillor Humphreys welcomed progress on the site, noting that the 18-storey building was to pay for the sports hall.

Tree Preservation Orders

The committee approved the Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) for:

• TPO 507/2025 - 70 Thurleigh Road, SW12 8UD (Balham)
• TPO 508/2025 - Rear of 48 Manville Road, SW17 8JN (South Balham)

Other Matters

The committee noted reports on recent decisions, closure of investigation files, and closed appeals. Councillor Apps welcomed the upholding of two committee decisions on appeal, while Councillor Tony Belton, Chair of the Committee, noted that the inspector for some lost appeals was an old enforcement officer from Richmond, jokingly suggesting a possible grudge.