The Planning Applications Committee of Lambeth Council met on Tuesday 03 February 2026 to discuss several planning applications. The committee resolved to grant conditional planning permission for the demolition of garage blocks on Levehurst Way to erect two five-storey buildings providing 18 flats, with 52% affordable housing. Permission was also granted for the demolition of existing buildings at 250 Kennington Lane to erect a ground plus seven-storey building for purpose-built student accommodation, with 35% affordable student rooms. However, the committee refused planning permission for the proposed change of use of 202 Lambeth Road from offices to a Special Educational Needs school, citing concerns over the loss of employment floorspace and the lack of a truly mixed-use scheme.

Garage Blocks, Levehurst Way, London

The committee granted conditional planning permission for the demolition of existing garage blocks on Levehurst Way to allow for the construction of two five-storey buildings providing 18 flats. The development will include 9 socially rented units, making 52% of the development affordable housing by habitable room. The scheme was deemed acceptable in terms of design, scale, and massing, responding appropriately to its urban context. While some daylight and overshadowing impacts on neighbouring properties were noted, these were considered acceptable within the urban environment and largely affecting non-living spaces. The development will be car-free, with one disabled parking space provided and contributions towards on-street disabled parking and healthy streets. Conditions were imposed to secure detailed landscaping, construction management, and waste management plans. A Section 106 agreement will secure affordable housing, carbon offset payments, transport contributions, and improvements to existing play spaces within the Studley Estate.

250 Kennington Lane, London

Planning permission was granted for the demolition of existing buildings at 250 Kennington Lane to erect a ground plus seven-storey building for purpose-built student accommodation. The development will provide 177 student bedrooms, a ground-floor café, and a basement flexible venue space. The scheme includes 35% affordable student accommodation and will be car-free. Concerns were raised regarding the loss of office floorspace, with officers acknowledging a conflict with LLP Policy ED1(C)(i) due to a lack of marketing evidence. However, material considerations, including the oversupply of office space in the area and the unviability of refurbishment, were deemed to outweigh this conflict. The proposal was considered to have an acceptable impact on heritage assets, and while some daylight losses to neighbouring properties were noted, these were deemed acceptable within the urban context. A Section 106 agreement will secure nominations for affordable student accommodation, a carbon offset payment, transport contributions, and employment and skills initiatives. The committee refused planning permission for this application, citing the loss of employment floorspace without sufficient marketing evidence and the lack of a truly mixed-use scheme, which they believed would negatively impact the social and economic vitality of the area.

Lambeth College, 45 Clapham Common South Side, London

Conditional planning permission was granted for the demolition of the sports hall at Lambeth College's Clapham Campus and the erection of a four-storey extension to provide additional educational floorspace. The proposal is part of the college's estate strategy to rationalise its buildings and consolidate facilities. Concerns were raised by objectors regarding the loss of the sports hall, particularly its use by disabled students and community groups. However, officers noted that the sports hall was primarily a private college facility and considered underutilised, with alternative sports facilities available elsewhere on campus. The extension was deemed acceptable in terms of design, scale, and amenity impact. A Section 106 agreement will secure contributions towards employment and skills initiatives.

202 Lambeth Road, London

The committee refused planning permission for the change of use of 202 Lambeth Road from offices to a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school. While the proposal was considered acceptable in terms of design, heritage impact, and amenity, councillors expressed concerns regarding the loss of employment floorspace without sufficient marketing evidence and the lack of a truly mixed-use scheme. They felt that the impact on the social and economic vitality of the area was not adequately justified. The decision to refuse was made despite officers' assessment that the proposal complied with the development plan overall, highlighting the differing views on the weight to be given to the loss of employment space and the nature of the proposed use. The refusal was delegated to officers to formulate the specific reasons for refusal in conjunction with the Chair.

Garage Blocks, Levehurst Way, London (Stockwell West and Larkhall)

The Planning Applications Committee granted conditional planning permission for the demolition of existing garage blocks on Levehurst Way to allow for the construction of two five-storey buildings providing 18 flats. The development includes 9 socially rented units, making 52% of the development affordable housing by habitable room. The scheme was deemed acceptable in terms of design, scale, and massing, responding appropriately to its urban context. While some daylight and overshadowing impacts on neighbouring properties were noted, these were considered acceptable within the urban environment and largely affecting non-living spaces. The development will be car-free, with one disabled parking space provided and contributions towards on-street disabled parking and healthy streets. Conditions were imposed to secure detailed landscaping, construction management, and waste management plans. A Section 106 agreement will secure affordable housing, carbon offset payments, transport contributions, and improvements to existing play spaces within the Studley Estate.

250 Kennington Lane, London (Vauxhall)

The committee granted conditional planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings at 250 Kennington Lane to erect a ground plus seven-storey building for purpose-built student accommodation. The development will provide 177 student bedrooms, a ground-floor café, and a basement flexible venue space. The scheme includes 35% affordable student accommodation and will be car-free. Concerns were raised regarding the loss of office floorspace, with officers acknowledging a conflict with LLP Policy ED1(C)(i) due to a lack of marketing evidence. However, material considerations, including the oversupply of office space in the area and the unviability of refurbishment, were deemed to outweigh this conflict. The proposal was considered to have an acceptable impact on heritage assets, and while some daylight losses to neighbouring properties were noted, these were deemed acceptable within the urban context. A Section 106 agreement will secure nominations for affordable student accommodation, a carbon offset payment, transport contributions, and employment and skills initiatives.

Lambeth College, 45 Clapham Common South Side, London (Clapham East)

Conditional planning permission was granted for the demolition of the sports hall at Lambeth College's Clapham Campus and the erection of a four-storey extension to provide additional educational floorspace. The proposal is part of the college's estate strategy to rationalise its buildings and consolidate facilities. Concerns were raised by objectors regarding the loss of the sports hall, particularly its use by disabled students and community groups. However, officers noted that the sports hall was primarily a private college facility and considered underutilised, with alternative sports facilities available elsewhere on campus. The extension was deemed acceptable in terms of design, scale, and amenity impact. A Section 106 agreement will secure contributions towards employment and skills initiatives.

202 Lambeth Road, London (Waterloo and South Bank)

The committee refused planning permission for the change of use of 202 Lambeth Road from offices to a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school. While the proposal was considered acceptable in terms of design, heritage impact, and amenity, councillors expressed concerns regarding the loss of employment floorspace without sufficient marketing evidence and the lack of a truly mixed-use scheme. They felt that the impact on the social and economic vitality of the area was not adequately justified. The decision to refuse was made despite officers' assessment that the proposal complied with the development plan overall, highlighting the differing views on the weight to be given to the loss of employment space and the nature of the proposed use. The refusal was delegated to officers to formulate the specific reasons for refusal in conjunction with the Chair.