Community space and 20 flats at 2 Thornlaw Road, London SE27
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Lambeth Planning Applications Committee on 27 Jan 2026.
What was proposed
The application proposed demolishing the existing buildings and constructing a three-, four- and five-storey building with community space and 20 flats.
“Application ref: 24/02054/FUL Site: Thornlaw Road London SE27 0SA Ward: Knights Hill Description: Redevelopment of the site involving the demolition of all existing buildings and erection of a part 3, 4 & part 5 storey building plus basement providing community space (Use Class F2) and 20 residential flats (Use Class C3), together with relocation of vehicular access to the site from Thornlaw Road to Knights Hill, and parking, landscaping and other associated works.”
Officer report
The site and surroundings
The site is on the corner of Thornlaw Road and Knights Hill, opposite Norwood Bus Garage, and currently contains a church, community space and ancillary accommodation.
“↑ To contents 2. Site context and proposal Site description 2.1.1 The application site (“the Site”) is located on the corner of Thornlaw Road and Knights Hill, opposite the Norwood Bus Garage. It is not within a town centre, though is immediately adjacent to the southern boundary of the West Norwood District Centre. It is identified as being an Area of Open Space Deficiency at District and Regional Level.”
Officer report
What consultees said
Consultees raised no objections subject to conditions covering design, trees, ecology, environmental matters, transport, drainage and crime prevention.
“↑ To contents • Condition 14 - Integrated Arboricultural Method Statement (AMS) and Tree Protection Plan (TPP) • Condition 15 - Detailed Tree-Pit Design and Planting Infrastructure • Condition 16 - Landscape and Tree Planting Scheme • Condition 17 – tree replacement (ten year period) Biodiversity and Open space The Ecology officer raised no objections subject to conditions.”
“All recommended conditions are included as follows: • 7 – Detailed design • 8 – Schedule of materials and samples • 11 – external servicing equipment • 16 – landscaping • 22 – waste and recycling storage • 23 – Cycle storage Energy and Sustainability (Blewburton) The sustainability consultant raised no objections subject to conditions.”
Officer report
What members considered
Officers responded to members’ questions before the committee considered the officer recommendation.
“Officers responded to questions from Members.”
“The Chair asked for it to be minuted that the Committee referenced strong feelings around the need for speed reduction measures and preference for a speed camera, and that Officers should continue their work with the police.”
Minutes
The vote
Councillors voted unanimously to grant conditional planning permission, subject to completing a satisfactory Section 106 deed.
“24/02054/FUL It was MOVED by Councillor Malcolm Clark and SECONDED by Councillor Diogo Costa…”
“To grant conditional planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory deed under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 containing the planning obligations as set out in this report, addenda and/or PAC minutes.”
Minutes
The decision
Permission was granted with delegated authority to finalise conditions and planning obligations, with refusal possible if the deed was not completed within six months.
“Agree to delegate authority to the Director of Climate Change, Planning and Transport to: (a). Finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the officer report, addenda and/or PAC minutes; and (b). Negotiate, agree and finalise the planning obligations as set out in the officer report, addenda and/or PAC minutes pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.”
“In the event that a satisfactory Section 106 deed is not completed within six months of the date of the Committee meeting, delegated authority is given to the Director of Climate Change, Planning and Transport to refuse planning permission for failure to enter into a Section 106 deed providing for the obligations considered necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms as identified in the officer report, addenda and/or the PAC minutes.”
Minutes
Sources
- Lambeth Planning Applications Committee minutes, 27 January 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Lambeth's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
Committee decisions and nationwide planning applications, in one API
The Plota API returns planning applications from every council we cover, each with its decision, whether a committee or officers decided it, and the committee date. Build it into your own tools.
See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Lambeth
- Date
- Tuesday 27 January 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Vote
- Unanimous
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Lambeth committee decisions →
This committee's year
19 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.