Flexible Class E use at Units 1 To 15 Graphite Square, London SE11

“↑ To contents 1. Summary of application 1.1 Executive summary 1.1.1 [the applicant] Limited has applied for planning permission for the change of use of an existing vacant office space to a flexible use comprising one or more of the following uses: Use Use Class Retail E(a) Food and drink to visiting members of the public E(b) Indoor sport, recreation or fitness E(d) Provision of medical or health services E(e) Office E(g)(i)”

“The proposed change of use would take place at basement, ground and first floor levels and it is understood that Sainsbury’s will take on approximately 500 sqm of floorspace at ground floor level (Use Class E(a)) and the NHS will take on a further 1,700 sqm at ground and first floor level (Use Class E(e)), subject to permission being granted.”

“The application site (‘the Site’) is the recently completed Graphite Square development that occupies most of the block of land bound by Vauxhall Walk, Jonathan Street, Worgan Street and Glasshouse Walk. It comprises a four storey podium with three taller blocks above, rising up to 14 storeys. As consented, the podium levels contain offices, a church and a flexible retail/café/office unit. The tower levels contain 160 residential units.”

“Figure 1: Graphite Square (outlined in red) as seen looking westward (Source: Google Earth) 2.1.2 This application relates to the commercial space at basement, ground and first floors that are in office use (Former B1 Use Class, current E (g)(i) Use Class). Although recently completed, these floors are not currently occupied.”

“↑ To contents 2.3.2 Permission was granted at appeal on 25 September 2019 (ref: 17/02936/FUL) for demolition of existing office, warehouse and church buildings (Use Classes B1, B8 and D1), and redevelopment of the site to provide a residential led mixed-use development with a podium building of ground plus 3 storeys (fronting onto Worgan Street) connecting a ground plus 9 storey building (fronting onto Worgan Street), a ground plus 13 storey building (fronting onto Worgan…”

“The Council is also currently considering planning permission and advertisement consent applications (ref: 25/02896/FUL and 25/02897/ADV) for the installation of fascia and projecting signage, new ventilation louvre and alteration to existing entrance. This relates to use of part of the ground floor by Sainsbury’s (Use Class E(a)) which would be permitted by this application.”

“Part (i) of LLP Policy ED1C requires evidence that the office space has been vacant and continuously marketed for a period of at least two years. The applicant has submitted a letter of appointment to USP indicating that their marketing began in September 2023. This letter also contains details of the marketing undertaken and this has been assessed against the guidance in Lambeth’s Planning Guidance Note on the Marketing of Business Premises.”

“4,207 sqm), ensuring that the change of use would not result in the complete loss of office floorspace that Policy ED1 C seeks to guard against. The remaining level of office floorspace would also be greater than the office floorspace that existed on the Site (i.e. 3,893 sqm) before its redevelopment. Given the current office floorspace is recently built and not occupied, there would not be a loss of office floorspace in real terms.”

“↑ To contents 3. Consultation and engagement 3.1 Pre-application engagement 3.1.1 The applicant has entered into a Planning Performance Agreement with the LPA. Consultation by applicant 3.2.1 None 3.3 Application consultation - public consultation 3.3.1 Public consultation was undertaken in accordance with statutory and the Council’s requirements. Letters were sent to a total of 141 properties surrounding the application site.”

“No response received. Noted Fennington and Richbourne Association No response received. Noted Durand Gardens Residents Association No response received. Noted IMPACT No response received. Noted. Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall Forum No response received. Noted.”

“24/03497/FUL It was MOVED by Councillor Joanne Simpson and SECONDED by Councillor Emma Nye…”

“To grant conditional planning permission subject to the completion of a satisfactory deed made pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 containing the planning obligations as set out in the officer report, addenda and/or Planning Applications Committee (PAC) minutes.”

“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 satisfactory 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.”