Student accommodation building at 250 Kennington Lane, London SE11

“The application proposes demolition of the existing buildings and structures on the site and their replacement with an eight storey building to provide 177 student accommodation bedrooms (Use Class Sui Generis) on the upper floors, a café (Use Class E (b)) at ground floor level with a flexible venue space at basement level (Use Class Sui Generis).”

“↑ To contents 2.2.5 The flexible venue space at basement level would be predominantly used for student events. It would also be for external use (including hire) for large social gatherings, conference and networking events, music and performances, as well as community use. The café/bar lounge space at ground level would be used primarily as a hub for students and the community.”

“The application site (‘Site’) is located on the northern side of Kennington Lane and extends through to Dolland Street where it has a second frontage. It contains post-war commercial buildings including a six storey office building on the eastern side of the Site, which steps down to two storeys on the western side of the Site. An area of hardstanding used for car parking is located between the two storey part of the building and Kennington Lane.”

“Figure 1: Aerial view of the Site outlined in red, facing east 2.1.2 The surrounding area contains a mixture of uses and character. Immediately adjoining to the west and fronting Vauxhall Street (135 – 143 Vauxhall St) is a row of three storey residential terraces. The adjoining property at the junction of Kennington Lane and Vauxhall Street contains a three storey residential property, containing six flats.”

“No objections raised subject to conditions securing the following: • Ground contamination investigation and remediation strategy and verification report; • Basement Hydrogeology; • Piling; • Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP); • Air Quality; • Details of external plant including noise levels; details of noise and vibration attenuation measures; • Overheating mitigation; • Management Plan for Public and Community Uses; • Delivery and Servicing Management Plan;…”

“↑ To contents external landscaping scheme that provides colour, amenity and ecological interest. Condition to secure landscaping and green roof details recommended. Planning Policy The proposed development would result in a loss of office floorspace. The criteria set out under LLP policy ED1 part C have not been satisfied. Therefore, this loss is not supported. The applicant proposes a food and drink use at ground floor level.”

“25/01611/FUL Further to a discussion, Councillor Issa Issa moved to vote on the Officer’s recommendation to…”

“An alternative motion was MOVED by Councillor Joanne Simpson and SECONDED by Councillor Malcolm Clark to not accept Officer’s recommendation and refuse planning permission for reason(s) relating to the loss of office, lack of marketing evidence, harm to employment and lack of genuine mixed use.”

“And RESOLVED With two votes For and three Against.”

“And RESOLVED With three votes For, one Against and one Abstention.”

“To refuse planning permission for reason(s) relating to the loss of office, lack of marketing evidence, harm to employment and lack of genuine mixed use with the precise wording for the reason(s) delegated to Officers to agree in consultation with the Chair and if there is a subsequent appeal, delegated authority is given to the Director of Planning, Transport and Sustainability, having regard to the heads of terms set out in the report, addenda and/or PAC minutes, to…”