34 social rented homes at Elim Estate, Southwark, London SE1

What was proposed

The application proposed 34 social rented homes in two buildings, with community, sports and play facilities, landscaping and car parking.

“Proposal: The construction of 34 social rented homes across two separate buildings, along with the provision of external community / sports / play facilities and associated landscaping and car parking. Ward(s) or groups affected:”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The six sites are within the Elim Estate, which has existing flats, parking, communal gardens, a games area and play space.

“The application covers six sites within the Elim Estate. The Elim Estate is not listed and is not within a conservation area, although the boundary of the Bermondsey Street conservation Area stretches westwards to include the northeast section of Wild's Rents. The Elim Estate comprises 4 four storey blocks with a total of 121 flats, 35 off-street car parking spaces, refuse stores, communal gardens and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) on site 2.”

“Site 2 contains a MUGA of 344sqm and a landscaped area. A children’s play area of approximately 200sqm is to the south west of site 2. The site fronts Long Lane to the north and backs onto an access road and parking area within the estate. There are six trees on the site. The site lies away from the Transport for London and Strategic Road Networks (TLRN and SRN) but there is a Santander cycles docking station directly adjacent to the site.”

Officer report

Earlier permission and court challenge

Permission was granted in 2023, later quashed after the council accepted a flood-risk failure, and the application was returned for a new decision.

“The council previously granted planning permission for the construction of 34 social rented homes across two separate buildings, along with the provision of…”

“On 10 July 2024, the council under Ground 1 (Flood Risk), accepted that the decision to grant planning permission reference 22/AP/1887 was unlawful and should be quashed by reason of the failure in the officer’s report to consider and apply national flood risk policy as set out in paragraphs 165-173 of the National Planning Policy Framework.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission subject to conditions and a legal agreement, with refusal authorised if the agreement was not completed by 15 April 2026.

“That planning permission be granted subject to conditions, the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement no later than 15 April 2026.”

“In the event of the requirements of paragraph 1 above are not met by 15 April 2026, the director of planning and growth be authorised to refuse planning permission, if appropriate, for the reasons set out in paragraph 373.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered housing, flood risk, play and community facilities, design, trees, daylight, transport, environmental matters and equality.

“Principle of the proposed development in terms of land use • Environmental impact assessment • Housing mix, density and residential quality • Affordable housing • Amenity space and children’s play space • Design, including layout, building heights, landscaping and ecology • Heritage considerations • Archaeology • Impact of proposed development on amenity of adjoining occupiers • Transport and highways, including servicing, car and cycle parking • Environmental matters • …”

“Planning obligations (S.106 undertaking or agreement) • Mayoral and borough community infrastructure levy (CIL) • Consultation responses and community engagement • Community impact, equalities assessment and human rights.”

Officer report

What people said

Supporters cited social housing, better landscaping and sports facilities, while objectors raised amenity, flood risk, equality, consultation, transport and legal concerns.

“Much needed Social Housing • Improvements to landscape and the inclusion of green space • Biodiversity improvements • Quality of the design • Enhanced sports facility • Supporters have also commended the applicant on their public consultation.”

“Amenity impacts • Air quality • Consultation • Design issues • Flood risk • Quality of accommodation • Equality Impact Assessment • Strain on existing community facilities • Transport • Equality Impact Assessment • Strain on existing community facilities • Conflict with local plan • General dislike of proposal • Information missing from plans…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Objectors and the applicants addressed the committee and answered members’ questions; ward councillors sent written representations because they could not attend.

Members’ consideration

Members asked officers questions and debated the application before considering a motion to grant permission with amended conditions.

“The committee heard the officer’s introduction to the report. Members of the committee asked questions of the officers.”

“A motion to grant the application subject to conditions and an amended condition set out in the officer’s report, and the addendum report, that were presented during…”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions, an amended play-space condition, a flood-risk condition and a legal agreement by 15 April 2026.

“That planning permission be granted subject to conditions set out in the report and amended Condition 8 below, also the additional condition concerning the flood risk and addendum report; and for the applicant to enter into an appropriate S106 legal agreement no later than 15 April 2026. 2.”

“Details of the proposed play equipment on sites 2 and 4 and associated hard and soft landscaping, shall be submitted to the local planning authority after public consultation with Elim Estate Residents, and should include details of the public engagement undertaken.”

Minutes