Student and affordable homes at Southwark Underground Station, Southwark, London SE1

What was proposed

The application proposed a 15-storey student building, a nine-storey building with 44 affordable homes, and associated retail, community and site works.

“Development Management planning application: Application 24/AP/2770 for: Full Planning Application…”

“Proposal: Demolition and redevelopment to provide a purpose built student accommodation building of 15 storeys (plus basement and rooftop plant) with retail and/or café uses within Use Class E on the ground floor, and a residential building of 9 storeys (plus rooftop plant) to accommodate 44 affordable residential homes within Use Class C3, with community uses within Use Class F1 on the ground floor; together with cycle parking, refuse/recycling storage, servicing,…”

Officer report

The station became listed

The station was statutorily listed after the committee’s earlier resolution to grant permission, requiring special regard to its significance and setting.

“On 5 March 2025, the planning committee resolved to grant planning permission for redevelopment of the site for two buildings, a 15-storey student building with 429 rooms and a nine-storey affordable housing block which would be provided to the council as 44 council homes.”

“At the time the committee considered the application, Historic England were assessing Southwark Underground Station for listing. Historic England, in response to the planning application, confirmed they did not wish to raise any significant concerns with respect to the impact on heritage which was detailed in the committee report.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions, a section 106 agreement and referral to the Mayor of London.

“That planning permission by granted for application ref. 24/AP/2770 subject to conditions, the completion of a section 106 legal agreement and referral to the Mayor of London…”

“That the director of planning and growth be authorised under delegated authority to make any minor modifications to the proposed conditions arising out of detailed negotiations, which may include variation and addition of conditions as draft; and…”

Officer report

Effect on the listed station

Officers considered that the development would preserve the station’s significance, while public benefits including 44 social rent homes outweighed less than substantial harm.

“Officers’ advice to the committee is that the development would not harmfully affect the setting of the listed building and would preserve its significance because of the sensitive design of the development and the fact that the main architectural interest of the station comprising the main entrance portal and its internal spaces would not be harmfully affected by the development. Historic England have provided updated comments following the listing of the station.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Historic England did not object, identified less than substantial harm and recommended a condition addressing structural stability during construction.

“These public benefits outweigh the less than substantial harm Historic England have identified. Historic England have also recommended that conditions be imposed on any planning consent and future listed building consent to ensure the structural stability of the listed building through the construction phase and that the report be undertaken by an accredited specialist.”

“If the impact of the Affordable Housing building on its own (without the intervening PBSA building)is considered its impact on the listed buildings setting is not considered to be harmful given that it is of a similar in size to Styles House itself which was in place when the station was constructed. (visible here in the background together with Columbo House on the RHS).”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor addressed the committee, while no objectors, applicants or nearby supporters spoke.

Members discussed the application

Members questioned officers after the introduction and then discussed the application.

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

“Members of the committee put further quesitons to officers and discussed the application.”

Minutes

The committee voted

A motion to grant permission as set out in the papers was moved, seconded and carried.

“A motion to grant planning permission as on paper was moved, seconded, put to the vote and declared carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions, completion of a section 106 agreement and referral to the Mayor of London.

“That planning permission be granted for application ref 24/AP/2770 subject to conditions, the completion of a section 106 legal agreement and referral to the Mayor of London…”

“If by 30 June 2026 the s106 legal agreement has not been completed, the director of planning and growth be authorised to refuse planning permission, if appropriate for the reasons set out in paragraphs 376 to 382 of the March report.”

Minutes