39-home redevelopment at 56 - 60 Comber Grove, Camberwell, London SE5

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing existing buildings and building a six-storey residential development with associated landscaping, plant and storage facilities.

“Proposal: Demolition of existing buildings and the redevelopment of the site to provide 39 dwellings (Use Class C3) in a six-storey building, along with associated landscaping, dedicated plant and storage facilities, and other associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a former youth club on the corner of Comber Grove and Redcar Street, with nearby estate housing, open space and listed buildings.

“The estate has a green and spacious character, aided by the blocks being set back from the pavement, often behind green margins, such as Moffat House opposite, and/or large lawned central gardens, including Grenfell House, which neighbours the site to the immediate northeast, and Laing House to the immediate rear.”

“The site is outside a conservation area, and the premises is not listed. The nearest listed buildings are the Grade II terraced housing at 257-281 and 245- 282 Camberwell New Road at its junction with Comber Grove, some 50-60m southwest. The former corner pub and adjacent terrace of 3 early 19th century houses (289-293) are locally listed.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions and a legal agreement, considering the housing, design, transport, ecology, trees and sustainability impacts acceptable.

“That planning permission be granted subject to conditions and the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement.”

“The proposal provides high quality accommodation with good internal space standards and access to daylight. The architectural design is contemporary yet contextual, using robust brickwork and detailing that echoes the design of nearby estate blocks. The regular grid of windows and balconies, interplay of brick tones, ribbed textures, and white accents ensure a rhythmic facade with strong horizontality.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The applicant addressed the committee and answered questions; no objectors, local supporters or ward members spoke.

The committee vote

A motion to grant permission with the report and addendum conditions, including amendments presented at the hearing, was carried.

“A motion to grant the application subject to conditions and amended conditions set out in the officer’s report, and the addendum report, that were presented during the hearing, was moved, seconded, put to the vote and declared carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to conditions, two additional landscaping conditions and a legal agreement, with refusal authorised if the agreement was not completed by 22 January 2027.

“That planning permission be granted subject to conditions and additional conditions regarding the site’s landscaping summarised below; and the applicant entering into an appropriate legal agreement.”

“If the requirements of paragraph 1 above are not met by 22 January 2027, the director of planning and growth be authorised to refuse planning permission, if appropriate, for the reasons set out in paragraph 214 of the report.”

Minutes