32-flat internal changes at Main Hospital Building (Phase 6C) Springfield Hospital, London SW17

“The applications seek internal changes to parts of the approved ground and first floor layouts of the residential units proposed within Oak Tower and Fir Tower, which form part of the final phase of development relating to the conversion of the Grade II listed former Hospital Main Building.”

“This would be achieved by omitting the ensuite bathroom from the adjacent flat FR01 (in Fir Tower) and incorporating that floorspace into flat OA06 instead. The addition of new internal partitions are proposed to serve the new bedroom to unit OA06. An internal storage cupboard would also be relocated to enable moving the door for the proposed third bedroom further into the living space.”

“There are a variety of existing buildings on the Springfield site, the most dominant of which is the grade II listed Main Hospital Building, to which the applications under consideration in this report relate. This three/four-storey building is located towards the centre of the Springfield site and is partly vacant and in the process of being converted to residential use.”

“The two-three storey grade II listed Elizabeth Newton Wing lies to the south-east of the hospital site and the south-east of the Main Building. In total there are 11 pre-1948 buildings within the overall Springfield site that are either listed by virtue of their curtilage status or subsequent attachment to a listed building, and there are several post-1948 buildings, of varying size and form.”

“The applicants have provided a viability report in support of their position that the development is not able to support any affordable housing provision, and are seeking to omit the currently approved 5 affordable on-site housing units (within an adjacent part of the Main Building) from the scheme. The Council’s independent assessment of the applicants viability appraisal concludes the scheme would deliver a surplus and can support affordable housing delivery.”

“Overall, and in the planning balance, when taking the development plan as a whole, as well as taking account of the existing consent for the site which is a material planning consideration, it is concluded that planning permission should be refused for the substantive reason that the S73 scheme fails to provide an appropriate level of affordable housing.”

“Internal Consultation (and external consultants on behalf of Council) (Responses: summarised as:”

“Biodiversity Officer: The application does not have any landscaping or biodiversity impacts.”

“The Gardens Trust: Do not wish to comment on these applications.”

“Director of Housing (Strategy, Compliance and Enabling) (ADHSCE): The applicant states its economic appraisal shows a viability deficit and, as a result, it no longer proposes to deliver the five affordable onsite units secured by the extant consent.”

“2024/3662) - Main Hospital Building (Phase 6C), Springfield Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Road, SW17 7DJ”

“RESOLVED – (Unanimous) that listed building consent be granted for the reasons set out in the report, noting the additional information as set out in the late items of correspondence paper.”