FROM THE CAMBERWELL QUARTERLY

Richard Donnell, Chair of Grove Lane Area Residents Association urges locals to give their views on this major site

The site at 10 Love Walk, SE5 has been delivering care to local residents since 1912 when a home for ‘invalid women workers’ was established. The present building was developed in the 1960s with a further wing constructed in 1975. Today, the property operates as a residential care home for adults living with physical disabilities and provides 23 bedrooms operated by Mission Care.

The building is becoming obsolete, and a planning application has recently been lodged for the total redevelopment of the site - see Southwark planning reference 23/AP/0330. The proposal is for a much bigger building, rising to 4 storeys or 23 metres high and almost tripling the number of bedrooms to 63, on what is a small, infill site.

Southwark needs more care beds, and the community supports the need to replace the current building with something that delivers 1) a high-quality environment for future residents, and 2) a building which enhances the character of the local area. Sadly, the current proposals do not deliver on either of these counts.

Love Walk and the surrounding areas are low rise and with special historical character. The sheer scale of the proposed scheme creates a number of adverse impacts which go against many of Southwark’s own policies - see the Grove Lane Area Residents Association (GLARA) objection. Other public comments on the application also question the layout and design of the scheme and the quality of experience this will deliver for future residents.

A planning decision is due in June. Public comments are still welcomed. There are already over 120 comments, the vast majority of which object to the current plans and ask for a total redesign. We would encourage the local community to comment and provide your views on this major site in Camberwell. Contact us on missioncare23@gmail.com