Through the work of the sub-committee, the Society has been instrumental in saving many buildings of note including Addington Square, Denmark Hill Station and part of Windsor Walk. The Society has also been instrumental in influencing new development to make a positive contribution to the area, and works with local residents and tenants groups where there are common issues. The current composition of the Planning sub-committee is: Tim Gaymer, Anthony Kyrke-Smith, Elizabeth Borowiecka, Jason Leech, Robert Potz, Jonathan Hunt, Paul Cohoon, Somayya Yaqub, Michael Galt and Tom Harvey. Potential new members are welcome to attend a meeting as an observer initially. The Society is currently under represented by members from the Myatt Fields and Brunswick Park areas.
1-13 SOUTHAMPTON WAY, SE5 7SW
Application Reference & Link: 21/AP/0451
The Camberwell Society provides an objection to this proposal. Whilst the Principle of Development is supported as outlined below, the proposed height of the development cannot be supported.
The proposal includes redevelopment of a brownfield site on Metropolitan Open Land, to replace an industrial use. Camberwell Society would object to residential development on greenfield Metropolitan Open Land in principle; however, the proposal of 100% affordable residential development and public amenity (café) to replace an incongruous industrial use (a brownfield site, which detracts from local character and nearby Conservation Areas) is deemed to be of substantive public benefit to override concerns of re-development of brownfield MOL.
The principle of development on the site is supported, if and only if a large portion of the site is gifted to Southwark Council to incorporate into Burgess Park (through s106 agreement). Currently 34% of the site is to be gifted to Southwark Council, the boundary of which will provide a more coherent and rational park edge to the east of the site. This condition for development is accepted.
The Camberwell Society strongly objects to the scale of development regarding overall height, with a view that any development immediately adjacent to the park should be 6 storeys (18 m) as a maximum. This is to ensure development does not exceed the height of the mature tree line, and therefore does not appear overbearing to the park. The adjacent residential properties to the south are 3 storeys, and Camberwell Society consider a building of twice the context height to constitute a tall building. Camberwell Society argue strongly that this location is not acceptable for a tall building.
The proposed height of seven storeys would set a precedent of development of tall buildings in this location, to which the Camberwell Society strongly objects.
The Camberwell Society welcome the incorporation of a public amenity (café) at ground floor. As a condition for development, Camberwell Society would like to see a public 'water-point' provided, as well as publicly accessible toilets (either as part of the café, or ancillary to it).
The Camberwell Society welcome the high UGF (0.48) of the development and request a condition (should permission be granted) to ensure this is maintained through detailed design and construction. Camberwell Society would request that a further condition is applied to the landscape design, to ensure that a high-quality, and highly bio-diverse landscape which seamlessly ties into the existing park is delivered.
Conclusion
The Camberwell Society supports the principle of development, when considering the 100% affordable housing offer combined with the regeneration of a brownfield site and the gifting of 34% of the site to be incorporated into Burgess Park. The Camberwell Society objects strongly to the height of development, which would constitute a tall building. Development should be restricted to 6 storeys maximum in this location (and all sites immediately adjacent to Burgess Park).
The Camberwell Society therefore objects to this proposal.