Proposed extensions, alterations and change of use of the former Camberwell Police Station Section House ‘rear building’ (sui generis) to Nursery (Use Class E f)

The Camberwell Society has no objection to the conversion of this building to a nursery for pre-school children and the basic strategy of removing internal partitions to create spacious rooms seems a good one.

There are some aspects of the design that might be improved:

The form and position of the new first floor extension suggests a glass belvedere, opening up the room behind to views of the outdoors. It was a surprise therefore to find that its proposed use was for WCs. We suggest that the these would be better positioned below the second floor WCs, so that the extension can achieve its potential as a feature which enhances the building and improves the experience of those using it.

The room with no windows on the ground floor, between Rooms 1 and 8, would benefit from having some windows or glazed doors, and the lantern in the corner of that room would perhaps make more impact in the reception area.

The plans for the outdoor play space for the children lack conviction. We think that the application requires a landscape scheme which would change the existing bleak hard surfaced outdoor space to a play garden with trees, shrubs, flowers, soft surfaces and dedicated age appropriate play equipment.

For these reasons the Camberwell Society objects to this application.