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.
19/AP/0469 | 21-23 PARKHOUSE STREET, LONDON, SE5 7TQ
| Demolition of existing building and erection of two blocks (Block A and Block B) of 5 storeys and part-7/part-10 storeys (total AOD 35.86m). Block A comprises 5-storey block for commercial/employment use (962 sqm). Block B comprises ground floor commercial/employment use (129sqm) and 33 residential dwellings (3 x studios; 6 x 1b flats, 18 x 2b flats, 6 x 3b flats) and 1 accessible car parking spaces with associated landscaping, cycle parking and refuse store. |
The Camberwell Society objects on the following grounds:
1. Height, Density and Visual Impact
The new proposal for this site on the edge of Burgess Park is for a 10 storey high building with an adjacent 5 storey block. The site has not been identified in the local plan for tall buildings and therefore does not comply with Southwark's own policies. The scale and height of the proposal also would not fit into the local streetscape and the visual impact would be overwhelming, as it would not respect the low-rise character of the area. The 10 storey high element of the development would have a negative impact on views from Burgess Park and would also affect the nearby Grade II listed former church of St George.
2. Exemplary Design
We do not believe that the proposal is of 'exemplary design' because of the following reasons:
- The development will provide 805 habitable rooms per hectare, but the acceptable range for this site is 200-700 habitable rooms per hectare. Therefore, the density is too high.
- 9.1% of the dwellings are studio flats, but the maximum should only be 6%.
- Only 18.2% of the residential units are suitable for at least 5 occupants (the minimum is 20%).
- Bathrooms do not have natural light.
3. Impact on Burgess Park:
The proposal would have a detrimental impact on Burgess Park, a 'Site of Importance for Nature Conservation' (SINC), overshadowing the wildlife area and affecting users of the park. There has been no ecological assessment of the implications for biodiversity.
4. Conclusion
In summary, this proposal does not comply with various planning policies and therefore should be refused