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.
18/05425/FUL | HIGGS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, HERNE HILL ROAD, LONDON, SE24
The Camberwell Society objects on the following grounds:
1. Excessive Height, Density and Visual Impact
The new proposal for the Higgs Industrial Estate includes a 17 storey high building with an adjacent 11 storey block. Other proposed buildings on the site rise from 2 - 8 storeys. We believe that the maximum height in this location should be no more than 8 storeys, as in the previous approved design. The site has not been identified in the local plan for tall buildings and therefore does not comply with Lambeth'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. The tall elements of the development would have an impact on views from Ruskin Park and would also affect the nearby Loughborough Park Conservation Area.
2. Transport Capacity:
City-bound train services stopping at Loughborough Junction Station are at full capacity at the moment and would not be able to cope with the significant increase in resident numbers. Local bus routes are also already overloaded.
The development is car free and residents would not have the option of driving to work either.
3. Employment Floorspace:
In principal we welcome that employment floorspace is retained, but the proposed increase by 11% compared to the previous application leads to the massive overdevelopment of the scheme. The proximity of commercial units to the residential accommodation would also restrict its use which raises the question if all of the employment floorspace can be fully used and rented.
4. Infrastructure:
Not only run trains and buses at full capacity but also are schools and GP surgeries oversubscribed. Another massive increase in resident numbers would cause more pressure on these services and it is questionable if existing schools and surgeries would have enough space to expand.
5. Façade Design:
All street facing facades are brick clad and reinforce the bulky appearance of the whole scheme. The lack of any setbacks of the elevations along Herne Hill Road would not allow for sufficient space for any trees. The design fails to conform to Lambeth Local Plan policies Q8 and Q9.
6. Conclusion:
In summary, this proposal does not comply with various Lambeth’s planning policies and therefore should be refused.