18/05425/FUL
The Camberwell Society has reviewed the changes made to the above
application and confirms that the reasons for our initial objection to
the proposals (submitted on 12th April 2019) remain largely unaltered.
We object on the following grounds:
1. Excessive Height, Density and Visual Impact
The density of the revised proposal for the Higgs Industrial Estate has
increased and the change to a darker brick will further emphasise the
excessive height, scale and massing.
2. Transport Capacity:
No changes have been made to the revised proposals. Therefore, our
original comments regarding train services running at full capacity and
not being able to cope with a huge increase in additional occupants
remain unchanged.
3. Employment Floorspace:
More commercial accommodation has been added to the scheme, although
there is no evidence that such commercial units are required in the area
and have a long-term future.
4. Infrastructure:
Our original comments remain unchanged.
5. Façade Design:
The replacement of the colonnade feature with more commercial
accommodation leads to a loss of set back and articulation. This
emphasises again the bulkiness of the impenetrable massing of the
development. Page 2 of 2
6. Conclusion:
Our original comments remain unchanged.
The Camberwell Society objected on the following grounds in April 2019,
which remain unchanged except the items mentioned above:
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.