19/AP/0469
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