Plan for homes above Tube station approved

Two new high-rise blocks containing council homes and student accommodation will be built above Southwark Tube station, after councillors unanimously approved the plans.

The scheme will see two buildings of nine and 15 storeys on top of, and next to, the Jubilee line station according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The development was a joint venture between Transport for London's (TfL) property company Places for London and developer Helical.

A Southwark Council cabinet member said: "I'm delighted this project to provide 44 much-needed council homes has the green light to move forward."

Under the plans, the smaller building will contain the council homes, while the taller "Bauhaus-inspired" block will house 429 studio apartments for university students.

The council homes will include 15 one-bedroom flats, 13 two-bedroom flats, 15 three-bedroom homes and one four-bedroom property which will be available at a 'social rent' level – the most affordable type of housing.

The development will also feature retail and cafe space on the ground floor of the student block, a shared community garden and a play space next to the new council housing.

In addition, the student building will include a gym, indoor events space and roof garden among other shared facilities.

Southwark Council's Liberal Democrat opposition leader Victor Chamberlain, who represents the ward where the block will be built, said he welcomed plans for more council housing, but criticised the addition of thousands of students to the area as a result of several such developments.

"The council has failed to consult residents on this change or provide the infrastructure we need to accommodate such a change," he told the meeting.

"Ward councillors are urging the council and developers to engage with the community to ensure that their concerns are listened to and mitigated."

A consultation of 340 residents was carried out and of the 11 objections to the proposals, there were concerns about a loss of daylight for neighbouring buildings, pollution and dust during construction, and worries that the student block would cause a rise in antisocial behaviour, noise and disturbance.

However, council officers said the student accommodation would include on-site management, security staff and CCTV to "ensure that any noise and antisocial behaviour can be dealt with immediately".

Matthew Bonning Snook, chief executive officer at Helical, said the plans would "deliver much in demand purpose-built student accommodation and affordable housing, along with high quality public realm and significant benefits to the local community".

Helen Dennis, the council's cabinet member for new homes and sustainable development, said: "We want decent homes for everyone in Southwark and I'm delighted this project to provide 44 much-needed council homes has the green light to move forward."

The Labour councillor added: "I look forward to seeing building works getting started again here soon, delivering new council homes for those in need."

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