Revised Proposals

Optimising the use of brownfield land in a highly accessible location, while simultaneously providing a significant quantum of social housing and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), both of which address clear strategic and acute need.

Increasing the number of affordable homes on the site when compared with the extant consent, from 34 units to 59 units, representing a 76% increase in affordable housing provision. All affordable homes are proposed as social rent, which is recognised as a strategic priority across London, with nearly half (49%) of the proposed affordable homes being family-sized units, responding directly to a recognised borough-wide need.

Providing 918 student bedspaces, of which 450 beds (49%) will be directly let and 468 bedrooms (51%) will be subject to a Nominations Agreement with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a Higher Education Provider (HEI). Of these, 321 student beds (35%) will be delivered as affordable student accommodation, all of which will be secured through the Nominations Agreement. We note that using the London Plan student-to-housing ratio of 2.5:1, the 918 student beds equate to 367 residential units. When combined with the 59 affordable residential units (426 units in total), this represents a 33.5% increase in the overall housing contribution compared with the extant consent of 319 units.

Delivering significant enhancements compared to the extant consent, including a reduction in the height of the proposed towers (by up to 11 metres), a 26% reduction in building footprint allowing for a more generous public realm, a 45% reduction in basement extension, and improved sustainability and energy performance in line with the London Plan (2021). We welcome the significant increase in publicly accessible play space and the provision of high-quality public realm.

Providing affordable community incubator space for local businesses and charities at ground floor within Block A, integrated with the surrounding public realm. The site has been underutilised and has felt uninviting for a long time, with poor lighting and a lack of passive surveillance making it feel unsafe. We strongly support its transformation and look forward to the positive impact and lasting benefits it will bring to the wider community.