A Twitter storm erupted last month when a local campaign group pointed out that a 770-bedroom student accommodation in Canada Water had just 23 social rent properties, prompting the News to investigate.
Just 11 per cent of its rooms are classed as affordable housing, below the council’s policy of 35 per cent, which existed at the time and still does today.
Research has revealed how King’s College London sidestepped Southwark’s affordable housing policy. Council documents show they argued that the development would not be financially viable with more affordable homes, thereby getting permission to build the student halls on the former Mulberry Business Park in 2013.
23 social rent out of a total 770 units.
Not really something to shout about is it? https://t.co/g0YPCppJNN— 35% Campaign (@35percent_EAN) March 22, 2023
A council officer’s report also said the reduced number would not compromise affordable housing delivery targets in Canada Water, and that there was a need for more students in the area.
The report said the lower amount of affordable housing could be accepted given the “job creation and the reputational benefits of a world class educational institution locating in this part of the borough”.
Carvil, a strategic communications company founded by Kim Humphreys, former deputy leader and executive member for housing at Southwark Council, led the scheme’s ‘public affairs and stakeholder engagement programme’.
While there is no suggestion that KCL or Southwark Council broke planning regulations, a tweet from the housing campaign group the 35% Campaign highlighting the perceived lack of affordable housing was liked and retweeted over 100 times.
Even the 11 per cent affordable housing figure is only correct when accounting for numerous planning policy technicalities.
Affordable housing is calculated by habitable room which in this instance makes it 93 out of 949 affordable habitable rooms – less than 10 per cent.
But rooms over 27.5sqm count as two habitable rooms, equating to 104 affordable rooms out of 960 – 11 per cent.
KCL is currently advertising ensuite rooms for £289 per week. The viability assessment which paved the way for planning permission was based on en suites being let for £190 per week.
In 2020, the development was sold to student housing company Scape but KCL secured a nomination agreement for 401 beds.
Scape is advertising ‘en suites’ from this July at rates between £279 and £335pw.
Last month, developer Wandle announced the purchase of the 33 affordable units from Scape, with residents set to move in this month.
Southwark Council says its planning policies have “moved on” since then and that it would have insisted on 35 per cent affordable under current policies.
Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “It has been ten years since this scheme was approved and our policy and approach since then has moved on.
“Southwark now has policies in place for student schemes to deliver affordable student accommodation and in non-nominated schemes, conventional affordable housing, going beyond the requirements of the London Plan.
“Under the terms of our new policy, we would have required a minimum of 35% affordable housing in this non-nominated scheme, and our recent track record in securing this through the planning process is strong.”
Both King’s College London and Carvill Ventures declined to comment.
Scape was approached for comment.