A new private twelve-storey tower block on Rotherhithe New Road was given the go-ahead by Southwark’s planning committee on Tuesday (February 22), despite concerns about the loss of light for nearby blocks of flats.
The building on the corner of St Helena Road will have 48 flats, twelve of which will be social rent homes. One will be for ‘intermediate’ rent – usually 80 per cent of normal market rates – and the remaining 35 will be private. Five wheelchair-accessible homes will also be included, one of which will be a social rent flat.
The block will replace a barber, a hand car wash – both a single storey – and a patch of green space. Southwark’s planning officers recommended the development for approval, while noting that some homes in neighbouring buildings, particlarly Balman House and 32 Rotherhithe Old Road would lose some sunlight. Tooley Street planners said this was acceptable.
Longstanding small business owner kicked off Rotherhithe site with private block set to be built
The building also falls short on Southwark’s requirements for communal space for residents, which will mean the Croydon-based developer Regent Land and Development has to pay an extra fee to the council.
Chairing the planning meeting, Cllr Kath Whittam said Southwark’s head of council housing Cllr Stephanie Cryan, who was not at the meeting, was concerned about the air quality in the new building, given the business of Rotherhithe New Road. A spokesperson for the developers said they had tested the air quality and it was within legal limits.
Four people objected to the new building on the planning application. No objectors spoke out against the development at the planning meeting on Tuesday. The plans got unanimous approval from the committee.
How is this going to solve the 16,000 housing waiting list Stephanie Crayan keeps banging on about ? It should be 100% social housing !!!