Lambeth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Kennington residents urge Lambeth Council to reject a 17-storey student housing proposal set to replace an old job centre near a Grade II-listed park.
The Job Centre Plus building on Kennington Park Road would be replaced by the skyscraper, which was proposed by developer Standard Securities Ltd. Nearly 200 student rooms will be housed there, with offices on the first and ground floors.
This Friday, June 6, is the last day for the public to object to the planning application. Out of the 449 comments that have been filed thus far, 39 are in favor of the plan and 401 are against it.
The tower is “too tall” for the region, according to Build Better Kennington 409, a group of locals opposed to the development, and it would loom over the nearby low-rise buildings, which are between two and four stories high.
According to them, the construction will “dwarf” Grade-2 listed Kennington Park and be visible from the majority of the adjacent Conservation Area, which includes the 18th-century Georgian terraced buildings in Kennington.
This designation grants additional planning safeguards to areas of architectural significance.
The lack of social and affordable housing, the pavement’s shortening at the busy intersection with Kennington Park Road, and the possible loss of sunshine to nearby residences were among the other issues brought up by protesters.
A spokesperson for Standard Securities Ltd said:
“The team has worked really hard to create a high-quality design that reflects the character of the local area, revitalises this important corner, and provides much-needed student housing.
191 student rooms will ease pressure on the private rental market by freeing up family homes and our application will contribute toward affordable housing.
We think the site is appropriate for these proposals, as it’s close to two underground stations and surrounding emerging taller developments.”
He said that a full daylight and sunlight report has been carried out, confirming compliance with national guidelines and minimal impact on neighbouring buildings.
The ground floor architecture and building lines have been designed to improve the pedestrian experience along Kennington Road and Kennington Park Road, redefining the road junction and making better use of the public space.
The proposals also include multiple entrances and high-quality glazing to activate the building frontage, improve safety, and enhance the overall feel of the street. They believe it will be a positive addition to the area.
How will the 17-storey student housing affect Kennington’s community character?
The area’s traditionally scaled architecture and harmony would be disrupted by the building’s height and massing, which would overwhelm the mostly low-rise community around it.
Due to the tower’s scale, neighboring households may experience less privacy and sunlight, which would lower their quality of life and make it harder for them to enjoy outdoor areas like Kennington Park.
According to studies neighbors cite, towering, mismatched high-rises in low-rise areas can weaken the sense of community in the area and can cause social and psychological problems.
The expansion, which is situated on one of London‘s busiest routes, is anticipated to worsen local traffic, placing additional burden on public areas and infrastructure.
Locals contend that although expansion is required, the neighborhood’s social cohesion, sustainability, and charm shouldn’t be sacrificed in the process.