The Lambeth Council Planning Applications Committee met on Tuesday 29 July 2025, to discuss several planning applications, including proposals for a hotel, student accommodation, and residential developments. The committee approved all officer recommendations, with amendments made to one application concerning visitor management and London Living Wage aspirations.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Diogo Costa, Policy Lead for Digital, Data and Insight, declared a non-pecuniary interest in the 8 Harleyford Street application, as part of the Kenton Park estate is in his ward and he had been contacted by members of the Kenton Park community centre. He confirmed he would keep an open mind. Councillor Malcolm Clarke, Councillor in Streatham Wells and Vice Chair of the Planning Applications Committee, declared a non-pecuniary interest in the 6-12 Kennington Lane application, as his wife works for a university in London, though not the one named in the application, and that he would keep an open mind. Councillor Ibrahim Dogus declared that one application was in his ward, but that he kept an open mind.

Minutes Approved

The committee approved the minutes from the meetings held on Tuesday 6 May 2025, and Tuesday 1 July 2025.

Phoenix House, 10 Wandsworth Road

The committee approved the change of use of Phoenix House from office to a 180-room hotel with an ancillary restaurant, including a replacement of the main entrance door.

• The proposal involves converting the 11-storey building at 10 Wandsworth Road from office space (Use Class EG1) to a hotel (Use Class C1) with an ancillary restaurant. The building has been vacant for six years, and the applicant provided evidence that there is no demand for the office space and that refurbishment would be unviable.
• Blythe Dunk, planning agent at Jones Angus South, spoke in support of the application on behalf of Whitbread PLC, the applicant, stating that the location fits the plan for Premier Inn in central London, and that the development benefits from retaining the embodied carbon of the existing building.
• Councillor Martin Bailey, Chair of Pensions Committee, submitted a statement, read by an officer, supporting the application but urging the committee to include an informative in the approval encouraging the operator and the contractors to pay at least the London Living Wage.[^2] [^2]: The London Living Wage is an independently calculated hourly rate of pay, higher than the government minimum, based on the cost of living in London.
• Councillor Saliha Jaffa, Deputy Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, raised questions about the lack of car parking, accessibility considerations, and traffic management during construction. Officers clarified that there would be one blue badge parking space, level access, and that a construction logistics plan would be required to minimise traffic impacts.
• Councillor Dio Costa, Policy Lead for Digital, Data and Insight, sought clarification on the evidence of demand for hotel use and the assessment of over-concentration of hotels in the Vauxhall area. Officers explained that London Plan policy supports hotels in central activity zones and opportunity areas, and that there was not considered to be an over-concentration of hotels in the Vauxhall area.
• The committee amended condition 38 on the visitor management plan to add a specific reference to visitor drop-off and pick-up arrangements for taxis and private hire vehicles. They also added an informative encouraging the applicant to aspire to become a London Living Wage employer, particularly for this site, and to work with Lambeth Council and other relevant partners towards that goal.

6-12 Kennington Lane

The committee approved the demolition of existing buildings at 6-12 Kennington Lane and erection of a mixed-use development consisting of student accommodation, industrial space, and community space, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.

• The proposal involves demolishing existing buildings at 6-12 Kennington Lane and constructing a mixed-use development with 511 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) rooms, 2,241 square metres of industrial space, and 499 square metres of community space. The site, along with Wooden Spring House, is part of Site 7 in the Lambeth Site Allocation Development Plan document.
• Keith Hollyhead, Senior Director of Portfolio Management at King's College London, spoke in support, noting the location's good transport links to their campuses and the alignment of the accommodation with their students' expectations. He also mentioned that 30% of rooms would be at affordable rent.
• A statement by David Vaughan, Assistant Director of Property and Asset Management at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, was read by Raina England, explaining that the Trust will occupy the community space to deliver outpatient services to local residents.
• Kirstie Reynolds from Unite Students spoke in support, highlighting the company's experience and partnerships, the scheme's community focus, and the £2.7 million payment in lieu to Lambeth to fund family housing.
• Councillor Costa questioned the evidence of demand for hotel use in the area.
• Councillor Jaffa asked about the accessibility of the community space for diverse communities and whether it would be used for educational purposes and skills development. Officers clarified that the space is intended for healthcare facilities provided by Guy's and St Thomas' Trust, but could accommodate other uses if that arrangement falls through.
• Councillor Ibrahim Dogus raised concerns about the community space not being open for local communities to use for gatherings or projects.
• Councillor Paul Valentine expressed reservations about the 30% affordable housing and the £2.7 million payment in lieu, questioning whether it was sufficient.
• The committee approved the officer's recommendations, with an informative added to encourage the end user of the community space to recognise the widest benefit and diverse set of residents in Lambeth. They also minuted the committee's encouragement for C3 housing if the Wooden Spoon House site becomes available in the future.

8 Harleyford Street

The committee approved the construction of a five-story building at 8 Harleyford Street with eight social rent residential units and community space, along with the refurbishment and extension of the Kennington Park Community Centre.

• The proposal involves demolishing the existing office building at 8a Harleyford Street and constructing a five-story building with eight social rent residential units and community space, as well as refurbishing and extending the Kennington Park Community Centre.
• Joan Twelves, chair of the Kennington Park Estate Tenants and Residents Association and of the Board of Trustees of Kennington Park Community Centre Community Benefits Society, spoke in support, expressing excitement about the new centre and its benefits for the local community.
• Max Goode from Carbster, a planning agent, spoke in support, highlighting the collaboration with the council and the delivery of affordable homes and improved community facilities.
• Marilyn Evers, a resident of Kennington Park Estate, spoke in support, emphasising the council's long-standing support for the community centre.
• Councillor Costa asked about the destination of the off-site playground payment, requesting it be earmarked for the North Lambeth Estate, which has a poor children's playground. Officers clarified that the payment would go to the nearest open space, likely the Triangle Adventure Playground or South Lambeth Estate.
• Councillor Valentine asked about the social housing provider, Hyde, and whether they were being good in Lambeth, given an ombudsman investigation into the organisation. Officers clarified that the character of an applicant could not be taken into account.
• The committee approved the officer's recommendations, with an informative to minute the committee's wishes for the playground payment to be directed towards the South Lambeth estate.

Land Rear Of 472 Wandsworth Road

The committee approved the construction of a building ranging from 3 to 6 storeys to provide light industrial commercial space and 21 self-contained flats at Land Rear Of 472 Wandsworth Road.

• The proposal involves demolishing existing buildings at Land Rear Of 472 Wandsworth Road and constructing a building ranging from 3 to 6 storeys, providing light industrial commercial space and 21 self-contained flats.
• Councillor Jaffa asked for more information about the impact on neighbouring properties due to daylight and sunlight. A technical specialist clarified that the development has been designed to respect neighbouring property with careful consideration given to privacy, outlook, enclosure, daylight, sunlight, noise and general residential amenity.
• Councillor Valentine asked about the cash contribution to social housing, given that the proposed units are all private market rate. Officers clarified that the £305,000 would go towards the council's affordable housing program.
• The committee approved the officer's recommendations.

60 and 65 Sancroft Street

The committee approved minor external works to the existing building at 60 Sancroft Street to allow for use as self-contained single occupancy accommodation, and the demolition of the existing building at 65 Sancroft Street to allow for the construction of a new residential building, with associated community facilities, landscaping, refuse, cycle and amenity provisions.

• The proposal involves refurbishing 60 Sancroft Street to create 16 affordable independent living units managed by Centrepoint, and demolishing 65 Sancroft Street to construct a new residential building with 23 flats.
• Philip Dunphy from Causeway Planning, acting on behalf of the Duchy of Cornwall, spoke in support, highlighting the Duchy's commitment to delivering high-quality projects with attention to design, sustainability, and social value.
• Michelle Donovan, Head of Independent Living at Centrepoint, spoke in support, explaining that the independent living homes would help formerly homeless young people move on from council accommodation and live independently.
• Councillor Martin Bailey submitted a statement, read by an officer, commending the Duchy of Cornwall for their engagement and the scheme's delivery of essential social value.
• A committee member asked about the room sizes, which are smaller than policy, and whether Centrepoint had experience of this type of accommodation. A representative from Centrepoint clarified that they have experience running Reuben House in Peckham, which has even smaller units.
• The committee approved the officer's recommendations.

At the end of the meeting, Councillor Malcolm Clark announced that Stephen Bonds, Senior Planner, was leaving the council and thanked him for his service.