Social Value Ideas for Southwark London Borough Council

Affordable housing shortfall

The scheme was assessed against policy P1, which seeks 35% affordable housing, but officers said viability evidence supported a nil affordable housing contribution. Members were unconvinced, especiall…

“Policy P1 of the SEC plan requires developments of 10 or more homes to provide the maximum amount of affordable housing with a minimum target of 35% s…”

Ancillary annex works at Upland Road

The committee also approved a two-storey ancillary accommodation scheme at 67A Upland Road for a disabled homeowner’s family, including demolition of the existing garage, a lift, accessible ancillary …

“So on the addendum report, we're looking at pages 2 to four. Um, the first item is paragraph 11, which is clarification on the site history. ... Lastl…”

Ancillary use legal undertaking

For the Upland Road application, officers and members discussed a unilateral undertaking to permanently tie 67A to the main dwelling at 67C and prevent the annex becoming a separate self-contained dwe…

“In terms of the design, layout and heritage, the existing garage gate dates from the 1980s with little or no heritage value. ... As such, it is consid…”

Key worker rent and eligibility rules

The scheme’s eligibility rules and rent caps for key workers were discussed in detail, including periodic income reviews, household and sharer thresholds, and compliance with GLA guidance. The applica…

“Here we have a breakdown of the keyworker units. We have 19 studios, 19 wheelchair units in the one bed provision. uh 57 one bed, two two person units…”

Wheelchair housing concerns

Members and officers discussed whether the proposed wheelchair-accessible homes were too small, all above ground floor, and served by only one lift. The committee’s refusal reason explicitly cited poo…

“The scheme provides five wheelchair accessible uh/adaptable M43 homes exceeding the overall habitable room policy requirement for housing uh wheelchai…”

Need for larger family homes

Members and objectors highlighted that the scheme is heavily weighted toward studios and one-bed units, with concern that key workers with families need larger homes. The applicant said the scheme is …

“I think it's the from what I can tell they're all just um single bed units and single aspect. and whether there was well anything in the requirements …”

Roof terrace hours restricted

Members amended the planning condition for the school roof terrace so it may only be used on weekdays between 8am and 6pm, with no weekend or public holiday use. This was a direct mitigation to reduce…

“Uh, I'll run through that further in my presentation. >> So if you like to carry on with your presentation, thanks. >> Thank you chair. ... So, this i…”

Elaine School replacement building

Planning permission was granted for a major replacement school building at Elaine School, involving demolition of the existing dining hall and construction of a part one-, two- and three-storey educat…

“Thank you chair. Uh so item 6.1 at Elaine School Townley Road SE228SU is a full planning application for the demolition and replacement of the school …”

School decarbonisation measures

The Elaine School scheme is framed as part of a wider decarbonisation strategy, with full electrification, air-source heat pumps, solar PV, green roofs and battery storage/microgrid elements reference…

“So in terms of the design, we have considered this and the proposed building is arranged as a four stepped volumes to reduce the visual b bulk and mov…”

Temporary school marquee approved

A temporary dining marquee at Alain School was approved to support dining capacity during construction of the new dining hall. The structure is temporary, reversible and reusable, and will be powered …

“Thank you chair. Uh as mentioned this application is at Elaine School Townley Road and is for the temporary erection of a dining marquee until the 31s…”

School community use agreement

The committee required a section 106 community use agreement for the new Elaine School building, including the schedule of community facilities, access arrangements, days and times of availability, ma…

“Uh, in terms of the planning assessment uh for the principle of development there is no change of use proposed. So it would still be a educational bui…”

Council refused appeal stance

Members resolved that if they had determined the application, they would have refused it. The refusal reasons focused on poor residential accommodation, especially wheelchair-accessible units, and fai…

“I would like to propose a motion um that if the committee had determined the application it would have been refused uh if it would uh sorry that if th…”

Section 106 package and CIL sought

The proposal carries a substantial planning obligations package, including affordable housing mechanisms, a contested £1 million payment in lieu, a £53,200 contribution toward Ry Lane healthy streets …

“There is a planning obligation for affordable housing, social rented and intermediate homes. So there is a standard mechanism in there and then there …”