A joint venture between Places for London, TfL’s property company, and central London developer Helical, has received a resolution to grant planning approval from the London Borough of Southwark for the development of a 15 storey purpose-built student accommodation scheme (PBSA), comprising 429 studio apartments, and an adjacent nine storey building comprising 44 affordable homes, above Southwark Tube station.
Designed by architects AHMM, the development will include a new Bauhaus-inspired block which will house the PBSA element, which will offer students a best in class experience in what is one of London’s best-connected Zone 1 locations. With several universities within a short journey from the station, the new development will also help to alleviate the demand on the private rental market in the area.
The joint venture is targeting a 4.5-star Home Quality Mark for the scheme’s affordable housing provision. It will also offer new retail space and community space including a shared community garden, as well as improvements to the public realm through an increase in the amount of greenery and provision of active frontages on the Cut and Isabella Street.
Future residents of the development will benefit from easy and fast public transport connections across the capital with London Bridge and Waterloo within walking distance. Being in zone 1, the development sits within some of the best of what city has to offer with theatres, restaurants and more on its doorstep.
Scott Anderson, Head of Property Development at Places for London, said: “It’s wonderful news to have received approval for our over station development above Southwark station. Designed to preserve the architectural heritage of the station and aiming for the highest of sustainability standards, our plans with Helical will bring new homes and provide real benefits for London. We’re proud to be providing improvements to the local community through new high-quality and affordable homes and student accommodation which will help to alleviate pressure on the housing market in the area.
“We’re glad to be able to move forward with our plans where residents will benefit from new, high-quality public spaces, including a community garden space, new play spaces for children and shops around the station.”
