Stop the Blocks in Kennington

Stop The Blocks
Community Action Group

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Stop The Blocks
Community Action Group

Stop The Blocks Community Action Group Stop The Blocks Community Action Group Stop The Blocks Community Action Group
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    • Home
    • PUBLIC INQUIRY
    • Donate
    • The Proposals
    • Housing
    • Town, Heritage & Visuals
    • Key Concerns
    • DAY, SUN & OVERSHADOWING
    • Quality of Amenity Space
    • Lambeth Planning
    • Speak at the inquiry
    • Community Support
    • Latest News
    • Your Community
    • Contact Us
    • Documents

  • Home
  • PUBLIC INQUIRY
  • Donate
  • The Proposals
  • Housing
  • Town, Heritage & Visuals
  • Key Concerns
  • DAY, SUN & OVERSHADOWING
  • Quality of Amenity Space
  • Lambeth Planning
  • Speak at the inquiry
  • Community Support
  • Latest News
  • Your Community
  • Contact Us
  • Documents
Hello

Welcome

A public inquiry is due to commence on Tuesday 17 November 2020, where the Planning Inspectorate will be examining the proposed development scheme by the developer (Anthology/Lifestory Group), for the redevelopment of the former Woodlands nursing home site off Dugard Way in Kennington.

3D View of the Proposed 29-storey tower block and 4 storey mansion block

The "Kennington STAGE" SCHEME

Background

The developer (Anthology/Lifestory Group) submitted proposals to build a 258-unit development including a 29-storey tower block on the former Woodlands Nursing home site (off Dugard Way in Kennington). If this one goes ahead, you will see more blocks being built in the area bordered by Kennington Lane, Kennington Road and St Georges Road.

The 29 storey tower is expected to be 98.25m (322 ft) tall. For comparisons , Big Ben is 96m tall (315 feet).   

The developer is now seeking a public inquiry to determine their planning application which is scheduled to commence on 17 November 2020.  Two of the key pillars to the proposals are planning and design.

1) Planning

The developer has submitted a number of documents to support the planning matters relevant to their proposal and the appeal at the public inquiry, you can find the main document here and the appendices are below. For the public inquiry:

  • Lambeth's main evidence on the planning matters can be found here and there is a summary here.
  • Evidence on planning matters on behalf of Stop the Blocks Community Action Group can be found here. 

2)Design

Anthology have developed brochures for the public inquiry to showcase their development plans. Please note that due to the large size of these particular  brochures we have had to host the files externally. You cannot view the files on your device without  downloading these files onto  your computer. The information available includes:

  • A brochure developed specifically for the public inquiry which can be downloaded here.
  • Details on the context, key design principles and detailed descriptions of the proposals that will be put forward to the public inquiry which can be downloaded here

You can see a summary and more details of the planning application with Lambeth Planning here.

legal representation at the public inquiry

Following reaching the pledge target needed to secure independent legal representation we were able to appoint Ryan Kohli as our legal counsel. Ryan is a leading public law practitioner with particular expertise in planning and environmental law and social housing. You can read more about our legal counsel here. The developer (Anthology/Lifestory Group) and their planning agent are being represented by Sasha White QC and a junior planning barrister Anjoli Foster. Lambeth Planning are being represented by the barrister Heather Sargant. Both of the main parties (the developer and Lambeth) are expected to bring a number of expert witnesses to speak and present evidence on the proposed scheme at the public inquiry. 

How we got here...

 Anthology/Lifestory Group (The developer and appellant)

As you probably recall the developer submitted an appeal to the planning inspectorate on 13 March 2020 to have a public inquiry in order to secure permission for their proposed development scheme for the former Woodlands nursing home site. They have submitted over fifty documents to achieve that aim. Unfortunately, due to the size and complexity of those files we are unable to host them on our website. However, Lambeth Planning Authority will be hosting those documents on a dedicated webpage which should be up and running by the week ending 25 October 2020. We will keep you posted when it goes live.

Lambeth Planning Authority (Lambeth)

Lambeth has produced nine documents which are either main proofs of their evidence for the inquiry, a summary of that evidence and a supporting document containing diagrams/figures. 

You can see: 

  • The main evidence regarding the planning issues here and there is a summary of that evidence here
  • Lambeth's concerns regarding the unit size (i.e.one bed, two bed and lack of three bed accommodation) here and there is a summary of that evidence here.
  • The proof of evidence with regards to Lambeth's concerns on design, townscape impact, effect on heritage assets (including listed buildings conservation areas), protected views, poor quality communal and play space amenity can be found here, with a summary here. There are also some interesting diagrams and figures which illustrate the potential visual impact of the proposed scheme which can be viewed here.
  • Finally, Lambeth has submitted proofs of evidence in relation to the potential adverse impact on existing residential homes in terms of loss of daylight to rooms and sunlight into gardens. They have also raised concerns regarding the inadequate amenity of the scheme for future occupiers of the development. You can see the main information here and a summary is available here.

Please note that the documents mentioned above are also hosted on Lambeth's planning portal here. Even though these documents on the portal are noted as "redacted" Lambeth has advised us that there are no differences in the versions of those documents you are accessing here and those hosted by Lambeth.

Stop the Blocks Community Action Group (StB)

Stop the Blocks Community Action Group also commissioned a review of the proposed scheme with the view to putting forward a proof of evidence of the issues on behalf of the group, you can view that information here. 

Disclaimer

Please note Stop the Blocks Community Action Group takes no responsibility for the contents or accuracy of planning documents or photo images produced by other organisations. We recommend that in the first instance you go to the planning applications database here to find the latest version submitted by the planning applicant and Lambeth Planning.    

Have your say at the virtual public inquiry

Have your say

The inquiry will commence on Tuesday 17 November 2020 at 10:00 am. The inquiry is scheduled to close on 25 November 2020 but, dependant on other factors, may continue till 27 November 2020.


Due to the current public health protection measures that are required, the public inquiry will be held virtually online. You can view and participate in the inquiry by a computer, laptop or other device and also dial in by phone to the listen or speak at the public inquiry.   


The Planning Inspector was very keen that members of the public should have an opportunity to speak regarding the proposed development. If you are keen to speak at the inquiry please contact us directly by email (contactstoptheblocks@gmail.com) and we will do everything we can to help. You can of course make your own arrangements directly with the Planning Inspectorate.


If you want to find out more about how virtual public inquiries are run and how you can participate if you want to, there is a YouTube video here which we found helpful and there is more information which you can find by online by clicking here

Also:

· The Planning Inspector at the inquiry will be John Braithwaite BSc (Arch) BArch (Hons) RIBA MRTPI 

· Due to the obvious public health protection measures required and concerns, the public inquiry will be held virtually online. You can also dial in by phone to the listen or speak at the public inquiry.  

· The Planning Inspector will also be making unaccompanied and accompanied visit to inspect the site. 

More detail of the virtual public inquiry are below.

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Details of the public inquiry

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