Go-ahead given for four new tower blocks near South Bermondsey station
By Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to build four new tower blocks up to 29 storeys tall near South Bermondsey railway station have been approved.
The development, from Tide Construction Limited, will see vacant land located at 76-161 Ilderton Road transformed to deliver new social housing along with hundreds of studios which will form part of co-living accommodation.
The land, which is located close to the railway line that serves the station, was last used as a yard to sell second-hand lorries and vans.
Two separate buildings, known as the North Building and the South Building, will contain two tower blocks each and will be separated by a 738 sqm pocket park, which can be accessed by the public.
The North Building will contain Blocks A and B, and will be 29 and 23 storeys in height and is where the co-living space will be located. The co-living space, also known as purpose built shared living, is a type of managed rented housing designed for single people.
It will consist of 865 individual studios along with a range of shared spaces such as a games room, laundry facilities, shared kitchen and dining facilities and co-working spaces.
Each of the studios will contain a double bed, lounge space, a kitchenette and an en-suite shower room. A total of 86 of the studios (10per cent) will be wheelchair accessible.
During a meeting of Southwark council’s planning committee on Wednesday, a planning officer explained that communal living is targeted at people who are starting out in their career and aren’t in a position to buy their own homes, but it can also be suitable for single, middle-aged people.
The South Building will also consist of two tower blocks known as Block C and Block D that will be 16 storeys and 10 storeys tall. The South Building will be made up of entirely affordable housing with all 186 homes across the two blocks being social rent.
The planning officer said delivering entirely social housing within the South Building should be treated as a “major benefit of the scheme” due to the borough’s acute need of social housing.
Of the 186 homes, 77 will be one-beds, 79 will be two-beds while 30 will be three-beds – 18 of the homes in the South Building (10 per cent) will be wheelchair accessible.
The North Building will contain one commercial or community unit while the South Building will contain two commercial units.
The construction phase is expected to generate 107 jobs, 26 construction industry apprenticeships and 107 short courses for unemployed Southwark residents. Tide Construction will also contribute £400,000 towards construction phase jobs.
Pictured top: The North Building will contain two tower blocks which are taller in height than the two tower blocks located within the South Building (Picture: Southwark council)
