Lambeth Council approves new housing plan

Lambeth Council Approves New Housing Plan Amidst Concerns Over Delivery

Lambeth Council has approved a new housing plan, the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (SADPD), which will guide the development of new homes and other uses across the borough. Adopted on Wednesday 14 October 2026, the SADPD identifies thirteen specific sites for development, aiming to deliver new housing, employment opportunities, and community benefits.

The plan has undergone a rigorous process, including two stages of statutory consultation and an independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspector recommended the plan for adoption, subject to a series of modifications to ensure its soundness and legal compliance. These modifications aim to ensure that development management policies are justified, consistent with national policy, and effective; site allocations are effective and consistent with national policy; the SADPD conforms with the Lambeth Local Plan and is in general conformity with the London Plan; policies are effective, justified, and consistent with national policy; the policy wording for site allocations is clear, precise, and effective; there is adequate and effective monitoring of the SADPD and its policies; and the SADPD is positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy.

Councillor Scott Ainslie, Cabinet Member for Property, Planning, Built Environment and Public Realm, highlighted the document's importance in shaping future development and attracting investment. He noted that the plan would support the delivery of new homes and employment opportunities, benefiting local residents.

However, Councillor Danial Adilypour, who worked on the document as part of the previous administration, expressed reservations about the political will to deliver on the SADPD's ambitious targets. He stated that if fulfilled, the plan could lead to up to 900 new social and affordable homes, potentially £25 million in investment, and thousands of new jobs. Councillor Adilypour voiced concerns about potential reductions in social and affordable homes, citing that several of the sites and policies within it have been publicly opposed by Councillor Ainslie in the past. He also pointed to a press release from the Council where Councillor Ainslie announced plans to scrap over 2,000 new homes, potentially up to 900 that being social and affordable, and stated he was not convinced that he's had a damaging conversion to the need to actually tackle the housing crisis.

Councillor Michael Ball, speaking for the Green Group, detailed the long development process of the SADPD, including consultations and modifications. He paid tribute to Councillor Danial Adilypour for his decision to withdraw proposals for Site 19 at Nollies Road in the face of very strong objections. This decision cancelled the possibility of 430 new homes and 215 affordable homes.

The thirteen sites identified for development are: Royal Street SE1, St Thomas' Hospital SE1, 110 Stamford Street SE1, Gabriel's Wharf and Princes Wharf, Upper Ground SE1, 330–336 Brixton Road SW9, Tesco, 13 Acre Lane SW2, 51–57 Effra Road SW2, 35–37 and Car Park Leigham Court Road SW16, 300–346 Norwood Road SE27, 6–12 Kennington Lane and Wooden Spoon House, 5 Dugard Way SE11, 1 & 3–11 Wellfit Street, 7–9 Hinton Road & Units 1–4 Hardess Street SE24, Land at corner of Coldharbour Lane and Herne Hill Road SE24, and King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill SE5. These sites are designated for housing and mixed-use development.

The adopted SADPD will form part of Lambeth's statutory development plan, alongside the Lambeth Local Plan 2021, the London Plan 2021, and relevant neighbourhood plans. It will add site-specific policies to the existing Lambeth Local Plan, supporting the implementation of wider Council strategies and helping to deliver sustainable growth, investment, and opportunity. Three existing site allocations from the Lambeth Local Plan 2021 will be revoked and replaced by new allocations within the SADPD. These are: Site 1: Land north and south of and including 10 Royal Street, SE1 (Founders Place) replaced by Site 1: Royal Street SE1; Site 9: ITV Centre and Gabriel's Wharf, Upper Ground SE1 replaced by Site 9: Gabriel's Wharf and Princes Wharf, Upper Ground SE1; and Site 18: 286-362 Norwood Road SE27 replaced by Site 18: 300–346 Norwood Road SE27.

Further details on the council's meeting and the SADPD can be found in the Public reports pack.