Southwark Council Approves Amendments to Chambers Wharf Development

Southwark Council's Planning Committee has approved amendments to the Chambers Wharf development, located on Chambers Street, London SE16 4XQ. The decision, made on Tuesday 22 July 2025, involves changes to the internal configuration, external design, and overall massing of Blocks A, B, C, and D, resulting in a reduction of residential units from 589 to 566. Of the 566 units, 182 are designated as affordable housing, while the remaining 384 are private units. The private units include a mix of sizes:

  • 1-bed/1P (Studio): 54 units (14.06%)
  • 1-bed/2P: 89 units (23.18%)
  • 2-bed/3p: 58 units (15.10%)
  • 2-bed/4p: 96 units (25.00%)
  • 3-bed/4p: 8 units (2.08%)
  • 3-bed/5p: 23 units (5.99%)
  • 3-bed/6p: 53 units (13.80%)
  • 4-bed/8p: 3 units (0.78%)

Street view of the proposed New City Court redevelopment at 4-26 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RS, with the Shard in the background.
Street view of the proposed New City Court redevelopment at 4-26 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RS, with the Shard in the background.

The approved amendments come after careful consideration of two applications: a non-material amendment (24/AP/3800) and a material amendment (24/AP/3801) under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The non-material amendment sought to adjust the description of the development and add a new condition to secure the number of residential units and commercial floorspace. The material amendment focused on changes to the façade design, building footprint, and internal unit layouts.

Key changes include:

  • Adjustments to façade design to meet updated fire regulations, energy and sustainability standards, and to address overheating. The specific regulations and standards are not detailed in the provided text.
  • Internal reconfiguration of units to meet current space standards.
  • Addition of staircases and fire safety features.
  • Changes from winter gardens to winter gardens/balconies.
  • Increases in building massing and heights, ranging between 3.9 and 4.9 metres.
  • Addition of residential amenity facilities, such as a swimming pool and gym.
  • Revised energy strategy, switching from combined heat and power to air source heat pumps, which is expected to lower carbon emissions. The development is expected to achieve 65% over Part L 2021 at Be Lean Stage.
  • Basement layout changes to accommodate Thames Tideway Tunnel infrastructure. The Thames Tideway Tunnel infrastructure imposes key constraints upon the residential development, including the extent of the basement, the need for the main shaft chamber to remain independent, and structural implications for Buildings C and D.
  • Rise in floor level of Building C for flood protection.

The committee granted planning permission, subject to revised conditions and a deed of variation to the existing Section 106 agreement. These revisions include:

  • Deliver & Service Bond £2,790
  • Car club Membership for residents for 3-years + commercial 1 year.
  • CPZ Parking Permits not be permitted for any use classes
  • Membership to the Cycle Hire scheme 3 years
  • archaeological matters £11,171
  • Carbon offset contribution of £280,107 proposed
  • Employment and enterprise contributions
  • Commitment and provision to ensure Blocks F and G will not be subject to service change requirements associated with these amendments
  • Public access to open space and the children's playspace

The secured S106 contributions to date are £1,166,294.23. The specific differences from the original agreement are not detailed in the provided text.

Objectors had raised concerns about the impact on daylight and sunlight, height and massing, parking, construction impacts, lack of affordable housing, and changes in dwelling mix. The Director of Planning and Growth acknowledged concerns regarding daylight and sunlight, stating that the reductions are similar to the consented scheme and considered acceptable, with VSC (vertical sky component) as the principal criterion for assessment. To mitigate construction impacts, a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be implemented. This plan will include measures to minimize noise, dust, and vibration, as well as manage traffic. The CEMP will also include a direct and responsive site management contact for nearby occupiers during demolition and/or construction.

Historic England confirmed they had no comments to make.

The Director of Planning and Growth was authorised to make minor modifications to the proposed conditions arising out of detailed negotiations with the applicant.