Roehampton Library is set to be redeveloped as part of a wider scheme that will include a new youth centre and healthcare facilities. The plans, discussed at a Wandsworth Council Planning Applications Committee meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026, propose the demolition of existing buildings on Danebury Avenue, Holybourne Avenue, and Roehampton Lane.
In their place, two new buildings will be constructed. One will be a four-storey community hub, measuring 23 metres in height, which will house a replacement library, a youth centre, council offices, and a healthcare facility. The other will be a nine-storey residential building, standing 32.8 metres tall, providing 55 affordable homes.
The redevelopment aims to optimise the use of the site, which is currently partially vacant and underutilised. The site comprises Parcel A, fronting Roehampton Lane, which includes the GP surgery and adjacent four-storey and two-storey empty blocks to the rear on Holliburn Avenue. These blocks previously accommodated retail floorspace at ground level and ten residential dwellings on upper floors. Parcel B is the ground floor of Albrook House, the existing library. Parcels C1, C2, and C3 are green landscaped areas. Additionally, Nos. 1 to 29 Danebury Avenue, a four-storey vacant building, previously housed retail and residential units. Nos. 36-38 Holybourne Avenue, a vacant part single-storey/part two-storey brick building, was formerly the Roehampton Youth Club and Council Offices.
The community hub is designed to be a focal point for the Roehampton Local Centre, with active frontages and a welcoming entrance. It will offer a range of facilities, including a children's library, adult library, bookable meeting rooms, a community hall, and the GP surgery. The residential building will offer a mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom affordable homes, with a focus on social rent.
The plans have been developed through extensive community engagement and pre-application discussions with council officers, ensuring that the new facilities meet the needs of local residents. The scheme also includes significant improvements to the public realm, with new landscaping, tree planting, and a play area designed to integrate with the site's topography.
Biodiversity net gain is a key consideration, with the proposal exceeding the statutory minimum requirement. While the redevelopment involves the removal of some trees, 51 new trees are proposed to be planted as compensation. The design of the buildings draws inspiration from the existing Alton Estate architecture, aiming to create a contemporary yet contextual feel.
The plans were recommended for approval, subject to conditions and a legal agreement, with the committee noting the significant public benefits of the affordable housing and enhanced community facilities. Further details can be found in the Public reports pack.
