Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee has approved plans for a new housing development on Leigham Court Road, following a meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
The decision grants conditional planning permission for the demolition of existing structures and the redevelopment of the site at 35-37 Leigham Court Road and land to the west and rear of 39-49 Leigham Court Road. The approved plans include the construction of three buildings to provide residential units, a standalone community and commercial building, and associated landscaping, cycle parking, car parking, and servicing.
The development will deliver 92 residential units, with 35% designated as affordable housing. This comprises 15 social rented homes and 31 discount market rent homes, alongside 46 private homes. The rationale for this specific percentage is linked to the Viability Tested Route, where the applicant's financial viability assessment, independently verified, indicated that this was the maximum reasonable amount of affordable housing that could be provided.
During the meeting, councillors heard updates on consultation responses. The Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service (GLAAS) advised that archaeological remains could be present on the site. They recommended a 'precautionary archaeological condition' which would secure the submission and implementation of a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI), informed by a desk-based archaeological assessment as necessary, to ensure archaeological impacts are appropriately mitigated. This is a two-stage condition: first, an evaluation including an updated desk-based assessment, and second, if heritage assets are identified, a stage 2 WSI for investigation, recording, publication, and dissemination.
Officers also proposed an amendment to an existing condition regarding unexploded ordnance to require a separate risk management strategy.
The committee approved the officer's recommendation to grant permission, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and the imposition of the additional and amended conditions. The Section 106 agreement will secure planning obligations including:
- 35% affordable housing by habitable rooms (15 social rented homes and 31 discount market rent homes).
- A contribution towards 'healthy streets improvements'.
- Off-site Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirement.
- A CAVAT contribution of £57,995 for tree removal.
- A contribution of £60,000 towards off-site social infrastructure improvements.
- A contribution of £7,159 towards open space improvements.
- A monitoring fee capped at 5% of total financial obligations.
- A 25-year covenant for Build to Rent housing, including a clawback mechanism, unified ownership and management, longer tenancies, rent certainty, on-site management, and a complaints procedure.
- A car-free development status, with the exception of Blue Badge parking.
- Three years of car club membership for all residents.
- Three years of cycle hire membership for all residents.
- A S278 agreement for highway works, including a continuous crossing.
- An Employment and Skills Plan (ESP) for both construction and occupation phases, with targets for local resident employment, apprenticeships, supported employment placements, and pre-employment training.
For Dorchester Parade, the Section 106 agreement will secure Early-Stage and Late-Stage Viability Reviews to capture any future improvement in viability for affordable housing provision. It also includes a £200,000 voluntary payment towards affordable housing (though viability assessments indicate the scheme cannot currently support on-site affordable housing), a £12,000 contribution towards Healthy Streets improvements, and a S278 agreement for highway works, including a continuous crossing. Additionally, there will be three years of car club and cycle hire membership for all residents, a £1,000 contribution towards on-street cycle parking, and an Employment and Skills Plan for construction and occupation phases with a £11,700 contribution for employment and skills, and a £2,525 contribution for children's playspace. All financial contributions are to be index-linked, and a monitoring fee capped at 5% of total financial obligations will apply.
