Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee has approved a development that will add 69 homes to the Wyvil Road site in Vauxhall, bringing the total to 347 homes.
The committee met on Tuesday 22 September 2026 to discuss the Section 73 application for 12-20 Wyvil Road. The approved amendments include design refinements, revised building footprints, changes to materials, additional staircases for fire safety, a revised energy strategy, reduced basement provision, and changes to access arrangements.
Crucially, the affordable housing offer has been significantly enhanced. The development will now provide 70 affordable homes on-site, comprising 46 social rent units and 24 intermediate units. This replaces a previous payment-in-lieu (PIL) arrangement for intermediate affordable housing. The original scheme had a PIL of £10.5 million (index linked), calculated at the time to be equivalent to approximately 35 intermediate affordable homes. The new proposal increases the on-site social rent units from 23 to 46, and introduces 24 intermediate units, representing 22.3% of the total homes as affordable housing by habitable room.
Ricardo Rossetti, Development Director at London Square, spoke in favour of the development, highlighting the scheme's deliverability and the increased on-site affordable housing offer. Samantha Wells, a planning consultant, also spoke in support, emphasising the scheme's improvements and compliance with modern standards.
The approved amendments include specific design refinements and changes to materials. Building A will now utilise a buff brick, responding to the historic context, while Buildings B and C will feature Portland stone-toned facades with warm accent materials. Officers considered the resulting architecture to be of high quality and appropriate to its location. The development will also feature a revised energy strategy, aiming for a 72.7% reduction in carbon emissions for domestic elements and 35.3% for non-residential elements beyond Building Regulations Part L (2021), with remaining emissions addressed through a carbon offset payment. The whole life-cycle carbon assessment exceeds GLA benchmarks and is closer to the GLA's aspirational target. Commercial units will aim for BREEAM excellent or equivalent standards.
Councillor Diogo Costa expressed reservations about the removal of the late-stage viability review but ultimately supported the scheme, influenced by resident representations and the increase in social rent units. He had previously supported the 68-86 Clapham Road development due to resident support, despite having reservations about its affordable housing and co-living model.
Councillor Viktor Westerdahl welcomed the sensitive design and pragmatic approach to viability. However, the committee also acknowledged concerns regarding the potential impact of the development's height and massing on daylight and sunlight for existing residents in nearby tall buildings such as The Dumont, Merano Residences, and The Corniche. Objectors argued that the proposed development would lead to significant light loss exceeding BRE guidance, and that the applicant's assessments were flawed. Officers presented an assessment that, while acknowledging some daylight and sunlight losses, deemed them acceptable within the dense urban context of Vauxhall, noting that existing buildings' design already limited light. Councillor Elizabeth Fraser also acknowledged concerns about heritage impacts raised by the GLA and Historic England.
The committee voted to approve the application with six votes in favour and one against, acknowledging the significant public benefits, particularly the affordable housing provision, as outweighing the identified concerns. The meeting agenda and public reports pack can be found on the Lambeth Council website here and here.
