Lambeth Council's Cabinet has approved plans for the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (SADPD), a crucial document outlining the development of 13 key sites across the borough. The document, which allocates sites for housing, employment, and community uses, has undergone extensive public consultation and independent examination.

Councillor Scott Ainslie, Cabinet Member for Property, Planning, Built Environment and Public Realm, introduced the SADPD, explaining its role in unlocking investment and supporting the delivery of approximately 830 net additional homes, alongside new jobs and community facilities. The SADPD provides site-specific policies to ensure development is planned, coordinated, and delivers benefits for local communities.

Rob Bristow, Corporate Director of Growth and Environment, clarified that the document sets policy parameters and that separate applications would be required for each site. He also confirmed that the policies seek highly sustainable development and are part of a suite of documents, including the local plan and the London Plan.

The Cabinet agreed to the two recommendations in the report, which included recommending the adoption of the SADPD to Full Council and revoking three existing local plan site allocations.

Details of the 13 Allocated Sites

The SADPD designates 13 key development sites, each with specific current and proposed future uses:

  • Site 1: Royal Street SE1: Currently a mix of residential buildings, offices, railway arches with commercial uses, a community city farm, small business start-up space, and a car park. The proposed future use includes residential units, office floorspace (including lab-enabled space), flexible ground-floor spaces for retail and cultural uses, and community facilities. Development is expected between 2030–2035.
    Map showing Site 1, Royal Street SE1, as part of a wider development area.
    Map illustrating proposed development sites and transport routes in the West Norwood and Tulse Hill areas, as part of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document.Source: Cabinet papers, 23 September 2026
  • Site 2: St Thomas' Hospital SE1: Currently comprises hospital facilities and the Florence Nightingale Museum. The proposed future use is for hospital and ancillary uses, and the reprovision of the Florence Nightingale Museum. Development will occur as required, in line with the hospital's operational needs.
  • Site 8: 110 Stamford Street SE1: Currently vacant. Proposed future use includes community or office floorspace at ground level and approximately 30 self-contained residential units on upper floors. Development is anticipated after 2035.
  • Site 9: Gabriel's Wharf and Princes Wharf, Upper Ground SE1: Currently includes shops, food and drink uses, cultural uses, and a former TV studio. Proposed future use includes mixed uses with active frontages, cultural uses, offices, housing (including affordable housing), and shops and food/drink uses. Development is expected after 2035.
    Map showing Site 9, a designated development area, adjacent to Bernie Spain Gardens and the River Thames.
    Map showing Site 9, a designated development area, adjacent to Bernie Spain Gardens and the River Thames.Source: Cabinet papers, 23 September 2026
    A map illustrating the proposed site allocations for development in Lambeth, as discussed in the council meeting.
    A map illustrating the proposed site allocations for development in Lambeth, as discussed in the council meeting.Source: Cabinet papers, 23 September 2026
  • Site 17: 330–336 Brixton Road SW9: Currently a petrol station, light industrial workshop space, medical services, offices, and retail/restaurant uses. Proposed future use includes replacement office and community floorspace, new light industrial workspace, and new housing (including affordable housing). Development is expected between 2030–2035.
  • Site 20: Tesco, 13 Acre Lane SW2: Currently a Tesco supermarket and car park. Proposed future use includes a replacement supermarket and new housing (including affordable housing). Development is expected between 2030–2035.
  • Site 21: 51–57 Effra Road SW2: Currently a retail park. Proposed future use includes new light industrial workspace and new housing (including affordable housing). Development is expected between 2025–2030.
  • Site 3: 35–37 and Car Park Leigham Court Road SW16: Currently a car park and disused public toilets, with some existing retail properties. Proposed future use includes ground floor active frontages onto Leigham Court Road (commercial or residential), and new housing (including affordable housing) to the rear. Development is expected between 2025–2030.
    A map highlighting 'Site 3' in Streatham Hill, indicating a development site within the Site Allocations Development Plan Document.
    A map highlighting 'Site 3' in Streatham Hill, indicating a development site within the Site Allocations Development Plan Document.Source: Cabinet papers, 23 September 2026
  • Site 18: 300–346 Norwood Road SE27: Currently includes residential units above shops, retail floorspace, office floorspace, industrial floorspace, a church, petrol station, and food takeaways/restaurants. Proposed future use includes new housing (including affordable housing), flexible workspace, community uses, and shops/food and drink uses. Development is expected after 2035.
    Map illustrating proposed development sites and transport routes in the West Norwood and Tulse Hill areas, as part of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document.
    Map illustrating proposed development sites and transport routes in the West Norwood and Tulse Hill areas, as part of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document.Source: Cabinet papers, 23 September 2026
  • Site 7: 6–12 Kennington Lane and Wooden Spoon House, 5 Dugard Way SE11: Currently includes light industrial floorspace, a community use (Christ the Redeemer building), and medical services (Wooden Spoon House). Proposed future use includes replacement light industrial capacity, community facilities, and new housing (including affordable housing). Development of the southern part of the site is expected between 2025–2030.
    Map illustrating development sites and their proposed heights in the Kennington Lane area, relevant to the Site Allocations Development Plan Document discussion.
    Map illustrating development sites and their proposed heights in the Kennington Lane area, relevant to the Site Allocations Development Plan Document discussion.Source: Cabinet papers, 23 September 2026
  • Site 22: 1 & 3–11 Wellfit Street, 7–9 Hinton Road & Units 1–4 Hardess Street SE24: Currently includes light industrial floorspace, retail, and roads. Proposed future use includes new light industrial workspace and new housing (including affordable housing). Development is expected between 2025–2030.
    Map showing the location of 'Site 22' in relation to surrounding roads and landmarks, including Loughborough Junction and Rathgar Road Railway Arches.
    Map showing the location of 'Site 22' in relation to surrounding roads and landmarks, including Loughborough Junction and Rathgar Road Railway Arches.Source: Cabinet papers, 23 September 2026
  • Site 23: Land at corner of Coldharbour Lane and Herne Hill Road SE24: Currently a place of worship. Proposed future use includes replacement community use or other town centre uses at ground floor, and new housing (including affordable housing) on upper floors, with light industrial workspace along Junction Yard. Development is expected after 2035.
  • Site 24: King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill SE5: Currently hospital and ancillary uses, including King's Business Park and a safeguarded waste site. Proposed future use is for hospital and associated ancillary uses, and medical services. Development is expected between 2025–2035.
    Map illustrating development sites and transport links around Loughborough Junction, including Site 24, Ruskin Park, and Denmark Hill station.
    Map illustrating development sites and transport links around Loughborough Junction, including Site 24, Ruskin Park, and Denmark Hill station.Source: Cabinet papers, 23 September 2026

Revocation of Existing Site Allocations

The adoption of the SADPD will lead to the revocation of three existing Local Plan site allocations: Site 1 (Land north and south of and including 10 Royal Street, SE1), Site 9 (ITV Centre and Gabriel's Wharf, Upper Ground SE1), and Site 18 (286–362 Norwood Road SE27). These revocations are necessary as they are superseded by the new site allocations within the SADPD, which provide updated and more detailed policy frameworks for these locations. The rationale is to ensure the development plan is current and reflects the latest evidence and strategic objectives for these sites.

Delivering Benefits for Local Communities

The SADPD aims to deliver tangible benefits for local communities by providing site-specific policies to ensure development is planned, coordinated, and delivers advantages. These benefits include new homes, new employment opportunities, and enhanced community uses. The plan also emphasizes the importance of high-quality design, urban greening, improved public realm, community safety, and active travel, all contributing to the well-being of local residents.

The full details of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document can be found in the Public reports pack.