On Friday 21 February, KPF’s revised scheme for Grosvenor’s build to rent neighbourhood in Bermondsey, London was granted planning consent.
The former biscuit factory site will be transformed into a new thriving neighbourhood, centred around 1,548 new rental homes, of which 35% will be affordable housing, with 30% at social rent equivalent and 70% at discounted market rent.
After the initial application was called in and taken over by the Mayor of London in May 2019, the team worked closely with Southwark Council and the GLA to address their concerns about the amount of affordable housing. After necessary amendments were made to increase the total, the revised proposals have been approved.
Speaking after the hearing, John Bushell, Design Principal said:
‘The KPF team are extremely pleased to see that The Bermondsey Project can move forward with a planning approval. There has been an intense and productive process with both the London Borough of Southwark and GLA officers to find a way for the scheme to deliver on all fronts. It is deeply satisfying and inspiring to have been part of the collective purpose to create an integrated and relevant place of great character and beauty.’
Alongside new homes, the first phase of the project will deliver a new 600 pupil secondary school designed by Cottrell & Vermeulen. Bermondsey will also benefit from 3 acres of public and play space, 141 new trees and no private cars on the site. Local businesses will enjoy an increase in footfall and new job opportunities will also be created through 150,000 sq ft of flexible employment space, creating a lasting social and economic legacy for the neighbourhood.
Plans to make the neighbourhood highly sustainable include a car free site for residents and will be built to stretching net zero carbon, zero waste and biodiversity goals.