409 Kennington Road Update & Drop-in's Today & Monday

I would encourage residents to attend the drop-in, demonstrating interest and sharing views; and numbers do count. 

There was a high attendance at the first drop-in's with 86 visitors.  Also a strong response to the survey with 134 responses (39 from HoKRA postcodes) and 30 separate questions or free form letters.  

Four of the HoKRA Committee attended a meeting organised by their PR agent; with the architect, planners and owners Standard Securities Ltd.  Predominantly the same representatives as those at the first drop-in's. The key areas we noted were:

• The building continues at 16 / 17 storeys

• Reduction in pavement by bringing the building forward on KR and KP Roads

• Increase in size of loading bay on KPR

• Employment space, currently job centre + 1400m2 reduced to no job centre and 1140m2

• c190 student accommodation with 35% affordable

• Terrace on the roof

We were told pre-application discussions have been held with Lambeth and the GLA and the intention is to submit a full application in January or shortly after.

Not unexpectedly and reflecting the comments sent to our HoKRA mailbox, our 39 resident respondents overwhelmingly objected 98% to the massing with only 2% neutral. We stated at the meeting, massing should reflect the 5 and 6 storey adjacent buildings.

Our main concerns to this proposal were raised including;

• massing, harm to character of the area of predominantly 2-4 stories, 

• over concentration of students - Applegreen, Jewson sites and Oval Village advertising/ attracting international students

• harm to heritage, the park and negative impact on conservation areas

• daylight sunlight shade (DSL) - including the park in summer

• impact on Stannary St businesses KIBA (Key Industrial Business Area)

• poor greening proposals, impact of more e-bikes, density, noise, overlooking and others

The owners stated the development isn't viable to them at less than 17 storeys.  The financials and comparables have not yet been released. It is understood that similar properties that were previously proposed at 15 storeys were later deemed viable at 8 storeys e.g. Applegreen site opposite Tesco.

At this stage we encourage residents to attend the drop-in, clarify any unanswered questions in preparation to share thoughts with planners early in the new year

The HoKRA Committee will be commenting further on our approach in the coming weeks.