Wandsworth rejects latest co-living scheme

Wandsworth Council has refused Dandi Living’s plans for 159 co-living bedrooms. The planning committee unanimously refused plans for a six-storey block at Hazel Court on Haydon Way, near Wandsworth Town station. Dandi Living’s proposals superseded a previous scheme of 57 flats, refused by the council in 2017 owing to the size of the scheme. Members at the committee this week, on 25 November, raised concerns over the height and again size of the new plans and the impact on the street. Wandsworth Council has to date been receptive to co-living as a tenure in the borough. In April, councillors raised concerns over the impact of co-living room sizes on residents’ health and wellbeing, in light of the pandemic, ahead of a decision on the Collective’s 263-bed Chatfield Road scheme. The scheme includes a majority of bedrooms measuring 16 sq m. However, the committee went on to approve the plans, with the Collective bagging its second approval in the borough. Last year, the Collective received consent for 292 rooms at Trewint Street in Earlsfield, the first co-living scheme in Wandsworth. Dandi Living’s development proposes the bulk of rooms at 24 sq m and 9,730 sq ft of internal amenity space, equating to 6 sq m per person. The developer is known for smaller co-living schemes, typically via permitted development rights conversions. The plans for co-living at Hazel Court follow the refurbishment of the neighbouring site, Haydon House, which Dandi Living acquired in 2018 and completed last year. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette Photo © TP Bennett