Southwark Council to approve Old Kent Road 48-storey tower

Planners have recommended Southwark Council approve Galliard and Aviva’s plans for a 48-storey tower at Cantium Retail Park on Old Kent Road, SE1. Development will see demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of the site with buildings from three to 48 storeys, comprising 1,113 homes, 60,900 sq ft of offices and 24,000 sq ft of shops. The residential element proposes 35.48% affordable housing by habitable room, with 363 new affordable homes, of which 237 would be social rented and 126 shared ownership. Planning officers have recommended the application for approval at the committee meeting on 5 March. It would then go to the GLA for the final rubber-stamping. Cantium Retail Park is currently occupied by B&Q, Pets at Home and Halfords across 66,500 sq ft of retail space. Halfords and Pets at Home have been re-provided space. B&Q would be offered an opportunity to take the space, but has objected to the development. The scheme also promises affordable office space to secure independent retail units for a diverse offer. Aviva bought the 4.7-acre site for £30.1m in 2010 and made an application for small retail amendments, before considering ideas for a residential scheme after the Old Kent Road was designated as an opportunity area. In 2017 Aviva picked Galliard as a joint venture partner to help it bring forward planning. The site is one of a number in or around the area that could benefit from the extension of the Bakerloo Line from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, which essentially follows the Old Kent Road. Plans can be viewed at Southwark Council’s planning portal. In recent months the council has also approved Avanton’s 48-storey tower with 1,152 homes on the Ruby Triangle site, and Berkeley is waiting for a verdict on its revised 1,300-home scheme in towers of up to 44 storeys.   To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette