Hundreds of shared living apartments planned for tower block near railway station

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

Hundreds of shared living flats could be built in skyscrapers near a railway station.

Developer Wittington Investments has submitted plans to construct four tower blocks – the tallest 27 storeys high – on a disused stretch of land near South Bermondsey station.

Two towers, 18 storeys and 27 storeys high, would house 609 shared living flats, while two smaller 15-storey and 10-storey blocks would contain 118 apartments in the development in Ilderton Road.

Shared living is a type of accommodation where people have their own bedroom with an en-suite and kitchenette, but have to share kitchens, living areas and laundry areas.

Residents of the planned shared living flats will also have access to a film room, gym and roof terrace, among other facilities. Most of the flats will be either 20.3sqm or 22sqm in size – slightly larger than a hotel room.

All the planned apartments in the two smaller towers to the south would be affordable (at prices up to 80 per cent of local market rates).

Of the 118, 63 would be available at the cheapest social rents and 55 through shared ownership – where a person buys a share of a property and pays the rest to a landlord through rent.

Space for artists’ studios and workspace would be provided at the bottom of the building with the two taller towers.

Southwark council will make a decision on the plans at a later date.

Pictured top: A CGI of the planned skyscraper development near South Bermondsey railway station (Picture: Southwark council planning documents)