Five-storey hotel planned for Clapham Road in Kennington

By Grainne Cuffe, Local Democracy Reporter

A developer is proposing to build a long-stay hotel and flats at the site of a car-rental business in Kennington.

Espalier Property Ventures wants to demolish and replace Europcar’s rental building and car park in Clapham Road, along with building a 142-room, five-storey aparthotel, eight flats, and office space.

An aparthotel, also known as a residential or extended-stay hotel, is a serviced apartment complex which uses a hotel-style booking system with no fixed contracts and renters can check out whenever they want.

The proposed aparthotel, set to be run by room2, will include in-room kitchen facilities and a café /cocktail bar open to guests and the public.

The proposal includes a basement for the parking which Europcar requires for rental vehicles.

The site lies within Lambeth’s St Mark’s conservation area.

A four-storey residential building is also set to be knocked down if the plans go ahead – it is not listed but is at the end of a terrace of Grade-II listed buildings.

According to the developer’s planning statement the site is “currently underused and detracts from the character and appearance of the area and the setting of the adjacent listed buildings”.

It states: “By discouraging existing housing from being used as AirBnB-type short term rentals, this will protect local housing.

“The aparthotel will also create approximately 25 new jobs for the borough.

“The proposals will enhance the appearance and character of the conservation area.

“The existing 15 Europcar jobs will be retained and new local employment of approximately 89 jobs will be generated through the modernised Europcar premises.”

It also describes the development as “sustainable” and “environmentally friendly” as it includes solar panels, ground source heating technology and green roof gardens, and electric vehicle charging points.

Pictured top: An artist’s impression of what the new development could look like