Proposal to build ‘mountain range’ of offices on South Bank slammed by dismayed residents

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

South Bank residents have lost their battle against plans to build a “mountain range” of office blocks they claim will block out the sky.

Huge proposals to turn an area south of Waterloo Station into a life sciences and medical technology hub were waved through by Lambeth councillors on December 13.

New offices, covering an area the size of 27 football pitches, will be built as part of the plans brought by the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation.

Close to 130 homes will be bulldozed to make way for the development, but these will be replaced as part of the project, which will also include restaurants and a new gym.

Old Paradise Yard – a workspace housed in a former Tibetan Buddhist Centre – will also be demolished as part of the project, which developers say will create 7,399 full-time jobs.

But local resident Matthew Demwell, who has campaigned against the plans, said the new office blocks would block light from adjoining Archbishop’s Park.

Speaking at a council planning meeting on Tuesday, he said: “Archbishop’s Park is a vital resource for the many local residents who don’t have gardens and staff and visitors at St Thomas’ Hospital.

“The proposed mountain range of offices would rear up close to the park, blocking out views of the sky and creating a feeling of being hemmed in. The effect would be dehumanising.”

He added: “Old Paradise Yard is unique and quirky. Any inner London borough would love to have it. It’s irreplaceable. No corporatist, alleged affordable, modernist space could be anything like as inspirational.”

Michael Ball from residents’ group Waterloo Community Development Group, said he could see the proposals having the same fate as the approved redevelopment of the nearby former ITV Studios.

Lambeth Council gave the thumbs up to the project in March, only for the government to order a public inquiry into the project after opposition from residents and the local MP.

Post-war apartment blocks, Canterbury House and Standgate House will be bulldozed under the plans to turn the area around Royal Street into a life sciences hub.

Buildings in the planned development will range in height from 12 to 16 storeys, despite this two of the plots on the site were not designated for tall buildings by the council.

Of the planned 133 homes, around half will be affordable, with 44 available at the lowest social-type rents. The other 21 affordable homes will be set at London Living Rents. According to City Hall, across London, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom London Living Rent home is around £1,077 a month.

An all-Labour planning committee made up of Cllr Joanne Simpson, Cllr Saleha Jaffer, Cllr Malcolm Clark and Cllr Martin Bailey voted unanimously to approve the plans.

Explaining her decision, Cllr Jaffer said: “It will give huge opportunities to improve communities’ life expectancies and treatments and the opportunities for local communities, especially disadvantaged groups.”

Pictured top: Old Paradise Yard (foreground) and Canterbury House (background) are under threat by the plans (Picture: Robert Firth)