Proposed student block will blot out too much skyline, say Wandsworth residents

Wandsworth residents have hit out at plans for new student accommodation in their neighbourhood, over concerns the buildings would be too tall.

A total of 434 student bedrooms would be built on former industrial land under the plans.

The scheme from Downing Living South, submitted to Wandsworth council, proposes two 10-storey blocks of student accommodation on Armoury Way.

The student bedrooms would be provided across a mix of cluster apartments and independent studios, which would also have terraced rooftop gardens. One of the blocks would have commercial units for businesses on its ground and first floors.

The site was used as part of the operation of the former gasworks on Swandon Way, which was decommissioned in 2019. The development would have two disabled car parking spaces, along with 342 long-stay and 14 short-stay cycle parking spaces. A total of 66 new trees would be planted on the site.

Residents raised concerns about the heights of the proposed blocks in objection letters to the council, along with the extra strain that could be put on Wandsworth Town station.

One objector wrote: “It will dwarf and overshadow our home and reduce the amount of light that we get significantly. It would reduce our privacy as windows would be facing ours. It would reduce our view. It is beautiful to be able to see the sky and it is good for wellbeing.”

She added: “We have more than enough tall buildings in Wandsworth that dwarf the environment and impact on our skyline, our light and our views.”

Another commented: “The addition of more residents will exacerbate congestion and strain the existing transport infrastructure, leading to an unsustainable situation for both commuters and local residents.”

Application documents said the developer wants to construct ‘landmark buildings in this fast-changing part of Wandsworth, seeking to address the shortfall in available purpose-built student accommodation within the borough’.

The documents added: “The location is well-suited to purpose-built student accommodation due to its proximity to a high number of higher education providers and it has been demonstrated that there is significant demand for this type of accommodation within the borough.”

The council will decide on the plans in due course.

Pictured top: CGI of the plans for Armoury Way (Picture: SimpsonHaugh Architects/Downing Living South Ltd)