Southwark Council has resolved to grant planning permission for a development that is believed to be the first of its kind in the United Kingdom.

• Innovative co-location development 
• Stitch Architects’ design cleverly combines high density housing and a new builders’ merchant depot
• Scheme highlights continuing potential of Old Kent Road regeneration area despite Bakerloo Line extension delay

An innovative a high rise residential scheme rising above the redevelopment of a Jewson builders’ merchant operation has been given planning permission at committee, a project for which hgh has been a long-term planning advisor.

The builders’ merchant has been on the site – once a timber yard on the banks of the Surrey Canal – for many years. It is currently a typical operation, with a “shed” style building and a large yard and open storage area. Set within one of Europe’s largest regeneration areas – including the Old Kent Road in Southwark and the area around Millwall FC in neighbouring Lewisham – the site is strategically placed to supply building materials to the local area over the years to come.

Stitch Architects’ scheme provides new facilities for the builders’ merchant: a large double-height covered space, as well as a reconfigured open yard. On top, rises a high density residential building, 9, 23 and 25 storeys high, containing 170 apartments. The complex includes two large rooftop open space areas, catering for all children’s play up to the age of 17. 40% of the housing will be classed as affordable, well in excess of the 35% policy requirement.

Complex site

Roger Hepher, Executive Director of planning consultants, hgh Consulting, explained: 

“This is a complex building on a complex site, and the architects and other team members have done an excellent job in making it work so well. It is a ‘first’ to combine a large residential development with a new builders’ merchant store, and this horizontal split between “industrial” activity and housing is very much within the ethos of the Old Kent Road regeneration area. 

“The location is an interesting one. Ilderton Road was previously seen by many as secondary to the Old Kent Road as a location for major new development. However, with the indefinite postponement of the Bakerloo Line Extension, the market has woken up to the fact that Ilderton Road is very well placed for public transport. South Bermondsey station is only a short walking distance away, and from there London Bridge is only 4 minutes away. Before long, the New Bermondsey station on the London Overground will improve connectivity even more.”

‘Exemplar Scheme’

Bhavesh Amin and David Hill, directors of 2020 Capital and promoters of the scheme, commented: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity of working with Jewson on maximising the potential of its site, and look forward to adding this scheme to our portfolio of developments in the Old Kent Road Regeneration Area.  We have followed the guidance of Southwark and GLA officers, the Design Review Panel and the Community Review Panel and believe that the final design is an exemplar for regeneration schemes in London, one that allows the existing occupier to continue to thrive in a modern purpose built space alongside high density residential.”

The professional team includes:

Stitch Architects

Avison Young (daylight and sunlight)

Motion (transport)

Fabrik (Landscape Architect) 

CDI (Services Engineer)

Walsh (Structural Engineer)

Tyler Grange (Ecology)

RWDI (Wind)

BWB (Environmental)

Jensen Hughes (Fire)