Planning Consent for 7-storey mixed-use residential building in Lambeth

Rodić Davidson Architects have recently secured planning consent for a mixed-use residential building in Dorchester Parade, along Leigham Court Road, within the Streatham Hill Conservation Area in Lambeth. The consented scheme replaces a three-storey building, providing eighteen new apartments across seven storeys (21000sqft; an increase of 80% in area compare to the previously consented scheme).

Our brief was to enhance the architectural and urban design previously approved and maximise on-site housing provision, which was achieved by a contextual design, extensive greening and increased biodiversity. As agreed with Lambeth officers during pre-application meetings, the form and height of the building have been designed to repair the currently incongruous form of the urban block, providing a more attractive corner design and a clearer demarcation between the area of the taller mixed-use buildings within the Streatham Major Centre and the lower scale residential buildings outside it. By overall form of the building, its detailing and material palette, our design closely echoed Art Deco character of the immediate parade, as well as the prevailing style of the Conservation Area.

Our scheme provides two passenger lifts and two communal fire compliant staircases to enhance fire safety with four wheelchair accessible units enhancing the life-time cycle and inclusiveness of the application site. Additional commercial areas with internalised bicycle storage improved the local employment prospects whilst removing congestion on the public pavement previously approved.

The proposed street-facing facade consists of a light terracotta brick with undulating brickwork patterns to create a sense of horizontality to the front fenestration that is characteristic of the surrounding Art Deco style. The sixth and seventh floors are lightweight in appearance and recessed from street level with terrace planting. The generously sized Class E units will enhance the local job opportunities whilst animating street scene by large glazed windows facing the street at ground floor level. A high-quality green communal roof terrace with a children’s play area is designed to facilitate creation of block community but also enable enjoyment by all of the breathtaking long views reaching central London and thus anchoring all new homes firmly in the heart of the city.

Sustainability was an important consideration, hence the inclusion of renewable energy in the form of PV panels and air source heat pumps, which contribute to an overall improvement in regulated emissions over Building Regulations Part L by 79.51%.

Lambeth planning and conservation officers as well as Lambeth Councillors agreed that the proposed scheme will enhance the appearance and biodiversity of the site and will make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area whilst continuing to safeguard the living conditions of its neighbours, and despite some objections, at committee meeting on 23rd January 2024, concluded unanimously that the scheme is granted consent.