New Kent Road, Southwark
Planning Potential secured a unanimous resolution to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of New Kent Road, delivering 81 new homes on a prominent Opportunity Area site. Demonstrating our ability to unlock high-density urban housing, combining strategic policy advice, proactive engagement with the Council and GLA, and high-quality design coordination to secure unanimous committee support.
Challenge
The site at New Kent Road was previously occupied by a two-storey Kwik-Fit building and is located close to Elephant and Castle within a designated Opportunity Area. The proposals needed to respond sensitively to nearby listed buildings. strategic views and the amenity of immediate neighbours.
As a prominent site within an evolving policy context, the scheme also needed to demonstrate policy compliance and deliver clear public benefits, including affordable housing, while navigating scrutiny from both Southwark Council and the GLA.
Without a carefully managed planning and engagement strategy, the scheme risked objection, delayed termination and failure to realise the site's full housing potential.
Approach
Led detailed pre-application discussions with Southwark Council and the Greater London Authority
Delivered public exhibition and consultation to introduce proposals to local residents
Prepared detailed representations to the New Southwark Plan to promote a mixed-use strategy
Worked closely with the design team to achieve a policy-compliant and high-quality scheme
Maintained constant liaison with officers through submission, workshops and post-submission meetings
Outcome
Unanimous Planning Committee resolution secured to grant permission for 81 new homes
Policy-compliant affordable housing delivered including social rent family units
High-quality design supported by Members and Officers
Section 106 negotiations progressed alongside GLA referral