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Mayor gives green light to Eileen House


Mayor of London Boris Johnson has granted planning permission to developer Oakmayne for a 41-storey residential redevelopment of Eileen House in London's Elephant and Castle.

The decision comes more than two years after Johnson called in the application for his determination following refusal by Southwark Council in 2011.

The scheme will provide 335 flats, including 65 shared ownership homes, as well as shops, a public square and parkland.

Johnson had been due to determine the application last month, but postponed the decision to allow negotiations to continue between Oakmayne and nightclub Ministry of Sound which is located opposite the proposed development site.

The club has long been opposed to the proposals because it says noise complaints from the future residents would be likely to result in the club losing its license and forcing it to close. Oakmayne has altered the original design of the scheme to include acoustic glazing, sealed windows and internal ‘wintergardens’ to address the club’s concerns.

The Greater London Authority's planning officers said in their report recommending approval that “although further mitigation was not necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms, the amendments to the proposed conditions and planning obligations are welcomed and will provide comfort to the development’s neighbours that the development will be carried out as proposed, that the local planning authority will be provided with sufficient information required to discharge the conditions, and the proposed mitigation works will be implemented, retained and maintained as proposed.” 

"This scheme will deliver much-needed housing in Elephant and Castle while ensuring that the Ministry of Sound, one of London’s leading cultural and musical icons, can continue to thrive for years to come," said the Mayor in a statement.

“The Ministry of Sound makes a huge contribution to the area’s thriving night time economy. We want the club to be at the heart of our plans to transform the area into a thriving town centre which is attractive to live, work and play, particularly for young people and students."

“I have fully considered the concerns raised by the club, and having visited the site myself believe that, on balance, the amendments to the original plans should allow residents of the new development to coexist with visitors to the club,” Johnson said.

The development is part of a wider regeneration scheme in the Elephant and Castle area which will include more than 4,000 homes and the creation of 5,000 jobs.

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