Conditional planning permission granted for Lambeth town hall redevelopment

The plans, submitted by Muse Developments in partnership with the Council, involve the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed town hall and the reuse or replacement of nearby buildings.

The scheme proposes the demolition of a parade of three-storey buildings at 1 to 7 Town Hall Parade and their replacement with a new six-storey office building to house the Council's civic offices. Existing Council offices at Hambrook House and Olive House are set to be demolished under the plans, with new mixed-use buildings up to 14 storeys and seven storeys high, respectively, taking their place. The upper floors of the new buildings are to contain 168 new homes, with commercial uses proposed at street level.

A further 26 homes are to be provided through the change of use of nearby Ivor House from Council offices to residential and commercial uses.  The scheme also includes the reuse of the single storey Press Building, currently in light industrial use, as a café and cycle store.

Of the 194 new one- to three-bedroom homes across the development, 40% are proposed to be affordable housing. A review mechanism will allow for additional funding to be provided to the Council for affordable housing should market conditions improve.

The scheme was discussed at a meeting of the Council's planning applications committee last week, having been recommended for approval in a planning officer's report.

Planning expert Victoria Lindsay of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com said: "As reported back in May 2015 when the application was submitted, this 'Your New Town Hall' scheme will streamline Lambeth Borough Council’s estate in order to rationalise and consolidate their position to improve efficiency, accessibility and delivery of services and functions whilst also providing homes, office space for local businesses, community and civic spaces."

"Housing is always a key focus area for London Boroughs and this scheme creates much needed housing within a highly accessible location with a relatively high percentage of affordable housing at 40%," said Lindsay. "Viability continues to be a much scrutinised component of the planning application process and a review mechanism will be secured in the section 106 legal agreement in order to allow for additional funding to be provided to the Council for affordable housing should market conditions improve."