Exciting plans submitted for the regeneration of Old Kent Road in Southwark
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Exciting plans submitted for the regeneration of Old Kent Road in Southwark

Published on 28 July 2023

In collaboration with our client Regal London with Shaw Corporation acting as development manager, JTP is delighted that a Detailed Planning Application has been submitted for Devonshire Place in Southwark, London.

Credit - Adam Flack

The brownfield urban regeneration will bring a renewed sense of life and high street character back to this stretch of Old Kent Road, replacing a petrol station and derelict industrial warehouses with a mixed-use community of 941 best-in-class student bedrooms and 200 affordable homes across four buildings of varying heights. Over 20% of the affordable homes are provided as either three or four bedroom dwellings for families or larger households and equate to over 40% affordable housing by habitable room across the scheme. A total of 75% of the affordable dwellings will also benefit from dual-aspect outlook, and include balconies that are 33% more generous than the London Plan and Southwark requirements.

The buildings will be supported by active ground-floor uses including a new GP surgery, grocery store, café and community hub, as well as an array of student amenities which is estimated to create up to 60 full-time jobs. The community hub will be over 1000 sqft and will be made available to residents and the existing local community as a free bookable space for community events and activities.

Buildings range in height from 15 to 33 storeys and are grouped into architectural families that bring variety and dynamism to the street scene and skyline. The four plots are articulated to respond to key routes and spaces within the masterplan including the north-south linear green link and east-west connections through the site from Tustin Estate to the future Livesey Park.

Community Hub - Credit JTP & HAZE
Ground Floor - Credit JTP & HAZE

The material palette for the residential buildings features a robust language that provides a strong edge to the street including dark red brickwork, bronze metalwork with complimenting lighter tones of white brick. The student buildings take on a different form to the residential buildings to add depth and articulation. Secondary colours in the student buildings respond to the brick colourway introduced in the residential buildings, and fade as height increases to add dynamism to the façade. The entrances are also celebrated and announced on prominent corners with double height colonnade and careful colour reveals.

A high-quality public realm will include a new public space fronting Old Kent Road, two new green public spaces on Sylvan Grove, 69 new trees and a comprehensive landscaping strategy across the site, resulting in a 0.4 Urban Greening Factor with more than 70% biodiversity net gain.

The proposals have been informed by continuous and active engagement with stakeholders and the local community from the outset of the design process. This collaborative process included two presentations to the Old Kent Road Community Design Review Panel for their feedback which helped to shape and guide the proposals in a positive forum. The design team also worked closely with the London Borough of Southwark and the Greater London Authority and TfL Planning and Transport Officers to produce a masterplan that is led by and delivers the key aspirations of the Old Kent Road Area Action Plan (OKR AAP).

Credit - JTP & HAZE
“
JTP is extremely proud to submit a detailed planning application for this new community along the historic Old Kent Road to unlock this site’s potential and act as a catalyst for regeneration. It has been a truly collaborative effort by the wider client and design team, working closely with local resident groups and Southwark Officers. Our team look forward to a positive resolution at Planning Committee later this year.
Ian Fenn, Partner at JTP
Credit - JTP & AVR London