The joint venture between Places for London, TfL’s property company, and Helical has received planning approval for the development of a 15-storey purpose-built student accommodation scheme (PBSA) above Southwark tube station.
The development will comprise 429 studio apartments and an adjacent nine-storey building offering 44 affordable homes.
Designed by architects AHMM, the development will include a new Bauhaus-inspired block, which will house the PBSA element, new retail space and community space, including a shared community garden, in addition to improvements to the public realm.
Planning permission was originally granted for a 17-storey office building on the site in 2021, however, these plans were revised and the proposals for the new PBSA development were put forward in 2024.
Scott Anderson, head of property development at Places for London, said: “It’s wonderful news to have received approval for our over station development above Southwark station. Designed to preserve the architectural heritage of the station and aiming for the highest of sustainability standards, our plans with Helical will bring new homes and provide real benefits for London.
“We’re proud to be providing improvements to the local community through new high-quality and affordable homes and student accommodation which will help to alleviate pressure on the housing market in the area. We’re glad to be able to move forward with our plans where residents will benefit from new, high-quality public spaces, including a community garden space, new play spaces for children and shops around the station.”
Matthew Bonning Snook, CEO of Helical, added: “This planning approval is a further positive step forward in our JV with Places for London. Whilst the site benefitted from planning permission for a 220,000 sq ft office scheme we have brought forward a more valuable proposition at this important site which will deliver much in demand purpose built student accommodation and affordable housing along with high quality public realm and significant benefits to the local community.”
Philip Turner, director at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, said: “The Southwark over station development will be a significant new local landmark at a busy junction. Led by our clients Helical and Places for London, and working closely with Heyne Tillett Steel, our design seeks to make the most of this long-standing opportunity site while addressing the complexities of its location above the tube station. This project will deliver student housing, retail space, and public realm improvements, in addition to a significant amount of affordable housing for the local community.”
