Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
What are the key elements of your proposed development?
We are planning to redevelop the KFC site on Old Kent Road to create a 10-12 storey student housing scheme with 336 sqm. of commercial space at ground floor to replace the existing KFC restaurant located there.
As University of London is expected to be taking all of the student homes to serve its existing campuses in London, 35% of the student rooms will be affordable student bedrooms. The scheme will retain the existing mature trees to the rear of the site that will help create the setting for a large external garden and create new links between the new open spaces proposed at the Ruby Triangle and Livesey Park.
Overall we see the key benefits of the scheme being as follows:
- As a constrained site, student housing will add to the mix of land uses in the area placing less pressure on the site than a residential development.
- Our plans will create a slender 10-12 storey building that respects the proposed heights for buildings facing onto Old Kent Road.
- The removal of the KFC and associated traffic, litter and anti-social behaviour, and its replacement with a modern, sustainable and high-quality commercial unit.
- Significant improvements to the public realm and pedestrian and cycle experience around the site.
- The “greening” of the site through the creation of new green spaces at the front and rear of the site, the latter of which will connect with the chain of green spaces proposed between Ruby Triangle and Livesey park.
- As University of London will be taking all the student housing to serve its existing campuses in Southwark, our scheme will help poorer students studying in the area, with 35% of the rooms being offered as affordable student rooms.
- Our scheme can kick-start regeneration on this part of the Old Kent Road as University of London wants to occupy the student housing in September 2023. Other larger redevelopment schemes in the area are likely to be much slower to start.
Who is Tribe?
Tribe Student Housing was established in 2020 to provide student housing across London. Operating in Peckham, New Cross and Walthamstow, Tribe’s aim is to provide good quality affordable student housing for London’s student community.
Who will occupy the student rooms?
As all of the student rooms are expected to be occupied by the University of London that is looking to provide additional student accommodation to serve its existing campuses in Southwark, 35% of the student rooms will be offered as affordable student bedrooms.
Do you think the design and use of the development are appropriate for this part of the Old Kent Road?
The shape of the KFC site calls for a slender building facing onto Old Kent Road that respects the proposed heights for buildings facing onto the Old Kent Road and the townscape on this part of the Old Kent Road from new developments coming there. The building will rise to 10 storeys facing onto Old Kent Road, rising to 12 storeys to the rear of the site. This design also mediates between the retained low-rise building at 681-683 Old Kent Road and the newly consented schemes nearby.
In contrast to the taller and bulkier consented schemes nearby which have rich red brick facades, it is proposed to deliver a lighter, finer building that will create a relief in terms of height and architectural detail.
What amenity space will be created as part of the development?
As part of our scheme we aim to provide a total of 438 sqm. of external amenity space, 340 sqm of which will be publicly accessible space located at ground floor to the rear of the site with the retained mature trees providing an attractive setting. A large south-facing terrace will also be provided on the 1st floor dedicated to future occupiers, as well as internal amenity space including a large common room facing onto the garden. The front of the building will be set-back from the Old Kent Road creating a small area of public realm there.
What impact will the development have on the streetscape of this part of the Old Kent Road and what public realm is proposed as part of the development?
A slim profile facing onto the Old Kent Road introduces a finer urban grain mirroring the footprint of Christchurch, Peckham opposite and encouraging a green link connecting our proposals with the emerging public realm. Slender proportions present an opportunity to form an elegant frontage using light tones to break up the emerging Old Kent Road streetscape, using a stepped form to signify a route into Hyndman Street.
What materials will be used in the development?
In contrast to the consented schemes nearby which have rich red brick facades it is proposed to deliver a lighter, finer building that will create a relief in terms of height and architectural detail.
What plans are there for regeneration on the Old Kent Road?
The KFC site lies in the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area, an area proposing significant regeneration, poised to deliver 20,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs over the next 10-20 years. The Opportunity Area also proposes an extension of the Bakerloo Line that will provide two new underground stations along Old Kent Road by 2030. The closest will be a three-minute walk from the site and will provide direct services to Oxford Circus in 14 minutes. In addition to the proposed Bakerloo Line Extension (BLE), funding has been secured for capacity improvements to the East London Line, which will result in a new station at Surrey Canal Road (known as “New Bermondsey”) just across the Borough boundary in LB Lewisham, within walking distance of the KFC site. It is expected to be open in 2023, much earlier than the BLE, which will significantly improve the accessibility of this part of the Old Kent Road.
Why have you chosen a student housing scheme as opposed to conventional housing?
As the KFC site is bounded by roads on all side it is relatively constrained “island site”. Student housing will add to the mix of land uses in the area placing less pressure on the site than a residential development.
Will you be sourcing local labour for the construction process?
Yes, this will be outlined as a requirement in the contract that the main contractor selects and employs local people and apprentices at various levels of the NVQ (or equivalent) qualification. It is proposed that a large proportion of these apprentices are recruited locally.
What will happen to the existing KFC restaurant operating on site?
KFC have stated that they no longer wish to operate a restaurant at this site. This should reduce both traffic, litter and anti-social behaviour around the site.
What will happen to the workers required for the running and maintenance of the Scheme?
The project will comply with all Southwark’s employment policy in relation to employing local people as well as aligning to the London living wage program.
What stage of the planning process are you at?
We are currently undertaking pre-planning application consultation. We intend to submit a planning application in the Autumn of 2020.
Is the site inside a Conservation Area?
The site is not within a conservation area although the grade II listed Camberwell public library and Livesey Museum at 682 Old Kent Road is located nearby.
What other planning applications have been submitted or approved on this part of the Old Kent Road?
Close to the KFC site there have been a number of significant planning applications that have planning approval:
- Avanton obtained planning permission for the Ruby Triangle site in October 2018 for a mixed-use scheme of five buildings containing 1,152 homes with maximum heights of 17, 40 and 48 storeys together with a new community sports hall and fitness centre, new connections and open space including a public park, flexible commercial space including incubator workspace and studios for local entrepreneurs.
- Avanton & Urban & Provincial obtained a resolution to grant planning approval in June 2020 at the Carpetright site (651 Old Kent Road) for two buildings of 10 and 19 storeys containing 262 homes and 20,000 sift. of office space.
- Acorn Commercial obtained planning approval in November 2019 for a mixed-use scheme of up to 22 storeys on the land between Ruby Street, Murdock Street and the Old Kent Road to create 111 new homes and 2,000 sqm of workspace, retail and café uses and the re-provision of the existing church and community facility.
What provisions have been made for servicing of the development?
Servicing of our building will place less pressure on the Old Kent Road than a residential development and can be easily serviced from Hyndman Street and Ruby Street. With no requirement for a drive-through restaurant our scheme will be car free reducing the pressure on Ruby Street and Hyndman Street and facilitating the closing off of Ruby Street from the Old Kent Road.
What level of disabled parking will be provided for the scheme?
The scheme has been designed as a car-free development, in line with the Mayors draft New London Plan.
Will there be cycle parking on site?
There will be 205 long-term cycle parking spaces as well as short-stay cycle parking on Ruby Street and the Old Kent Road
How long will the building take to build?
As University of London want to occupy the student rooms by September 2023, it is proposed to submit a planning application in the Autumn of 2020, with construction to commence in summer 2021.
Will the building be ‘green’? Will there be any on-site renewable energy generation; will the development be carbon neutral; will the building be energy efficient?
We are committed that our new development should be designed to very high sustainability standards that reduce carbon emissions through the use of relevant energy saving equipment including PV panels and air source heat pumps.
What will be the working hours of construction workers?
The London Borough of Southwark will limit construction hours as follows:
- 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday
- 8am to 1pm Saturdays
There will be no nighttime working during construction.
How much disruption will there be during construction?
A construction management plan will be implemented to minimise disruption during the construction phase. This would be a condition of any permission received and would be formulated in close liaison with LB Southwark’s Transport team.
Copyright © 2021 671-679 Old Kent Road - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. Privacy Policy