City Hall overrules Southwark Council to approve £500m Bermondsey Biscuit Factory Scheme

City Hall has overruled Southwark Council to approve a £500m development on Bermondsey’s Biscuit Factory despite concern over a ‘shortfall’ of social housing as the plans, initially thrown out by Southwark’s planning committee over a lack of affordable homes, will see existing buildings owned by Grosvenor in the Biscuit Factory demolished for the creation of 1,548 build-to-rent homes.

Southwark News writes:

Compass School, currently in unsuitable premises on Drummond Road, will get a new “state-of-the-art” school in the development due to open its doors in September 2023.

“The site has the potential to deliver more than 1,500 new homes in an area of London with a high demand for affordable housing,” said Deputy Mayor Jules Pipe, acting on behalf of Sadiq Khan, as he approved the decision this morning.

“Overall, it would make a significant contribution towards the regeneration of this part of Bermondsey.”

However, ward councillors and Southwark Council have voiced fears that the ‘affordable’ homes are not truly affordable for Bermondsey residents, and that the 140 social homes fall short of the minimum number demanded by planning policy.

This ‘shortfall’ is despite the fact that Grosvenor, responsible for the application, is headed up by the billionaire Duke of Westminster.

“While we all recognize the housing crisis and the need to build homes, that cannot be pursued at the expense of building the homes that people can actually afford to live in,” said Cllr Hamish McCallum (Lib Dem, North Bermondsey).

“Who will these “affordable” properties be ‘affordable’ to – because it certainly won’t be my constituents?”

He added following the decision: “This will obviously be a huge disappointment to hundreds of local residents who will be impacted by the heights and other impacts of this scheme.”

Cllr Leo Pollak (Labour, South Bermondsey) said he recognised the efforts of the Mayor in getting more homes secured in this round of the application.

Previously Grosvenor had offered 27.5% ‘affordable’ and no social homes at all.

“Grosvenor has a long, proud tradition of genuine affordable housing – but this tradition has been abandoned in this instance.”

However, the news has been welcomed by some in Bermondsey – most notably Compass School which will get a brand-new school building.

“It’s a fantastic day for our community and those who have fought for our pupils’ rights to have the very best facilities,” said headteacher Marcus Huntley.

The school has been occupying temporary premises for the past seven years.

Others who spoke in favour of the application being approved include Russell Dryden, chair of the Blue Bermondsey BID and Sheila Taylor, chair of the Cherry Garden TRA.

“[Grosvenor’s plans] felt like a 21st century version of the council estate I grew up in as a child,” said Ms Taylor.

And in a riposte to housing campaigners 35 per cent campaign, who spoke in opposition, Mr Dryden, a Blue Market trader, said: “We’ve heard from the 35 per cent campaign … well I’d like to say that I’m from the 100 per cent campaign – 100 per cent Bermondsey.”

Grosvenor’s executive director of Major Projects, Simon Harding-Roots, said the firm wanted to “bring lasting social and commercial benefit to the communities where we work.”

“We are committed to the area and will ensure that the transformation of the Biscuit Factory happens quickly and directly supports all those living and working in this part of the borough.”

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