An appeal concerning a plan to deliver 258 new homes has been dismissed after an inspector believed the building would not create a balanced community.
The land in Kennington, which is currently occupied by a closed nursing home, was to be used for a 29 storey building and an adjacent four storey building. Of the 258 homes to be built, 50% were affordable housing and 9% were offered at social rent level.
Kennington is an area in South London, which is occupied by several historic buildings, and several listed buildings. The scheme proved not to be popular and received over 450 rejections. After a decision was not reached within the statutory time limit, the American property developer, Anthology, decided to bring an appeal which led to a ten day public inquiry at the end of 2020.
The Greater London Authority also fell into controversy after it agreed to loan nearly £22 million towards the development before any consent had been received. This was however recoverable in the event that planning consent was not granted, as was the case.
John Braithwait agreed that the proposed buildings had been inspired by a local Cinema Museum, and had been carefully considered. He decided this was not enough to make up for the impact it would have on the area, including a "less than substantial harm of high magnitude" on a listed water tower and building, "The Master's House".
The inspector was also worried about sunlight and said "residents of several properties adjoining the site would experience significant, and in one case severe, reduction in daylight in their most important rooms".
When dismissing the appeal he commented that this did not rule out any chance of future development on the site, but it would just have to be on a smaller scale to "secure public benefit without causing unacceptable harm".
