New council homes and community hall set to go ahead in St Giles after planning approval

3 August 2021

Plans to redevelop the Lettsom Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) hall at Vestry Road in St Giles, Southwark, have been given the go ahead after being granted planning permission on Tuesday 27 July 2021. 

Southwark Council plans to build a new TRA hall with 11 high-quality new council homes on the upper floors, and carry out landscaping to the communal area behind the building. 

Southwark Council has one of the most ambitious council homes building programmes in London, aiming to deliver 2,500 new council homes by May 2022. In line with the council’s local lettings policy, at least 50 per cent of the new homes will be offered to local tenants in housing need who live in the immediate area. The remaining homes will be allocated to others on the council’s housing waiting list.

Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Council Homes and Homelessness, said: “I’m really excited about the Vestry Road development which will provide a new, upgraded TRA hall for local residents here as well as creating much-needed new council homes for the local community.

“Innovations such as this can transform underused spaces in our borough to create the affordable housing our residents desperately need. With over 15,000 households on our housing waiting list, we are looking at all the options available to provide as many new council homes as we can and improve the lives of our residents.”

The new development, designed by architects Fraser Brown Mackenna, will create a new TRA hall with modern facilities in a sustainable and contemporary five-storey building. The flexible layout will allow for several activities to be enjoyed at the same time in the hall. The upper levels will contain 11 new council homes, made up of one, two and three bedroom flats.

The new development will replace the existing covered walkway with a wider, more open and inviting pathway into the estate. This will lead on to a landscaped courtyard area and playground for estate residents. The building has been designed to harmonise with the surrounding properties in its size and aesthetic.

Building works are projected to start on site in spring 2022 and are expected to complete in winter 2023.  

Page last updated: 09 August 2021