A proposed development next to the Old Southern Railway Stables, just north of Old Kent Road, has been rejected on appeal, ensuring the protection of a beloved local heritage spot.
The Old Forge site next to the Southern railway Stables on Caitlin Street
The buildings at the stables are local landmarks and non-designated heritage assets.
The planning application, originally submitted in January 2024, was for a new housing development on the Old Forge site on Caitlin St, next to the stables. However, the plans also involved partial demolition of some of the locally-listed buildings at the stables.
Although delivering more housing is a priority for Southwark, the council held that the bulk, scale and sheer size of the plans would have significantly changed the existing character of Old Forge and the surrounding area, and refused the application.
Commenting on the historic buildings, the council’s heritage officer said:
“The existing buildings are former stables and forge buildings, which date from the early 20th century. They are associated with the former railway sidings… these buildings form good examples of simple industrial buildings associated with the railway and wider industrial landscape of the Bricklayers Arms area and are on the council’s local list of historic buildings.”
The developers lodged their appeal in October 2024. The Inspector’s site visit took place on 8 May 2025 and the final decision letter was issued on 22 July 2025.
In dismissing the appeal, the Planning Inspector stated that:
“The proposed development would be a discordant and disproportionate addition to the area. It would not only overwhelm the Southern Railway Stables buildings including the Old Forge, diminishing the positive contribution they make to the streetscene, but as an incongruous and intrusive feature in the streetscene would dominate the surrounding much more modestly-scaled housing. It would therefore cause great and lasting harm to the character and appearance of the Old Forge, undermining its significance as an NDHA (non-designated heritage asset), and the wider area.”
The developer’s claim for costs against the council was also dismissed by the Planning Inspector, who stated that the council’s reasons for refusing the application were justified and well-founded.
Protecting Heritage
Southwark Council is committed to preserving and protecting the heritage of Old Kent Road while also delivering the new homes and infrastructure that the area needs.
Heritage projects in the area that have recently received council funding include the Kentish Drovers mural, the Canal Grove cottages and the Walworth Living Room.
In addition, many heritage sites and buildings throughout the neighbourhood have been locally-listed . These include Christ Apostolic Church on Ilderton Road; nineteenth century housing on Coburg Road and Trafalgar Road and the former Bird in Bush pub on the corner of Peckham Hill Street.
Find out more about Southwark’s heritage online at heritage.southwark.gov.uk or in person at the Southwark Heritage Centre on Walworth Road or at the Southwark Archives on Borough High Street.
