168 new homes approved for Aldi site, Old Kent Road

Southwark Council’s Planning Committee approved 168 new homes for the Aldi site at 840 Old Kent Road, last night.

The proposal to demolish the existing building and replace it with a new, taller building, including 168 new homes (36 per cent of which will be affordable housing), was approved by the council’s Planning Committee on 5 February, subject to referral to the Mayor of London.

As well as new homes and a new, high-quality Aldi store, the development also includes a second, flexible space on the ground floor and improvements to the surrounding area. The scheme includes a large children’s play area and there will be a £359k contribution to improvements to nearby Brimmington Park. It will also generate new jobs for Old Kent Road, both in its construction and in future.

Reducing air pollution and improving health and the environment are amongst the council’s key objectives for the regeneration of Old Kent Road.

As well as improving the park, the Aldi scheme will provide 25 new charging points for electric vehicles and the building will utilise communal heating that can be connected to the SELCHP network in future. Overall, the development will achieve a 37 per cent greater reduction in CO2 emissions than currently required by building regulations.

Cllr Johnson Situ, Cabinet Member for Growth, Development and Planning, said:

“Our vision for Old Kent Road is to build on its unique creative character, as a place where industry can thrive alongside new homes and quality open spaces.

This new development is a great fit with our wider Old Kent Road regeneration plans. It offers high quality architectural standards amongst a cluster of taller buildings in this part of Old Kent Road.

It will also provide benefits for the local community including at least 36 per cent affordable housing; new jobs; new retail and improvements to the local area. It will make this part of the street more active (and therefore safer) and will make a substantial contribution to the improvements planned at nearby Brimmington Park.”

Read more about the benefits of regenerating Old Kent Road