New homes for listed former school site

Plans to build new homes on an architecturally important former school site have been given planning permission by Lambeth Council.

The scheme for the part Grade II listed former Lilian Baylis School site in Lollard Street, Kennington will see the most significant buildings preserved.

Developer Henley Homes application to build 149 new homes on the three-acre site was approved by the Planning Applications Committee on Tuesday, January 15.

Conrad & Partners, the architecture practise co-started by design guru Sir Terence Conran, came up with the scheme on behalf of the developers.

Cllr Pete Robbins, Cabinet member for Housing & Regeneration, said: “Bringing listed buildings that had been at risk back into use is a significant achievement.

“Transferring part of the site to the community-led Black Prince Trust in 2011 was an early example of the cooperative council in action, and the Sports Action Zone is thriving. But it was vital that the remainder of the site also made a positive contribution locally.

“Refurbishing the hall for community use and the significant s106 contributions can bring real community benefits. I’m also pleased that it will provide some of the extra homes we need in Lambeth, particularly family and affordable homes.”

As part of the development the original school hall will be refurbished for community use and the regeneration project has an estimated contract value of £26million

The school building was completed in 1964, but vacated in 2005 when pupils moved to a new site in nearby Kennington Lane.

The council transferred ownership of the southern section of the site to local community organisation, the Black Prince Trust, in October 2011. The trust are investing £2million in boosting sports and community facilities on the site.

The development will include the refurbishment of the hall for a community use and Henley homes will also pay £500,000 in section 106 contributions which are paid by developers to councils to offset any disruption caused by building works.