Developer swaps offices for student accommodation in Waterloo Road

The site, currently occupied by Imprima House, is immediately north of the new H10 London Waterloo hotel.

Developers ORM received planning permission in 2008 for a seven-storey office building designed by local architects HKR, but now say that despite marketing the scheme there has been no interest.

ORM has now teamed up with student housing provider Unite to work up revised proposals for 37 student apartments containing approximately 145 bedrooms.

The design is based on the consented office scheme but the building would be slightly less tall.

A retail unit would be provided on the ground floor of the building, which sits between Waterloo Road and Dodson Street.

A public drop-in to enable local residents to see the proposals was held at the Living Space on Monday and a planning application will be submitted to Southwark Council shortly.

Unite currently has a large development of student accommodation under construction at the junction of Lavington Street and Great Suffolk Street.

Planning permission was recently granted for a 671-bed student residence also in Great Suffolk Street.