'Compact living' flats proposed for New Kent Road

Eden Vale Global Ltd – which doesn't appear on the UK register of companies – has applied to Southwark Council for permission to redevelop the light industrial buildings on the north side of New Kent Road between the Esso petrol station and the Bartholomew Street junction, to the south of Ark Globe Academy.

The proposed nine-storey building has been designed by CarsonSall architects.

According to the developer, "the 109 residential units will provide 44 studios and 65 one bedroom flats, as part of a compact-living scheme to meet the needs of first time buyers.

"The units are an affordable housing product, designed specifically for first time buyers who live and work locally. They will provide discounted market sales housing, sold at a discount of at least 20 per cent of the market sale value and bought outright by eligible future residents."

Whilst the 38 sq m one-bedroom flats are said to meet space standards, the developer acknowledges that the 32 sqm studio flats will not.

The developer's planning statement continues: "It is noted that the studio units fall short of the nationally described space standards and this is due to the compact-living style of the proposed housing type where focus is placed on the functionality of the unit so that each one is fit for purpose as a low-cost homes both for construction and long-term occupation purposes.

"This means minimising unnecessary circulation space to provide modestly proportioned units which are of a scale appropriate to their occupier and using high quality design, including floor to ceiling windows, maximisation of dual aspect units and built in storage to optimise the way in which the space can be used and feels."

For more details see planning application 19/AP/1189