Policy information sourced from Lambeth Local Plan 2020-2035

H7: Student housing

The council will seek to manage the development of sites for student housing to ensure the availability of land to meet priority housing and employment needs and the achievement of mixed and balanced communities. Proposals for student housing will be supported where it can be demonstrated that the development:

  • does not compromise capacity to meet the need for conventional dwellings, especially affordable family homes, nor displace other key uses such as employment development. Proposals should not result in the loss of employment land or floorspace, unless relevant policy tests (set out in section 6 of the Local Plan) are met, or the loss of existing self-contained dwellings;
  • forms part of a mixed-use development;
  • is supported by evidence of a linkage with one or more higher education provider (HEP) in Lambeth, or within a reasonable travelling distance of Lambeth, as defined in the London Plan. This evidence must include confirmation that the proposed rental levels for the student accommodation are supported by the linked HEP(s) and that the majority of the bedrooms in the development including all of the affordable student accommodation will be secured through a nominations agreement for occupation by students of one or more HEP, for the lifetime of the scheme, as required by London Plan policy H15;
  • would not lead to an over-concentration of similar uses which may be detrimental to the balance and mix of uses in the area or place undue pressure on local infrastructure, and includes a student management plan that, to the satisfaction of the Council, will appropriately mitigate potential harm to residential amenity;
  • is located in an area with good public transport access, and easy access to local shops, work places, services and community facilities;
  • provides a range of accommodation types, including cluster flats with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities unless justification is provided as to why this would not be appropriate;
  • is well-designed, providing appropriate space standards and facilities and is sustainable by virtue of being adaptable to alternative residential use;
  • provides high-quality cycle parking facilities in accordance with Local Plan policies T3 and Q13. Pool bikes are particularly appropriate for student housing.

Student housing will be secured by planning obligation or condition relating to the use of land or to its occupation by members of specified educational institutions. Where the accommodation is not secured for students, the development will be considered large-scale purpose-built shared living and considered under London Plan policy H16 and Local Plan policy H13.

The requirements of London Plan policy H15A4 relating to provision of affordable student accommodation will apply.

Leisure facilities within purpose-built student accommodation should be made available for public use in locations where there is an identified shortage of provision. This will be secured through planning obligations.

Temporary use of purpose-built student accommodation during vacation periods for ancillary uses will normally be supported.

The loss of existing student accommodation will be resisted unless it is demonstrated that the facility no longer caters for current or future needs and the floorspace is replaced by another form of residential accommodation that meets other development plan requirements.

For more information please see the Local Plan