Policy information sourced from Lambeth Local Plan 2020-2035

PN10: Loughborough Junction

  • The council will work with local stakeholders to support the role of Loughborough Junction as a local centre with a clear identity and sense of place. This will be done by using the railway bridges, viaducts and railway arches as a catalyst for change, making greater use of under-used spaces and places and bringing forward new housing where appropriate. The council will:
    • support sensitive new development which makes better use of under-used spaces and places to improve amenity, increase public safety and the appearance of the area;
    • support improvements to the local centre’s retail and leisure offer and community facilities so residents can access essential services within walking or cycling distance of their homes;
    • encourage new employment uses in the area, particularly development that brings vacant and/or dilapidated railway arches back into use;
    • support development that enhances the character of the area’s various yards and maintains a mix of uses;
    • support proposals that enhance the growth of creative and digital industries in the Brixton Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ);
    • support proposals that increase the permeability, accessibility, navigability and safety of the area through improvements to existing walking and cycling routes and the creation of new, healthy, safe and accessible routes and opening up of key routes to previously inaccessible sites. Proposals to open up routes alongside railway arches and to contribute to the Low Line project will be supported. Proposals that harm accessibility in the town centre will be resisted;
    • support measures to improve local air quality;
    • protect existing open space and support measures that improve access to open space and increase green infrastructure, including the creation of green chains that link together the area’s open spaces; and
    • require development proposals to contribute to improvements to the quality, accessibility and safety of the public realm in the vicinity of the site.
  • When considering proposals affecting existing community facilities, in addition to the requirements of Local Plan policies S1 and/or EN1, the council will ensure the maintenance of an adequate supply supervised facilities for children and young people, as well as other community facilities to meet local needs.
  • The council will work with local groups to improve transport infrastructure to respond to growing demand. This will prioritise walking, cycling and the use of public transport over car use and seek improvements to the station, including step-free access. The council will plan for and promote a reduction in the number of people driving through the Loughborough Junction area, particularly for journeys under two miles, including through the provision of Cycleways and green routes. The Healthy Route Network identifies a number of priority links for walking and cycling to provide connections to Brixton, Camberwell, Herne Hill and Oval. Brixton Liveable Neighbourhood includes the provision of enhanced walking and cycling links to Brixton town centre.
  • New and existing walking and cycling routes should be enhanced to reduce crime and the fear of crime through improved lighting, particularly under bridges, through arches, and alongside viaducts, and frontages should be activated to create surveillance. Bike-hire stations, and car club/hire facilities, and electric vehicle charging points should be provided throughout the area.
  • The council will work with industry stakeholders to minimise the impact of construction activity in the area by planning and co-ordinating activities to reduce disruption, ensure safety, especially for vulnerable road users, and reduce environmental impacts.
  • An opportunity exists to comprehensively refurbish and convert the Rathgar Road railway arches and associated public realm to achieve a mix of space for small businesses, that include workspace and maker space; community facilities; and cafes and restaurants that complement the nearby local town centre and are supported by environmental and accessibility improvements. The council will support proposals that achieve these objectives as part of a comprehensive approach, subject to the following requirements:
    • no fewer than six railway arches are for office, research and development and light industrial/social infrastructure uses and no more than six railway arches are for café and restaurant uses;
    • it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the council that proposed café and restaurant uses in the arches would complement the existing local centre and they could not be provided within existing vacant premises in the local centre;
    • it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the council that appropriate engagement with and support for existing tenants would be provided, including consideration of alternative locations;
    • potential harm to neighbouring residential uses is assessed and appropriately mitigated; including through controls on opening hours;
    • the proposal would deliver appropriate public realm improvements along Rathgar Road;
    • improve connectivity to the local centre and through railway arches where possible and support integration with and connectivity to the local centre; and
    • the proposal would include improvements to the back of the arches facing the LJ works site, including façade and lighting improvements.Proposals for the Rathgar Road arches that do not achieve these objectives in a comprehensive way will be assessed against all other relevant Local Plan policies, including ED6 Railway arches. Where necessary and justified to achieve the objectives of this policy, the council will use conditions and/or planning obligations in new development proposals to limit uses consented within Class E.
  • The council will support improvements to Loughborough Junction’s yards, including:
    • Wickwood Street and Railway Arches (Loughborough Road Key Industrial and Business Area) - improvements to existing workspace in the railway arches and new servicing facilities.
    • Higgs Yard – improvements to the pedestrian and cycling environment at the junction of Coldharbour Lane/Herne Hill Road and improve the relationship of the Higgs development with the adjacent railway arches.
    • Hardess Yard – improvements to workspace and reinstatement of the route from Hinton Road to Hardess Street. Working with the freeholder of the arches and leaseholders, the council will explore the potential to create dual aspect units in the railway arches, including those facing the Higgs development, where possible.
    • Ridgway and Orphans Yard – retention of and improvements to existing arches in Ridgway Road and Orphans Yard, improving the relationship with Wyck Gardens and the pedestrian environment on Ridgway Road. Working with the freeholder of the arches and leaseholders, the council will explore the potential to group car repair businesses to towards the western end of Ridgway Road, enabling other types of small business to occupy the eastern arches.

For more information please see the Local Plan