Policy information sourced from Lambeth Local Plan 2020-2035

PN2: Vauxhall

A retail cluster will be created at Vauxhall, known as Vauxhall Cross. Mixed-use development will be supported that contributes to the creation of this centre including town-centre uses such as retail, employment, housing, leisure, entertainment and other creative, cultural and community uses in line with its Central Activities Zone (CAZ) designation and as part of the wider London Plan Vauxhall/Nine Elms/Battersea Opportunity Area (now known as Nine Elms Vauxhall).

This will be achieved by:

  • Creating a sustainable mix of high density development contributing to the delivery of the remaining potential for new homes and jobs, including construction jobs, in the Nine Elms Vauxhall area as a whole;
  • Promoting the new retail cluster, Vauxhall Cross, which will increase the vitality of the area and form a growth pole in keeping with the CAZ designation; creating opportunities for affordable retail; and focusing active frontage uses to support the retail cluster and underpin its viability, ensuring that the diverse evening economy offer is appropriately managed. At least 25 per cent of ground floor units within the retail cluster should be in retail use to meet the needs of local residents and workers. 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;
  • Reinforcing neighbourhood destinations at Black Prince Road, Old Paradise Street and Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens with new mixed-use development, including consolidation and expansion of the cultural and evening economy as part of a network of activities between places of interest;
  • Encouraging and facilitating the use of the railway arches as an active spine, a focus for employment and business, as well as a mix of uses which could include cultural, artistic and community uses in appropriate locations, along with routes for pedestrians and cyclists as part of the Low Line project;
  • Reconnecting Vauxhall to the river with new pedestrian links through the transformation of Vauxhall’s transport infrastructure and public realm, improving the riverside walk and enlivening the waterfront with activities;
  • The creation of a series of streets, spaces and places, revitalising Vauxhall with new active street frontages and a new public square fronting the main line station entrance as a focus for the new retail cluster;
  • Connecting and improving the existing green spaces, especially the Linear Park, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Vauxhall Park, Lambeth High Street Recreational Ground, Archbishops Park and Larkhall Park, and creating enlarged and new open spaces where possible;
  • Improving the transport experience throughout the area by reducing the dominance of road traffic, increasing the capacity of public transport infrastructure and maximising opportunities to walk and cycle safely and the existing one-way road system to make it two-way and the building of a new modern bus station and canopy supported by an improved, accessible public realm and connectivity with surrounding areas. Simplified road junctions and crossings will concentrate movements along natural desire lines throughout the whole area;
  • Working with TfL to investigate whether the one-way system at Kennington Lane/Durham Street/Harleyford Road can be replaced with a two-way system and to promote walking, cycling and public realm improvements on Albert Embankment and along the viaduct linking Vauxhall to Waterloo as part of the Low Line project. The council, supported by TfL, will also consider the introduction of traffic management measures to reduce through traffic on local streets. Developments must be at least traffic neutral to support the objective creating a new transport interchange. Increased use of the River Thames for transporting people and freight will also be promoted;
  • Implementing the council’s Healthy Route Network, including improvements for walking and cycling on Albert Embankment to provide a high quality link between Vauxhall and Waterloo;
  • Working with industry stakeholders to minimise the impact of construction activity in the area by planning and co-ordinating activities to reduce disruption, ensure safety, particularly for vulnerable road users, and reduce environmental impacts;
  • Supporting development that is appropriate to the different characteristics and roles of distinct character areas of Vauxhall. This includes:
    1. Lambeth Gateway
    2. Central Embankment
    3. Glasshouse Walk
    4. Vauxhall Cross
    5. Miles Street 6. Pascal Place

1 and 2. In the Lambeth Gateway and Central Embankment this means enhancing the appearance and character of Albert Embankment, with active ground-floor frontages and an expanded range of employment and residential uses. The area needs to become highly accessible and well connected to the surrounding area, maintaining and improving safe access to the River Thames.

3. At Glasshouse Walk, to reinforce the character of this area, lower density development than elsewhere in the Vauxhall area will be supported: developing a creative mixed-use quarter centred on Vauxhall Walk; maximising opportunities for the use of the railway arches for commercial, leisure and night-time uses; promoting creative uses around Vauxhall Walk; mproving existing public spaces including Pedlar’s Park; and regenerating Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens to create a high quality public green space that serves a community focal point which is highly connected, accessible, active and safe.

4, 5 and 6. At Vauxhall Cross, Miles Street and Pascal Place, town-centreled development, enhancing connectivity between Vauxhall Cross, the riverside and Nine Elms/Battersea to the south. This is consistent with the development underway.

In addition:

  • The council supports the highest standards of sustainable design and construction and measures to improve air quality. The implementation of, and connection to, district heating networks and other effective forms of CO2 reduction and climate change adaptation, including innovative approaches, will be required in line with Local Plan and London Plan policies and to support the implementation of VNEB (NEV) energy masterplan;
  • Remaining locations appropriate for tall buildings are identified in Annex 10. For greater detail on the composition of the cluster, see the Vauxhall Area SPD. The appropriateness of tall building development will be subject to acceptable impacts on the settings of heritage assets (especially the Westminster World Heritage Site). See Local Plan policies Q19 and Q26;
  • Social infrastructure, the public realm environment and green spaces will be further strengthened by Lambeth’s ongoing partnership working with organisations that are already operating in the locality including the business improvement district, Vauxhall One, Network Rail, Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall neighbourhood forum, TfL and landowners; and
  • Development and uses should link with the adjoining areas of the London Plan Opportunity Area in the neighbouring borough of Wandsworth and support the overall approach to development described in the OAPF. Development proposals should take account of the potential to redevelop adjoining or surrounding sites.

For more information please see the Local Plan