Policy information sourced from Lambeth Local Plan 2020-2035

PN3: Brixton

Brixton’s role as a distinctive, multicultural and diverse major town centre will be safeguarded and promoted through careful and sensitive regeneration, recognising its local distinctiveness and historic built environment, and supporting economic, social and environmental sustainable development. A key objective of the Brixton Economic Action Plan is to develop a broader and more resilient local economy. 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.

This will be achieved by:

  • A. requiring, in the primary shopping area, that the proportion of retail units does not fall below 60 per cent and that the proportion of food and drink uses does not exceed 25 per cent, taking account of unimplemented planning permissions for change of use. In addition, no more than 2 in 5 consecutive ground floor units in the primary shopping area should be in food and drink use at one time. No more betting shops or payday loan shops will be supported within the centre as a whole.
  • B. requiring, in the indoor markets (as shown on the Policies Map), that no less than 50 per cent of floorspace should be in shop use and no more than 50 per cent floorspace should be in café and restaurant use within each indoor market (Brixton Village, Market Row, Reliance Arcade), subject to a management plan being in place that is agreed between the council and the managers of the indoor markets. The thresholds for shop and café/ restaurant floorspace for each indoor market relate to ground floor units and connected upper floors that share the same access for each indoor market. Public houses, wine bars and drinking establishments (including with expanded food provision) in the indoor markets will not be permitted on both the ground floor and upper floors. All independently accessed upper floorspace in each indoor market currently in community, office, research and development use or light industrial use will be protected.
  • C. implementing an evening economy management zone which will seek to support the growth and diversification of the evening and night-time economy whilst managing its impact on local residents and the local environment. In the evening economy management zone, the proportion of units in food and drink, evening and night-time economy uses should not exceed 40 per cent, taking account of unimplemented planning permissions for change of use. No more than 10 per cent of ground floor units in the evening economy management zone should be in public house, wine bar, or drinking establishment (including with expanded food provision) use. In addition, no more than 3 in 5 consecutive ground floor units should be in food and drink, evening and night-time economy uses, taking account of unimplemented planning permissions for change of use. There will be a presumption against the use of rooftops and terraces for food and drink, evening and night-time economy uses in the evening economy management zone unless it can be robustly demonstrated there will be no harmful impact as a result of these uses.
  • D. outside of the primary shopping area, indoor markets (as shown on the Policies Map) and evening economy management zone, ground floor uses in the town centre should be in commercial, business, service, learning, non-residential institution, local community or appropriate sui generis use. The proportion of units in public house, wine bar, drinking establishment (including with expanded food provision) and nightclub use should not exceed 5 per cent and no more than 2 in 5 consecutive ground floor units should be in public house, wine bar, drinking establishment (including with expanded food provision) or nightclub use. This should take account of unimplemented planning permissions for change of use.
  • E. supporting the Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) through the promotion and growth of the existing cluster of creative and digital industries active in Brixton and complementing the wider aspirations for Brixton’s economy. Applications within the CEZ for development including office, research and development and light industrial floorspace will be supported where they:
    • maximise the amount of market, flexible, low-cost and affordable workspace suitable for creative and digital industries in accordance with Local Plan policies ED1 and ED2;
    • provide a mix of workspace typologies for different types and sizes of businesses with a focus on start-up, incubator and grow-on space for creative and digital industries that diversify and strengthen the sector; and
    • provide space, such as meeting rooms and exhibition spaces, which promotes networking and information sharing between businesses and sectors within the creative and digital industries and that can be accessed by local community groups.
  • F. securing traffic reduction and initiatives to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality; the creation of new high-quality, safe, accessible and animated public spaces with increased green infrastructure; improvements in provision for pedestrian movement and cyclists; improved linkages within the town centre and connections with adjoining areas; and communal use of public spaces and public art.
  • G. improving the quality of public transport provision and interchange; seeking further improvements in the quality and connectivity of public transport such as a fully accessible refurbished mainline train station; working with TfL to open the rear entrance to Brixton Underground Station on Electric Lane; delivering a cycle parking hub near the tube station; and exploring opportunities to improve access to east to west rail links.
  • H. supporting a new mainline rail station building that improves arrival to and departure from the station and town centre, and incorporates inclusive access to north and south bound platforms. The new station building and access arrangements will be expected to reduce platform congestion, promote better interchange and improve the passenger experience. Development proposals in the vicinity of the station and that will directly benefit from these improvements will be expected to contribute towards their delivery.
  • I. implementing town-centre energy and waste management strategies involving a wide range of sustainable elements and innovation and supporting this delivery through planning obligations. This could include provision of sustainable waste management and recycling facilities or district heating networks, and permanently moving the town centre waste compactors from their temporary location on Brixton Station Road.
  • J. Somerleyton Road area – in accordance with site allocation 14, promoting options for mixed-use development: improving the residential mix and housing layouts and street patterns; providing employment space including affordable and flexible workspace, cultural and community industries, green industries, community facilities, educational facilities, Ovalhouse theatre / arts facilities; improved green and play space; active / overlooking street frontages; and improved public realm and linkages with adjoining areas.
  • K. supporting development on sites 15 and 16 in accordance with the site allocation policies for those sites and the guidance and principles set out in the Brixton Central Supplementary Planning Document. The ground floor mix of uses should contribute directly to the future viability and vitality of the town centre in accordance with PN3a), PN3d) and PN3e). The design of the development proposals should complement and enhance the permeability and quality of public spaces and improve pedestrian and cycle movements through this part of the town centre. Development proposals will also be expected to contribute towards wider public realm improvements in this part of the town centre to facilitate a comprehensive and unified approach.
  • L. requiring changes of use in the railway arches in Brixton Central to address the requirements of Local Plan policy ED6 and the guidance provided in the Brixton Central Supplementary Planning Document.
  • M. supporting and delivering public realm improvements to the section of Brixton Station Road between Pope’s Road and Brixton Road and the section of Pope’s Road between Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road, that provide an improved trading environment for the outdoor market and shops by enhancing the street market’s infrastructure, seating, lighting, landscaping, wayfinding and servicing. Development proposals in this part of the town centre will be expected to contribute to this objective in their design and through appropriate planning obligations.
  • N. supporting and delivering public realm improvements to the section of Brixton Station Road between Pope’s Road and Valentia Place that provide an improved setting for new development and redeveloped railway arches by creating a pedestrian and cycle-friendly street that incorporates tree planting and meets the servicing needs of new development. Development proposals in this part of the town centre will be expected to contribute to this objective in their design and through appropriate planning obligations.
  • O. Atlantic Road – encourage major investment in the public realm to prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and buses, supporting the Brixton Liveable Neighbourhood project; safeguard adequate provision for servicing for businesses on Atlantic Road, Electric Avenue and the indoor markets; and provide better pedestrian connections between Brixton Village and Market Row indoor markets, Electric Avenue and Pope’s Road street markets and the mainline train and London Underground stations.
  • P. Electric Lane – encourage public realm improvements to the street, including around the entrances to Reliance Arcade and Market Row indoor markets; work with TfL to re-open the rear entrance to the London Underground Station; opportunity for an off-street cycling parking hub as part of creating an improved transport interchange on land off Electric Lane; opportunity for relocating market infrastructure on land off Electric Lane.
  • Q. Coldharbour Lane – opportunities for mixed-use activities at street level and public realm improvements between Brixton Village and Somerleyton Road redevelopment.
  • R. Brixton Road – Brixton’s ’high street’ has seen significant highway improvements: further expected improvements include the delivery of the Streatham to Oval cycle way through the town centre including safety improvements to key junctions, traffic management and air quality improvement measures, improved connections to surrounding areas; the creation of a strong visual marker at the junction of Brixton Road and Stockwell Road; preserving and enhancing the conservation area; improving the range and quality of shopping; promoting active uses on upper floors; public realm improvements; new pocket parks; and mixed-use development of key sites.
  • S. Acre Lane – the Tesco site provides a potential opportunity for mixedused redevelopment. Public realm improvements along Acre Lane will be supported.

For more information please see the Local Plan