Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan

HO7 Purpose built student accommodation

Strategic Objectives:

A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,

B Housing tailored to the community with genuinely affordable homes,

G Healthy and safe communities.

A Development proposals for Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) will be supported where they robustly demonstrate through evidence that:

  • They help to meet an identified need for this type of housing (giving priority to the local student population), will not compromise delivery against the Borough’s strategic housing target and principal need for conventional housing, and will not result in a harmful overconcentration of PBSA taking into account:
    1. The amount of PBSA within the Borough and the area within which the development is proposed, having regard to past delivery and consented but undelivered PBSA; and
    2. The proportion of PBSA provided in relation to the overall mix of housing within the development, and where relevant a masterplan or site allocation.
  • The accommodation is secured for use by students, as demonstrated by an agreement with one or more specific higher education provider(s); and
  • The maximum level of accommodation is secured on-site as affordable student accommodation to ensure that it contributes to creating mixed and balanced communities, in line with national planning policy and the London Plan. The London Plan’s fast-track approach will be applied to proposals where it is appropriate.

B Development proposals for PBSA must be appropriately located:

  • At well-connected sites that are easy to access by walking, cycling and public transport;
  • Within or at the edge of town centres, or other locations that benefit from good provision of shops, services, leisure and community facilities appropriate to the student population; and
  • Giving priority to sites located in proximity to the education facility the development is intended to serve, or other higher education institutions in the Borough.

C Development proposals for PBSA must be of a high quality design, giving particular consideration to:

  • Adequate functional living space and layout with good-sized bedrooms and well integrated communal areas and facilities, with a recommended benchmark of 1 square metre of internal and 1 square metre of external communal amenity space per student bed;
  • Inclusive and safe design, including provision for wheelchair accessible accommodation, spaces and facilities;
  • Amenity of occupiers and neighbouring properties including consideration for outlook, daylight and sunlight, noise and ventilation;
  • Adequate on-site cycle parking facilities; and e. Accommodation that is suitable for year round occupation.

D All development proposals for PBSA must be accompanied by a site management and maintenance plan, to be secured by planning condition.

E Development proposals involving the loss of PBSA will be refused unless it can be suitably demonstrated that:

  • There is no local need or demand for student accommodation to serve the existing or another higher education institution in the area; or
  • Adequate replacement accommodation will be provided in an appropriate location accessible to the higher education institution it serves.

F Where the loss of PBSA is acceptable in line with (E) above, development proposals must secure the re-provision of an equivalent amount of floorspace for residential use, including an element of affordable housing, where appropriate.

For more information and policy context please see the Lewisham Local Plan