Former crown court redevelopment given go ahead

"iQ Student Accommodation will redevelop Blackfriars Crown Court, building accommodation for 600 students as well as 71 affordable homes. Southwark Council's planning committee voted to grant permission for the scheme, which will transform the site on Pocock Street, which has been vacant for six years. The building was originally constructed in the post-war period for use as a printworks HM Stationary Office, before later becoming a court."

"Under the proposals, the student accommodation will be contained in one block and will be made up of 350 studios and 40 shared flats. Students will have access to communal spaces including a cinema, karaoke room and gym. At its tallest, the housing block will be six storeys and will be made up of entirely affordable housing, including 23 one-beds, 34 two-beds, six three-beds and eight four-beds. A cafe as well as commercial floorspace is also set to be built on site."

"During the public consultation stage, the plans received two objections from the public, with concern raised over a lack of affordable housing, the concentration of student housing in the area, as well as the impacts on privacy and sunlight. In a report, a planning officer responded, saying the scheme was "considered appropriate for the area" and the plan for 40% affordable housing was "very good.""

Blackfriars Crown Court will be demolished and redeveloped to provide accommodation for 600 students and 71 affordable homes by iQ Student Accommodation. The student block will contain 350 studios and 40 shared flats with communal facilities including a cinema, karaoke room and gym. A separate housing block up to six storeys will provide 23 one-bed, 34 two-bed, six three-bed and eight four-bed affordable units, alongside a cafe and commercial floorspace. The Pocock Street site has been vacant for six years after prior use as a printworks and later a court. Two public objections raised concerns over affordability, student concentration, privacy and sunlight, while a planning officer described the scheme as considered appropriate and noted the 40% affordable housing provision as very good.

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