Southwark UDP Inspectors Report wrote:
Proposals Site 39P: Prospect House Playground, St George's Road
OBJECTIONS (list of objectors deleted - LR)
MAIN ISSUE Whether this land should be identified as an Early Housing Site.
INSPECTOR'S REASONING AND CONCLUSIONS
1.8.2.89 This 0.24 ha site consists mainly of a children's play area and kick-about area, together with 6 or so car parking spaces. Squirrels, foxes and birds are attracted to its open space. It is located at the frontage of St George's Road between residential blocks of 4/5 storeys to the east and 4 storeys to the west. Prospect House is to the north, a block of 11 storeys. The surroundings are thus mainly residential, being part of the Gaywood Estate. There should be no objection to further residential development here, and the 14 dwellings noted in the illustrative plans is a reasonable ambition.
1.8.2.90 Prospect House is sited in the centre of an open space which contains some good trees, and there should be ample opportunity to relocate the children's play area and kick-about area in it, or perhaps close to it. A position for these areas further away from the road frontage should result in less noisy surroundings. That would be of benefit to the children.
1.8.2.91 Ms Nugneri and Mr Flynn say that any residential development on this land should be for social housing only. I agree that affordable housing policies should apply, but special consideration should be given to the wishes of the people to be re-housed here. The mix of new dwellings should reflect the wishes of the same people, the capacity of the site and relevant housing policies, including Policy 4.3 Mix of Dwellings. The terms of the tenancies are more a matter of management than of land use planning.
1.8.2.92 This land is suitable in principle as an Early Housing Site and should provide a modest, but useful, contribution to the identified need.
RECOMMENDATION
1.8.2.93 I recommend that Proposals Site 39P be allocated as an early Housing Site and that the UDP be modified in accordance with the Southwark UDP 18th July 2005.
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