07 Vauxhall Square, item 6. PDF 626 KB - Lambeth Council

7.4 Retail
7.5 The application proposes approximately 3119sqm of retail space. The
proposed uses would be use classes A1 to A5. It is recognised that the
emerging policy position is to provide a new district centre at the ‘Heart of
Vauxhall’ (Principle 2, draft Vauxhall SPD), which will encourage a range of
retail units, and for consideration to be given to ‘meanwhile uses’ to reduce
ground floor vacancies. The draft Vauxhall SPD supports and builds on the
principle of the creation of a district centre and new ‘high street’ for Vauxhall.
Overall, officers welcome the contribution the proposal would make to the
creation of a new district centre. However, concern has been raised regarding
the future pedestrian flows along Wandsworth Road. It was thought that this
might be limited which could cause some of the retail units to remain vacant,
and there should be a strategy for ‘meanwhile’ uses within the retail units on
site.
7.5 It should be noted that the scheme would not be completed for a further five
years, during which time the urban environment around Vauxhall would
significantly change, especially when taking account of recent planning
permissions for the Island Site and Market Towers. Therefore, officers are of the
view that Wandsworth Road would be significantly different and would form a
vibrant urban street in the future, particularly when the new US Embassy is
completed which alone will increase pedestrian flows by an anticipated 1,000+
people per day. In addition, the other development sites in the area such as One
Nine Elms and the new Sainsbury’s store would also draw pedestrian
movement along Wandsworth Road. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the
proposed retail units would remain vacant, however as the Council’s strategy for
meanwhile uses evolves the applicant has stated that they are satisfied to
collaborate on this issue to ensure that these units remain occupied and
contributing to the creation of a vibrant district centre.
7.6 The thrust of policy is clearly supportive of the development of a new district
centre at Vauxhall. The town centre components of the application proposals
would provide the level of local services expected, primarily catering for the
needs of local residents and workers but also filling a strategic gap in the
hierarchy of centres as new CAZ frontage within a district centre. The town
centre uses are integrated into a mixed-use scheme at lower storeys to provide
active frontage around a new public square. In this regard, the proposals fulfil
the objectives of the London Plan, the Core Strategy and the VNEBOAPF, as
well as the revised draft Vauxhall SPD.
7.7 Core Strategy Policy S3 (d) supports the vitality and viability of Lambeth’s
hierarchy of major, district and local centres, including the London Plan
Opportunity Areas, for retail, service, leisure, recreation and other appropriate
uses. The proposed retail and leisure uses are welcomed in this context as they
would provide active ground floor uses and services for the existing and future
communities of Vauxhall, helping to contribute to the creation of a destination
and sense of place.
7.8 Offices