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

Wendle Court.
7.59 Overall amenity provision
In total the Vauxhall Square development would prove 6,991sqm of publicly
accessible open space. In the centre of the development the new public square
would be 4,190sqm. This central square would provide a large high quality,
safe and accessible area of public realm within Vauxhall and has been carefully
designed to fit within the wider public realm strategy, and provide flexibility to
compatible and complimentary to any public realm options. It should be noted
here as the site falls within the VNEBOA, one of the key features of the
opportunity area would be a new Linear Park, a green link that will run from
Battersea Park to Lambeth Palace. The scheme proposal in terms of the
central square would offer a natural gateway between the Linear Park into
Vauxhall strengthening the public realm and amenity space in the area.
7.60 The Councils SPD Guidance requires the scheme to provide 10sqm per unit of
private and shared amenity space plus 50sqm for the scheme as a whole. The
scheme should therefore provide 5,250sqm of private and shared amenity
space. The proposal includes 3,234sqm of private amenity space in the form of
winter gardens and roof terraces. Therefore, there is shortfall of 2,016sqm
against the policy requirement. However, the scheme provides a considerable
amount of public space all of which would be accessible by occupiers of the
development in the addition to the general public. At the centre of the
development the new Vauxhall Square would provide 4,190sqm of public space.
This together with the other public spaces within the development are
considered to provide a significant amenity for future residents of the scheme
and as such the shortfall against the Councils standard for private and
communal amenity space, is considered to be acceptable. In this respect no
objection is raised by officers in relation to the proposed development.
7.61 Public Realm
There has been some concern relating to the environmental quality of the
square, especially whether it would be ‘windswept’ or adversely affected by
shadows from the surrounding buildings, which would reduce the likelihood that
people would linger in this space.
7.62 A number of shadow diagrams have been created to show the areas which
utilise the natural sunlight. The assessment highlighted the western space of the
square which would receive morning sun and provide a vibrant breakfast area,
with the northern half of the square creating a perfect lunchtime space whilst the
sun continues around the southern tower to provide a warm west facing area in
the evenings where the café of the hotel is located. This has been used to
delineate the area of informal recreation such as the grass areas and the more
formal wall edges for seating.
7.63 The landscaping strategy includes a comprehensive planting strategy, including
trees and planting beds. The trees and planters would offer protection from wind
for pedestrians wishing to stop within the square. Final details of the planting
strategy for the public realm would be determined by condition.