A developer has written to Lambeth Council with plans to build 218 flats at the Norris waste processing site in Lambeth.  

Urban & Provincial says the waste facility, which opened ten years ago in Shakespeare Road between Herne Hill and Brixton, is “incompatible” with the surrounding area. 

In a letter to Lambeth’s planning department, the developer requested a ‘screening opinion’, which lets the applicant know whether a proposal needs an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before making a planning application. 

It is a requirement for developments of more than 150 dwellings.  

According to the letter: “The overarching objective of the proposal is to redevelop the existing the site which is incompatible with the surrounding area to provide a more appropriate form of development.  

“The application proposes a residential development that will deliver high quality homes and contribute significantly to the already positive transformation of the local built environment with further improvements to public realm, open space, permeability and legibility.” 

Urban & Provincial is proposing to build apartment blocks ranging from five to 11 storeys, a new public realm along Shakespeare Road, and a private communal courtyard for all residents.  

The developer says the scheme would “develop a brownfield site for residential-led development”.  

“The proposed land use is consistent with the council’s local plan that seeks to promote residential development the site represents a key opportunity to complement and build upon the existing uses in the area.  

“The proposed development will make an efficient use of the existing brownfield site for much needed housing in an accessible and sustainable location close to transport links.

“The proposed use will accord with the objectives of the councils adopted and merging planning policy providing a residential-led scheme and improved public realm on Shakespeare Road,” according to the letter.  

Norwood Action Group has objected to the proposals from Urban & Provincial because of plans to move the waste facility to their area.  

The chair said that any assessment of the need for an EIA “should take account of the (adverse) environmental impacts arising from the relocation of the operations elsewhere to a specific site as required by policy”.  

“However it would appear that the submission has not included this as part of the request.  

“If there are no proposals put forward for a relocation site then we would suggest that the need for an EIA should be assessed on the basis that no compensatory site exists and the (adverse) environmental impacts flowing from this nil provision,” they wrote.  

Locals also launched a petition this year to close the facility because a “residential neighbourhood is no place for a waste management service”.