Published Article

HeadlineWandsworth Council at a loss as Tooting housing backed by City Hall

Short HeadlineTooting Housing Development approved by Deputy Mayor

StandfirstSpringfield Place, Tooting has become a local lightning rod in London’s housing crisis

In a City Hall hearing on 8 October, London Deputy Mayor for Planning, Jules Pipe, approved the next stage of Tooting’s Springfield Hospital regeneration by vetoing Wandsworth Council’s objectors.

The proposed development encompasses the old Morrison, Shaftesbury and Diamond Estate buildings from the existing Springfield Hospital site. It will see these and part of Springfield Park demolished and replaced with four new 4-5 storey blocks alongside 9 new townhouses being built creating 449 new homes.

Wandsworth Council has concerns that scale and density of the project make it an inappropriate location and a risk to Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). MOL has now been designated the same legal protection as Greenbelt areas regarding development. The areas are supposed to be kept intact to prevent “over-urbanisation” in London. This can contribute to wellbeing and combat emissions simultaneously, which City Hall seemed to dismiss.

Wandsworth Council’s two representatives, Guy Humphries and Tony Belton explained:

the 76% increase in density, and increase in height from 2 to 5 storeys from the original plans to this recent proposal would have a massive impact on the MOL area and is “patently a step too far”. Mr Humphries continued, “Only 51% of units receive the mandatory minimum sunlight requirements.. it’s not terribly impressive is it?”

Peter Graham, councillor from Wandsworth Common, also opposed the Springfield development, saying,

“The original plans for the development were outlined as low-level, low number of units. The developer [Barratt Homes] initially went for more units across the site. On appeal, it was reduced… they had already built that number out before making this new application, applying for more numbers than they were initially refused”.

The GLA stage one report said the “excessive height of the C- block is apparent, in comparison to the rest of all other construction- giving a harmful urbanising effect on grade-two listed heritage assets”.  At stage one they also said “The remedy for this harm is the reduction of height in new development by one-storey” and nothing has changed.

Local Residents in this Tooting area such as James White, are also disappointed with the proposal and he was  able to comment via video call expressing his and his fellow residents’ concerns:

• Some residents on John Hunter Avenue could lose up to 100% of Winter Sunlight, a breach of London and Local Plans
• Lack of appropriate separation distances (10m) for privacy due to large windows in overlooking existing properties in nearby blocks
• Pressure on public services is too great and GPs are already operating over healthy urban development guidance
• In 2010, Mayor Sadiq Khan, who was an MP at the time, campaigned against this case on the side of residents and he is being begged to take note again

Support for the project came from senior NHS representatives and commercial developers. Dr Billy Bowland, executive medical director at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust outlined:

Housing is at the heart of wellbeing in our communities and a key social determinant for health. Poor and ageing housing are associated with increased illness, including respiratory and cardiovascular conditions disease transmission, as well as stress depression and anxiety. These cost the NHS 1.4 billion pounds per year, equal to the cost of all mental health services in South West London over five years

Barratt homes are currently responsible for 298 completed homes at the Springfield Hospital site with promises of a further £6m investment for local services including education, health and transport going forward with their additional 449 now being approved.

Looking back to Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer’s manifesto, one of his key economic pledges was to deliver 1.5 million new homes, with London in particular contributing 80,000 annually. Springfield Place and many other developments have become local battlegrounds for this target.