The regeneration of Peabody’s St John’s Hill Estate in South London, designed by Hawkins\Brown, was recently granted planning permission. The masterplan reintegrates the site to its immediate surroundings. A new pedestrian avenue connecting the station to the common includes two public squares: one at the center of the scheme, the other opposite the station. The central square provides a large public space activated by a community hub. The application, which was submitted to the London Borough of Wandsworth, has involved close consultation with residents, a number of other local groups, and the local authority. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Located next to Clapham Junction Station on a 2.27ha site, the Peabody Estate St. John’s Hill is bounded by four distinct contexts: the station to the north, Edwardian terraces and the town center to the east, Wandsworth Common to the south and a 30m railway cutting to the west. The existing walled 5 storey estate of 353 homes built in the 1930s will be demolished and replaced with a development comprising:
- 527 new homes in a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments - 569 sq m of commercial units - A new 530 sq m community hub including a café, club room, crèche, learning and function rooms available to residents of the estate and the wider community - 13,600 sq m of public, shared private and private open space which prioritize the pedestrian, including provision of a new public route connecting the Clapham Junction Station to Wandsworth Common.
Buildings within the new scheme range in height from 4 to 12 storeys, built predominantly in brick as a collection of buildings with individual identities, a contrast to the existing estate aesthetic. The positioning, height and massing of the buildings responds to and is influenced by its varying local contexts. Buildings beside the Edwardian terraces to the east are 4 storeys whilst 8-12 storey blocks are positioned to the west overlooking the rail cutting.
The square opposite the station is bounded by ground floor commercial space for shops, cafes and restaurants, creating an urban hub at the entrance to the development. Across the scheme over 50% of the homes (279 units) will be affordable social rent and intermediate housing and 249 units for private sale. All residential units meet Decent Home Standards and the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4. The scheme incorporates several energy efficiency measures including an on-site District Heating System and photovoltaic panels on the roofs.
The masterplan will be constructed in three phases as soon as final approvals have been granted, and the first part of the development is vacated.
