Residents living near the former Fire Brigade HQ in Albert Embankment have won their battle against a £230 million redevelopment there.
They protested against the plan for 265 flats, saying the scheme would cast their homes in Whitgift House into darkness, and hired a light expert from the Building Research Establishment. When Lambeth council rejected the planning application, developer Native Land appealed to a government inspector.
But this week inspector Terry Phillimore backed the council, saying the loss of light would have breached regulations. Residents’ leader George Turner said: “Native Land tried to trample on our rights. But David has beaten Goliath.”
The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority agreed to sell Native Land the site for about £42 million, provided planning permission was obtained. Native Land said: “We will be reviewing our options.” The fire authority said: “We are considering the decision.”
