Legal & General are preparing an amending planning application for The Coal Yard site on Shakespeare Road in Lambeth. The site was previously occupied by a waste facility, operated by Norris Waste Management, but it has been vacant for a number of years. In 2021, planning permission was given for the redevelopment of the site, for new housing.
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The London Borough of Lambeth is in desperate need of new housing, and The Coal Yard site can make a valuable contribution to meeting the ambitious targets set out by the council. It is a large, previously used site, in a residential neighbourhood, that is extremely well connected to the rest of the borough and the rest of London.
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Legal & General recently acquired the site from the previous owner, in order to bring forward a planning application, and get new housing built. The new planning application, which will be made under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act, will make some changes to what was previously proposed, including measures that respond to new fire safety regulations that have been introduced since 2021, and an increase in the number of new homes proposed. Affordable housing and family housing are included in the proposals.
We believe the changes we have made will make best use of such a well-located sight, and, if implemented, will give more families the opportunity to live in a fantastic home. This website summarises the proposals, and also provides you with an opportunity to feed back on what you have seen. We took comments on the scheme up until 30th April 2025.
The Site
The Coal Yard is located on Shakespeare Road and lies just north of the railway bridge, that carries services from Brixton down to Herne Hill. The railway line that carries services from Herne Hill to Loughborough Junction lies to the immediate east of the site, and separates it from the flats that have been built on Milkwood Road. Mayall Road is just to the south.
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This image is taken on site, looking towards Shakespeare Road.
The location of the site, in close proximity to Herne Hill Station
This image is taken on site, looking towards Shakespeare Road.
​Historically, the site was home to a coal yard, and most recently, a Norris Waste Management facility operated on it, but that vacated several years ago. Residents will be aware that prior to Legal & General taking ownership of the site, there was a serious fire in the building on-site. The fire caused severe structural damage to that building, which means it is not usable any more.
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Given the current condition of the site, and its well-connected location, it is in the perfect position for new housing, which will help the borough meet the obvious local need.
Summary
Legal & General, working with Rolfe Judd Architecture, have prepared an amending scheme that includes the following:
278 new homes in Lambeth, including affordable and family housing.
Significant landscaping improvements and biodiversity improvements.
A car-free development, with no entitlement for residents to park on local roads.
A significant financial investment into the London Borough of Lambeth.
An improved street frontage onto Shakespeare Road compared to the existing waste site.
Proposals
You can find out more detail about the previous proposal that has been consented planning permission by viewing the Design and Access Statement that was submitted, by clicking here.
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Below you will find a series of pictures that show the proposed buildings from different local viewpoints. The scheme is slightly taller than the previous proposals, with some buildings increasing in height by one or two storeys, and the tallest element increasing by four storeys. The overall number of homes will increase from 218 to 278. This will include affordable homes, and family homes, helping to meet the housing need identified by Lambeth Council.
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The overall design remains similar to the previously consented proposals and minor updates have been made to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and new legislation that has passed in previous years.
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Through planting and other measures, there will be significant biodiversity improvements on the site, and, once complete, this will be a managed development meaning the site will be secure for the long-term.
This view shows you the front of the development and the entrance into the courtyard area.
This image is taken from the north, looking south, towards the railway bridge.
A view of the proposal if you were looking at it from Herne Hill Station
This view shows you the front of the development and the entrance into the courtyard area.
Legal & General is committed to undertaking a programme of long term investment in the London Borough of Lambeth and The Coal Yard project will showcase our approach to building great homes, that are needed locally, in a highly sustainable way.
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You can have your say on the proposals, by using the form below. Our team will be undertaking a doorknocking process on the week commencing 7th April to ensure residents are aware proposals are coming forward.
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Since the engagement process concluded, we have published an FAQs which can be viewed here, and a summary document of the proposals, which can be viewed here.
You can also use the contact details below if you would like to request further information.