A mammoth 1,130-home, office and shopping development across three towers at 48, 37 and 26 storeys at Cantium Retail Park in Old Kent Road has been given the go-ahead.

Southwark Council’s planning committee unanimously voted to approve the application, submitted by Aviva Investors and Galliard Homes.

In total, 35 per cent of the development would be affordable – of which 237 would be social rented homes and 126 would be shared ownership.

The development includes space for shops, cafes and restaurants and is expected to create 580 jobs.  It also provides space for a “destination” cultural facility like a theatre.

But councillors raised concerns the “car-free” development – with space only for flats with wheelchair users and retail workers – and the environmental impacts of building at such a height.

Historic England had also raised concerns about the development’s impact on the “picturesque qualities” of several historic sites.

This includes the Cobourg Road Conservation Area and Grade II listed townhouses, views from Burgess Park, Glengall Road and Glengall Terrace, Caroline Gardens Conservation Area and Church of our Lady of Seven Dolours.

But the need to build homes outweighed the concerns.

“We are dramatically changing the landscape along Old Kent Road and we have made a number of decision which will have long term impact on that landscape,” committee chairman Cllr Martin Seaton explained. 

"If we are to have any chance of addressing housing crisis, unless we are able to go down, it has to be upwards.

“We need homes,” he added.

Cllr Seaton said the number of social homes in the development was “considerable.”

But speaking generally on the concerns, Cllr Seaton said “whilst this is not a perfect scheme I have not yet encountered a perfect scheme.”

Existing Cantium Park retailers Pets at Home and Halfords will be included in the development, while B&Q has objected to the development.

The developer also pledged more than £1.7 million in section 106 money, including £1.3 million to offset carbon emissions from the development, and £197,825 to go towards a park.

A “significant” contribution to TfL was yet to be determined.

The “car-free” development would encourage residents to cycle and use public transport, according to council documents, with the site along the possible Bakerloo line extension route.