Lambeth Council has approved a £2 billion development in Vauxhall Square, south London, which includes three skyscrapers, one being a 69-storey residential building with 500 flats that will be the second-tallest residential structure in Britain at 230.5 meters. The project spans seven buildings and offers various types of housing including affordable units, co-living spaces for young professionals, and student accommodations. Despite objections from Historic England over potential harm to protected views, particularly those of the Palace of Westminster, Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee narrowly approved the scheme with a four-to-three vote.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
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Three new skyscrapers are to be built in south London, including the second-tallest residential building in Britain, as part of a £2billion development.
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skyscrapers → see → development
Lambeth Council has approved the seven-building project in Vauxhall Square, which is currently undeveloped.
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which → approve → Square
Three of these will be soaring skyscrapers, one of which is a 69-storey skyscraper filled with 500 homes.
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one → soar → homes
It will reach 230.5m, making it the second-tallest block of flats in the UK behind Canary Wharf's Landmark Pinnacle which stands at 233m.
This would make it the fifth tallest building in Britain.
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it → reach → Britain
Some 1,097 homes, 1,164 co-living units and accommodation for 699 students, will be spread across the site which includes a 250-room hotel, offices, shops and a cinema.
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which → spread → hotel
A swimming pool and a play area will also be built.
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pool → build → ?
Of the new homes, one quarter are earmarked as 'affordable' with 122 available on social rent and 120 on discount market rent.
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122 → earmark → rent
Lambeth Council has approved the seven-building development in Vauxhall Square, which is currently undeveloped
Three new skyscrapers are to be built in south London, including the second-tallest residential building in Britain, as part of a £2billion development
Three of the buildings will be soaring skyscrapers, one of which will be a 69-storey skyscraper filled with 500 homes
Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee narrowly approved the scheme by four votes to three last Tuesday.
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Committee → approve → three
Planning documents show the council received 32 objections – including one from Historic England who said the development would 'cause incremental harm'.
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development → show → harm
In documents considered by the council, Historic England wrote: 'Whilst the dramatic height, pinnacle and materiality of proposed towers appear to be of high architectural quality, these strong visual characteristics by their nature heighten the visual presence of the scheme in several protected London View Management Framework views.
'
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characteristics → consider → views
The resulting effect creates a clear sense of visual competition with the architectural pre-eminence and strategic siting of the Palace of Westminster.'
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effect → result → Westminster
Lambeth Council planning officers disagreed and concluded that the proposals would not harm heritage assets or protected views.
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proposals → disagree → assets
One 61-storey tower will provide 355 build-to-rent homes, while another will contain 1,164 co-living units, a co-working space and shops.
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another → provide → units
A separate 45-storey tower will provide 699 purpose-built student accommodation studios.
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tower → provide → studios
Some 1,097 homes, 1,164 co-living units and accommodation for 699 students, will be spread across the site which includes a 250-room hotel, offices, shops and a cinema
Of the new homes, a quarter are ear-marked as 'affordable' with 122 available on social rent and 120 on discount market rent
A gym and swimming pool will also be open to the public, while the scheme includes play areas, cycle parking and new pedestrian routes
A 17-storey building will include offices, retail units and a 250-key hotel, while a two-storey linking structure will house a cinema and retail space with a rooftop play area.
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structure → spread → area
A gym and swimming pool will also be open to the public, while the scheme includes play areas, cycle parking and new pedestrian routes.
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scheme → include → areas
The scheme has faced opposition over its height, environmental impact and the amount of affordable housing being provided.
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scheme → face → housing
Planning documents show the council received seven letters of support, 32 objections and two neutral comments.
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council → show → support
One objection submitted by a resident of the neighbouring Damac building was said to represent the views of 22 other residents.
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objection → submit → residents
Construction is expected to begin in January 2027, with the development scheduled to be completed in phases.
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development → expect → phases
The Aporia
