Overview
- The Planning Inspectorate dismissed Berkeley Homes’ appeal and stopped the Aylesham Centre plan, citing harm to heritage assets and blocks that were out of scale and visually intrusive.
- Southwark Council leader Sarah King called it a great day for Peckham, and a residents’ campaign backed by public figures including comedians Nish Kumar and James Acaster welcomed the outcome.
- Berkeley said the decision shows developers cannot invest in new London sites and said it will consider its options after recently pausing land buying due to rising costs and regulation.
- The scheme proposed 867 homes and became a flashpoint after the affordable share fell from 35% to 12%, and the inspector said even a 35% offer would not outweigh the identified harm.
- Housing advocates and economists condemned the refusal, warning London needs about 88,000 new homes each year while future output is projected to fall far short.