Location: Arches 228 to 232, Waterloo Station Approach, London SE1 7LY

 

Access:

Waterloo Station Approach and Leake Street. Emergency Access can be obtained from the private car park to the west of the site.

 

Previous uses:

Storage Use           

Theatre with associated activities (The Old Vic Tunnels)

Indoor Skate Park (The House of Vans)

 

Planning History:   

09/03271/FUL - Change of use of Arches 228-232 for a temporary period of 1 year to theatre use and associated activities. Approved, subject to conditions – 19/01/2010

 

10/00698/DET - Approval of details pursuant to condition 5 (Crowd management strategy) of planning permission ref 09/03271/FUL (Change of use of Arches 228-232 for a temporary period of 1 year to theatre use and associated activities.) granted on 19.01.2010. Approved – 21/04/2010

 

10/03873/FUL - Continued use of Arches 228-232 for a temporary period of 1 year for theatre use and associated activities. Approved – 03/02/2011

 

11/04512/FUL - Use of arches 228 - 232B for a temporary period for a three year period for theatre and performance activities (Use Class Sui Generis). Approved – 21/03/2012

 

14/01261/FUL - Change of use of Arches 228-232 for a temporary period of 5 years to provide a mixed use development incorporating a skate park, performance gallery/museum, cafe/bar and screening/workshop space. – Approved – 11.03.2014

 

 

The site is not within a Conservation Area nor does it contain any listed structures.

 

Constraints:  1. Environmental Agency Flood Zone 3a

                             2. London Plan Waterloo Opportunity Area

                             3. Archaeological Priority Area

                             4. Major Development Opportunity Area 91 (MDO91)

                             5. Central London Activities Zone (CAZ)

 

 

1. The site falls within Flood Zone 3a. The Environment Agency has therefore requested that a Flood Risk Assessment is undertaken. However, the proposals do not result in any ground works or an increase in hard surfacing on the site. The Environment Agency were consulted on the previous applications and confirmed that a Flood Risk Assessment was not required. Officers consider that given the nature of the proposals, an FRA is not required in this instance.

    

2. Waterloo was identified as an Opportunity Area with an indicative estimate of growth to 2016 of 15,000 new jobs and 500 new homes. 

    

3. Archaeological priority areas are areas specified by local authorities to help protect archaeological remains that might be affected by development. Where development is proposed within an APA, English Heritage will require applicants to provide sufficient information to assess the archaeological implications of the development.

    

4. The site is located within MDO 91, which relates to Waterloo Station (and land under Waterloo Station). The proposals relate to the remodeling of the Waterloo Station, the aspiration is to increase platform, concourse, and tube capacity with potential for air- rights development above and utilisation of arches space below (i.e. areas which are not presently accessible and which lie under the station). The development would not hinder the aspirations outlined in this policy and would ensure the continued use of the arches and assist in providing a range of uses in the area within and around Waterloo Station.

    

5. In terms of the London Plan, Policy 2.10 sets out strategic priorities for the CAZ including, the enhancement and promotion of the unique international, national and London-wide roles of the CAZ, supporting the distinct offer of the Zone based on a rich mix of local as well as strategic uses (point a); and to sustain and manage its attractions as the world’s leading visitor destination (point g). Policy 4.6 also refers to supporting London’s diverse range of arts, cultural, professional sporting and entertainment enterprises and the cultural, social and economic benefits that they offer.

 

 

Saved UDP Policy 24 seeks to protect railway arches in industrial or storage use unless they are proven to be causing significant detriment to residential amenity and/or adverse impact on highways network. For vacant arches, and where it is demonstrated that existing arches are no longer suitable for continue employment use, a number of uses, including active frontage uses, may also be acceptable, subject to the Plan’s other policies. The policy states that for sites located within Central Activities Zone (CAZ) and relevant Major Development Opportunity (MDO) sites, a more flexible approach towards the use and re-use of railway arches will be adopted.