Lambeth Local Plan Examination 2014

Statement of Common Ground between the London Borough of and the Centre

12 June 2014

The following matters are agreed between the London Borough of Lambeth and as part of the Statement of Common Ground.

Policy: ED11 Visitor Attractions, Leisure, Arts and Cultural uses In broad terms, Southbank Centre supports the proposed policy ED11.

However, Southbank Centre objects to the supporting text at paragraph 6.58. Specifically the Southbank Centre objects to the sentence “a reasonable proportion of restaurants and café uses will be considered enabling development that supports the function and role of arts and cultural uses however other uses, for example hotels and residential accommodation, will not.”

SBC contend that the , Purcell Room and buildings are in urgent need of repair. The Southbank Centre has submitted an application for their comprehensive repair and refurbishment including the delivery of new world class arts and cultural floorspace. The scheme design has been informed by an Arts Brief which aims to enhance this internationally renowned arts and cultural venue to delivery new world class facilities.

SBC argue that the business case for these facilities is dependent on the ability of the scheme to generate income to support commercial loans to provide the capital funds for the project. In addition, that the funds are needed to cover the ongoing operation and maintenance costs of the site and new public realm. So without commercial loans secured on the leases and other commercial income, SBC contend that the project would not be able to proceed.

SBC explain that whilst the Southbank Centre have received a grant from the Arts Council for £16.7m, this only allows for urgent repairs which cannot be delayed. The full refurbishment costs are in the region of £50million excluding the new public realm and new facilities proposed.

In a climate of reduced public spending and austerity, the Southbank Centre argue that it needs innovative ways of delivering the financial income required to secure the scheme. The introduction of complementary Class A1 and Class A3 floorspace into the Southbank Centre scheme is fundamental to securing funding for the project, as is proposed office accommodation which forms part of the proposals.

GAO/ADS/Reps to Lambeth/Local Plan/Examination Statement of Common Ground 11 June 2014

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The supporting text to the policy states that a reasonable proportion of restaurant and café uses would be considered enabling development that supports the function and role of arts and cultural uses but that hotels and residential accommodation will not .. The Southbank Centre objects to the inclusion of the sentence as the Policy then unduly constrains SBC’s options. The inclusion of the sentence in SBC’s opinion does not enable sufficient flexibility to deliver the enabling development which it envisages under Policy ED11.

The Southbank Centre is in discussion with Lambeth Borough Council in relation to the nature of enabling uses that may be appropriate. However, at this stage the council considers that it is inappropriate to make a change to the supporting text to allow the further flexibility SBC seeks as the Council considers this would be a material change to the policy requiring political support and further public consultation .

Conclusion

The council and SBC have therefore agreed that early next year when both parties will be in a clearer position in terms of the enabling development that may be appropriate, the potential for other enabling uses will be considered as part of the early review of the Local Plan.

GAO/ADS/Reps to Lambeth/Local Plan/Examination Statement of Common Ground 11 June 2014

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