Council approves redevelopment of Clapham TA centre for Harris Federation scheme

Nicholas Hare Architects has won planning permission for its proposals to replace a Territorial Army building in south London with a new sixth-form centre.

South elevation of Nicholas Hare Architects' proposals for the new Harris Clapham Sixth Form

South elevation of Nicholas Hare Architects’ proposals

Members of Lambeth council’s planning committee this week gave the green light to the scheme, which will deliver a 600-student facility that will be operated by the Harris Federation of Schools.

Hare drew up the proposals, which range in height from two to four storeys, for Kier Construction and the Department for Education as part of moves to meet local demand for education provision.

Recommending the proposals for approval, Lambeth planning officers said the existing building at the Kings Avenue development site had not been used by the TA for around three years, but was temporarily being used to host Army cadet meetings.

South elevation of Nicholas Hare Architects' proposals for the new Harris Clapham Sixth Form

South elevation of Nicholas Hare Architects’ proposals for the new Harris Clapham Sixth Form

“The proposal would have a simple contemporary architectural aesthetic, which is considered acceptable in the context of the varied built environment in the area,” they said.

“The proposed elevations would have generously sized window openings in a grid arrangement. The windows would have a depth of 225mm, which should create deep reveals to windows, and depth and texture to elevations.

North elevation of Nicholas Hare Architects' proposals for the new Harris Clapham Sixth Form

North elevation of Nicholas Hare Architects’ proposals for the new Harris Clapham Sixth Form

“A red multi brick will be used in all elevations. Brick is extensively used in the local area and a key component of the character of the area and as such the use of brick will reinforce the local distinctiveness.”

However they said concerns remained about the visibility of rooftop plant and services from neighbouring properties, and called for conditions to secure further work.

The Territorial Army Centre on Kings Road in Clapham

Source: Google Maps

The Territorial Army Centre on Kings Road in Clapham