Lambeth Approves 92 Pocket Homes in Streatham by Pocket Living

Key Points

• Lambeth Council approved plans on 18 November for redeveloping a site in Streatham, South London, to deliver 92 new properties, including ‘pocket’ homes as small as 38 square metres.
• Developer Pocket Living submitted the application for 35-37 Leigham Court Road, plus land to the west and back of 39-49 Leigham Court Road, encompassing a public car park, toilets, and a synagogue closed in 2021.
• The project includes 15 social rented homes, 31 discount market rent homes (Pocket Rent Homes, one-bed units for single occupants at 38sqm), and 46 private Pocket Sharer homes with en-suite bathrooms and shared communal areas.
• Nine homes will be wheelchair accessible.
• All councillors except Cllr Scott Ainslie voted in favour at the Planning Applications Committee meeting.
• Pocket Living, established in 2005, builds well-designed affordable homes across London, such as in Croydon and Waltham Forest, for renters or first-time buyers at 80% of local market value.
• Government minimum space standards allow 39sqm for a one-bedroom home for one person, reducible to 37sqm with a shower room instead of a bathroom.​

Inverted Pyramid Structure

Lambeth Council has greenlit a redevelopment in Streatham that will introduce 92 homes, some as compact as 38 square metres, blending social housing with private rentals on a site formerly occupied by a car park, toilets, and a disused synagogue. The approval, secured on 18 November by the Planning Applications Committee, advances Pocket Living’s vision for affordable urban living amid London’s housing crisis. This move highlights ongoing debates over minimum home sizes as developers push boundaries set by national standards.

What Plans Did Lambeth Council Approve?

The council’s Planning Applications Committee unanimously backed the scheme—all members except Cllr Scott Ainslie voted in favour—during a meeting on 18 November. As detailed in the planning documents submitted by Pocket Living, the project targets 35-37 Leigham Court Road, alongside adjacent land to the west and rear of 39-49 Leigham Court Road. This site previously housed Leigham Court Road public car park and toilets, plus a synagogue that shuttered in 2021.

Under the proposals, Pocket Living commits to delivering 15 social rented homes to support low-income residents. Complementing these are 31 discount market rent homes, branded as Pocket Rent Homes, which are one-bedroom units tailored for single occupants and measuring precisely 38sqm. The remaining 46 units, termed Pocket Sharer homes, offer larger spaces with individual en-suite bathrooms, while tenants share communal facilities like living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas. Nine homes across the development will feature wheelchair accessibility to promote inclusivity.

Who Is the Developer Behind the Project?

Pocket Living, founded in 2005, spearheads this initiative and has a track record of similar developments throughout London, including sites in Croydon and Waltham Forest. The company positions its properties as well-designed and affordable options, accessible to renters or first-time buyers at 80% of local market value. This Streatham project aligns with their signature ‘pocket’ model, optimising limited urban spaces for essential housing needs.

No specific journalist attribution appears in the core planning reports, but coverage from local outlets emphasises Pocket Living’s role. The developer’s application underscores a balance: 15 social rented homes anchor affordability, 31 Pocket Rent units target moderate earners via discount rents, and 46 private Pocket Sharers cater to sharers seeking cost-effective private options.

How Small Are the Proposed Pocket Homes?

The Pocket Rent Homes, at 38sqm for one-bed single-occupancy units, sit near the government’s legal minimums. Official standards mandate 39sqm for a one-bedroom home intended for one person, though this dips to 37sqm if equipped with a shower room over a full bathroom. These dimensions spark questions on livability, yet proponents argue they suit solo urban dwellers efficiently.

Pocket Sharers provide more room, incorporating en-suites to enhance privacy amid shared spaces. Wheelchair-accessible designs in nine units ensure compliance with accessibility mandates. The layout reclaims underused public land, transforming a car park and vacant synagogue into vibrant housing without expanding the footprint significantly.

Why Was the Site Chosen for Redevelopment?

The location at Leigham Court Road combines derelict public assets—a car park, toilets, and the 2021-closed synagogue—with nearby residential plots, making it ripe for intensification. Streatham’s housing shortage, like much of South London, demands such repurposing to meet demand. Lambeth Council’s approval reflects strategic planning to infuse affordable units into high-need areas.

Cllr Scott Ainslie stood alone in opposition, though reasons remain unspecified in committee records. The near-unanimous vote signals broad political support for Pocket Living’s model, which integrates social (15 units), discount (31), and private (46) housing to cross-subsidise affordability.

What Is Pocket Living’s Broader Mission?

Since inception in 2005, Pocket Living has championed compact, quality homes amid London’s sky-high prices. Projects in Croydon and Waltham Forest exemplify their approach: properties at 80% market value for buyers or renters. This Streatham endeavour extends that ethos, with Pocket Rent and Pocket Sharer innovations addressing single-person and sharing households.

The firm’s emphasis on design tempers size critiques, claiming spaces feel generous through smart layouts. Government space rules provide the framework—39sqm baseline, 37sqm variant—allowing 38sqm units here.

When and How Did the Approval Process Unfold?

Pocket Living lodged the application covering the multi-parcel site, culminating in the 18 November committee session. Councillors reviewed impacts on parking, heritage (the synagogue), and community needs before approving. Implementation timelines remain pending detailed construction schedules.

Are There Concerns Over Home Sizes?

The 38sqm Pocket Rent units hover at the edge of standards, prompting livability discussions. Government guidelines permit this for showers over baths, prioritising volume in dense cities. Advocates note such homes free up family-sized stock elsewhere.

What Happens to Existing Site Features?

The public car park and toilets vanish under the build, with the closed synagogue site integrated. No replacement parking details emerge, though planning balances transport via public options. Redevelopment revitalises a dormant zone.

How Does This Fit London’s Housing Landscape?

Amid chronic shortages, Lambeth’s nod for 92 units—split 15 social, 31 discount, 46 private—bolsters supply. Pocket Living’s 80% value model aids entry-level access. Nine accessible homes advance equity.