Key Points
- Lambeth Council has formally adopted the Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall (KOV) Neighbourhood Plan, granting it full statutory weight for planning decisions across a large area of south London.
- The plan was prepared by the Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall Neighbourhood Forum after nearly a decade of work.
- In a local referendum held last December, 2,370 people voted, with 83 per cent (overwhelming majority) supporting the plan and 17 per cent voting against.
- Turnout was just 10 per cent of eligible voters, raising concerns about community engagement in the areas of Kennington, Vauxhall, most of Oval ward, and parts of Waterloo and South Bank.
- A Cabinet Member delegated decision by Labour Cllr Danial Adilypour formally adopts the plan, making it legally binding alongside the London Plan and Lambeth Local Plan.
- Key policies protect ten locally significant green spaces, designate six “greenways” prioritising walking and cycling with air quality improvements, require major developments to fund public realm enhancements, safeguard community infrastructure like libraries and centres, and protect locally important views.
- Council officers state these policies will foster a healthier, safer neighbourhood, especially for children, older residents, and people with disabilities.
- An Equalities Impact Assessment found moderate positive impacts for several protected characteristic groups but a minor negative impact for residents with English as an additional language due to limited targeted consultation.
- The KOV Neighbourhood Forum was designated in 2015, re-designated in 2021; draft plan submitted end of 2024, public consultation spring 2025 with 59 formal representations.
- Independent examiner reviewed and recommended modifications in 2025, all accepted by the Council before the December referendum.
- Under planning law, the plan became part of the development plan immediately post-referendum, with this month’s adoption completing the process.
- Low turnout prompts questions on awareness, accessibility, and engagement, particularly in diverse inner-city areas; Council report notes insufficient targeted outreach to non-first-language English speakers.
Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall (Brixton Buzz) 16 January 2026 – Lambeth Council has formally adopted the Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall (KOV) Neighbourhood Plan, as reported by Jason Cobb of Brixton Buzz, giving locally agreed planning policies full statutory weight across a large swathe of south London – but the decision follows a referendum in which just one in ten eligible residents voted. The plan, prepared by the Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall Neighbourhood Forum after nearly a decade of work, was backed by an overwhelming majority of those who took part in a local referendum last December. Of the 2,370 people who voted, 83 per cent supported the plan, with 17 per cent voting against.
However, turnout stood at just 10 per cent of eligible voters, raising questions about how far the result reflects wider community engagement across an area covering Kennington, Vauxhall, most of Oval ward and parts of Waterloo and South Bank. Despite the low participation, the referendum result legally obliges Lambeth Council to continue with the neighbourhood plan. A Cabinet Member delegated decision for Labour Cllr Danial Adilypour, as detailed in the official document, formally adopts the document, meaning it must now be used when deciding planning applications in the KOV neighbourhood area.
Neighbourhood plans sit alongside the London Plan and Lambeth Local Plan and can shape development at a much more local level. The KOV plan includes policies aimed at protecting green space, improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, and safeguarding valued community assets, according to Lambeth Council statements covered by Brixton Buzz.
What Is the KOV Neighbourhood Plan?
As reported by Jason Cobb of Brixton Buzz, the KOV Neighbourhood Plan emerged from extensive local efforts spanning nearly a decade. The Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall Neighbourhood Forum, first designated in 2015 and re-designated in 2021, led its development. The draft plan was submitted to Lambeth Council at the end of 2024.
Public consultation occurred in spring 2025, attracting 59 formal representations. An independent examiner reviewed the plan over several months in 2025 and recommended a series of modifications, all of which were accepted by the Council before the plan proceeded to the referendum in December. Under planning law, neighbourhood plans that pass a referendum become part of the development plan immediately, even before formal adoption; the Council’s decision this month completes the process.
The plan now carries full statutory weight, influencing decisions on planning applications within the designated KOV area. Lambeth Council officers emphasise that these policies will help create a healthier, safer neighbourhood, particularly for children, older residents, and people with disabilities.
Why Was Voter Turnout So Low?
Turnout at just 10 per cent has sparked debate on community engagement. As Jason Cobb notes in Brixton Buzz, with 90 per cent of eligible voters not participating, questions persist about awareness, accessibility, and motivation in neighbourhood planning, especially in large, diverse inner-city areas like Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall.
The Council report itself acknowledges a lack of targeted engagement with some groups, including people for whom English is not a first language, an issue that may explain the limited participation. An Equalities Impact Assessment concluded that the plan would have a moderate positive impact for several groups with protected characteristics, though it also noted a minor negative impact for residents with English as an additional language due to limited targeted consultation.
Supporters highlight the decisive “yes” vote – 83 per cent of 2,370 ballots – as evidence of strong backing among those engaged. Yet critics may argue this does not fully represent the wider community.
What Key Policies Does the Plan Include?
How Does It Protect Green Spaces and Pathways?
Key measures include protection for ten locally significant green spaces. The plan designates six “greenways” where walking and cycling are prioritised and air quality improvements are required, as outlined by Jason Cobb of Brixton Buzz drawing from Lambeth Council details.
These initiatives aim to enhance pedestrian and cyclist conditions while preserving natural assets.
What Safeguards Community Assets?
A requirement mandates major developments to contribute to public realm improvements. Protections extend to community infrastructure such as libraries and community centres, alongside safeguards for locally important views.
Council officers, per Brixton Buzz coverage, assert these elements foster safety and health benefits across demographics.
Who Made the Formal Adoption Decision?
Labour Cllr Danial Adilypour took the Cabinet Member delegated decision to formally adopt the plan. The decision document, accessible via Lambeth’s modern governance portal, confirms its integration into local planning frameworks.
This step obliges the Council to apply the KOV policies in future applications, aligning with higher-tier plans like the London Plan.
What Happens Next for the KOV Area?
As the KOV Neighbourhood Plan now takes effect, the challenge for both the Council and the Neighbourhood Forum will be ensuring future planning decisions genuinely reflect the needs and priorities of the wider community – not just the small proportion who felt able or motivated to vote, as Jason Cobb observes in Brixton Buzz.
Neighbourhood plans empower local communities, but low turnout underscores persistent engagement hurdles. The Forum, via its website at kovforum.org.uk, continues to advocate for these policies.
Lambeth Council’s adoption aligns with statutory requirements post-referendum success. Ongoing monitoring will test the plan’s impact on development in Kennington, Oval, Vauxhall, Waterloo, and South Bank.
How Does This Fit Broader Planning Laws?
Neighbourhood plans complement the London Plan and Lambeth Local Plan, enabling granular control. Jason Cobb of Brixton Buzz reports that the 83 per cent yes vote met legal thresholds despite turnout.
The independent examiner’s modifications ensured compliance, paving the way for adoption by Cllr Danial Adilypour.
What Concerns Remain Post-Adoption?
Questions linger on representativeness. Brixton Buzz highlights how 10 per cent turnout in a diverse area prompts scrutiny of consultation efficacy.
The Equalities Impact Assessment’s note on language barriers reinforces calls for improved outreach. As Cllr Danial Adilypour’s decision finalises matters, stakeholders watch implementation closely.
This adoption marks a milestone for the KOV Forum’s decade-long campaign. Yet sustaining broader involvement remains key to legitimacy.
