Stefan Shaw Studio Pub & 14 Apartments Approved Lambeth 2026

Key Points

• Stefan Shaw Studio has secured planning consent for the redevelopment of Nolan’s Freehouse, an Irish pub at 33 Wilcox Road in Lambeth, south London.
• The project involves demolishing the existing pub structure and rebuilding it as part of a new six-storey mixed-use development with 14 new private apartments above the re-provided public house.
• Lambeth Council’s Planning Applications Committee unanimously approved the plans on Tuesday evening, April 14, 2026.
• The site is located on a tight urban plot a short walk from Nine Elms Station, contributing to public realm improvements in Wilcox Road Local Centre.
• Planning officers stated the scheme optimises the compact site’s development potential while addressing housing needs in the borough.
• The proposal received one supportive comment and no objections, with the supporter calling it a reasonable and visually appealing development that upgrades the pub.
• Earlier LinkedIn updates from Stefan Shaw Studio in 2023 referenced a validated application for 20 homes, but the approved scheme specifies 14 apartments.

Lambeth (South London News) April 17, 2026 –Lambeth, south London – Stefan Shaw Studio has secured planning consent for the redevelopment of Nolan’s Freehouse at 33 Wilcox Road, providing 14 new private apartments above a re-provided public house. The London Borough of Lambeth’s Planning Applications Committee unanimously approved the proposals during a meeting on Tuesday evening, April 14, 2026.

What Is the Stefan Shaw Studio Redevelopment Project at Nolan’s Freehouse?

The project centres on the demolition and rebuilding of Nolan’s Public House, described as a “true local pub” and “proper local” in local coverage.

As reported by the Architects’ Journal, Stefan Shaw Studio has secured planning consent for this mixed-use scheme in Lambeth, south London. The development replaces the existing single-storey pub structure with a six-storey building that retains and re-provides the pub at ground level while adding 14 apartments above.

Planning officers from Lambeth Council noted in their assessment that

“the redevelopment of this site, including the re-establishment of the public house alongside residential units is acceptable from a planning perspective.”

They further stated that

“housing delivery remains a critical need within the borough, and the scheme effectively aims to optimise the development potential of this compact site.”

The site’s location on a tight urban plot near the new Nine Elms Station supports wider public realm enhancements in Wilcox Road Local Centre.

A single supportive comment was submitted during consultation, with the supporter describing the plans as a

“reasonable and visually appealing development”

and noting that the pub “requires an upgrade.” No objections were recorded.

Why Did Lambeth Council Approve the Plans Unanimously?

The Planning Applications Committee vote was unanimous, granting permission without dissent. As covered in recent reports, councillors supported the proposal after reviewing officer recommendations that aligned the scheme with borough housing priorities.

Stefan Shaw Studio, a design-led architecture and interior studio based in London, has been working on the project with consultants including Quod for planning, Iceni Projects for heritage advice, and BSE3D Consulting Engineers for energy aspects, as referenced in their earlier 2023 LinkedIn update.

That post detailed a “lengthy process” leading to validation of the application for Nolan’s Freehouse, mentioning 20 new homes at the time, though the final approved scheme specifies 14 apartments.

The redevelopment fits into Lambeth’s broader regeneration efforts, which emphasise improving places socially, economically, and physically, though this specific project is distinct from larger initiatives like Somerleyton Road or Your New Town Hall.

Where Exactly Is the Nolan’s Freehouse Site and What Are Its Constraints?

Nolan’s Public House sits at 33 Wilcox Road in South Lambeth, a short walk from Nine Elms Station. The site is described as having “complex constraints” due to its urban density, yet the design “sits comfortably within its context” and raises design quality around Nine Elms.

As per Stefan Shaw Studio’s LinkedIn post, the mixed-use development re-provides the existing public house, creates new homes, and contributes to Wilcox Road Local Centre improvements.

The Architects’ Journal confirmed the focus on 14 apartments in the approved plans.

How Does This Fit Lambeth’s Housing and Pub Preservation Policies?

Lambeth Council officers highlighted the scheme’s role in delivering housing on a compact site, aligning with the borough’s critical need for new units.

The re-provision of the pub ensures continuity of this community asset, a key planning consideration for such redevelopments.

Similar projects in Lambeth, such as the retention of pub frontages in other applications like the Railway Bell at 14 Cawnpore Street, demonstrate a pattern of balancing demolition with heritage elements. However, this approval stands alone for Nolan’s Freehouse.

What Is the Design and Timeline for the Redevelopment?

The new six-storey structure will house the rebuilt pub at ground level with 14 private apartments above, optimising the site’s potential.

Stefan Shaw Studio’s website and profiles note their expertise in contemporary residential and hospitality projects, rooted in creativity and pragmatism.

No specific construction start date is mentioned in approvals or reports, but the unanimous committee decision on April 14, 2026, clears the path for progression. Earlier validation in 2023 followed a complex process involving multiple consultants.

Background of the Development

The origins trace to at least 2023, when Stefan Shaw Studio announced on LinkedIn that their planning application for Nolan’s Freehouse at 33 Wilcox Road had been validated after a lengthy process. Located near Nine Elms Station, the scheme was positioned as a mixed-use project re-providing the pub, delivering 20 homes (per that update), and enhancing the Wilcox Road Local Centre.

Consultants including Quod, Iceni Projects, BSE3D Consulting Engineers Ltd, ARBTECH, CHP Surveyors Ltd, Tetra Tech, Assent Building Control Ltd, Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions, and Knapp Hicks supported the application.

Stefan Shaw Studio, based at Unit 611C Peckham Levels, 95A Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST, specialises in residential, hospitality, and commercial designs. The project evolved through consultation, culminating in the 14-apartment version approved in April 2026.

Lambeth’s regeneration context includes separate efforts for affordable housing and public realm upgrades, but this site-specific approval addresses local housing pressures directly.

Predictions: How This Development Can Affect Local Residents and Businesses

This development can provide 14 new private apartments, adding to Lambeth’s housing stock on a site with limited capacity, which may ease pressure on local rental markets for residents seeking options near Nine Elms Station. The re-provision of Nolan’s Freehouse can maintain a community pub venue, potentially sustaining social gatherings for nearby households and workers in South Lambeth.Key Points