The scheme is one of the capital’s most ambitious build-to-rent developments yet.

Plans for the former biscuit factory in Southwark has been designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates and also include a new 600-place secondary school at its heart, over 110,000 sq ft of new public spaces and almost 20,000 sq ft of new playspace.

Three tall buildings will act as a marker for the scheme

Around 35% of the new homes to be built as part of the redevelopment of the Biscuit Factory and Bermondsey Campus in Southwark will be affordable housing, including homes at social rent levels.

12-acre biscuit factory site sits close to the Thames in south London

Southwark Council refused permission for the scheme in February 2019, saying the plans would not deliver enough affordable housing and that the homes would not be of sufficient quality.

The Mayor saw the application last May and decided to take it over to subject it to further scrutiny. Since his intervention, the number of homes has been increased from 1,342 to 1,548 and the level of affordable housing has been boosted from 27.5% to 35%.

New residential buildings overlooking public square

Simon Harding-Roots, Executive Director, Major Projects, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, said: “This project speaks directly to our purpose as a business – to bring lasting social and commercial benefit to the communities where we work. All the approved homes are for rent, and none are for sale. Every home will be occupied and managed by a responsible landlord with a genuine long-term interest in ensuring the neighbourhood thrives.”