Former crown court redevelopment given go ahead

A former crown court in London is to be demolished and replaced with student accommodation and social housing after the plans were approved by councillors.

iQ Student Accommodation will redevelop Blackfriars Crown Court, building accommodation for 600 students as well as 71 affordable homes.

Southwark Council's planning committee voted to grant permission for the scheme, which will transform the site on Pocock Street, which has been vacant for six years.

The building was originally constructed in the post-war period for use as a printworks HM Stationery Office, before later becoming a court.

The planning committee was told by an iQ representative that the development would provide "high-quality and well managed student housing, and much needed affordable housing in the heart of Southwark".

Under the proposals, the student accommodation will be contained in one block and will be made up of 350 studios and 40 shared flats.

Students will have access to communal spaces including a cinema, karaoke room and gym.

At its tallest, the housing block will be six storeys and will be made up of entirely affordable housing, including 23 one-beds, 34 two-beds, six three-beds and eight four-beds. A café as well as commercial floorspace is also set to be built on site.

During the public consultation stage, the plans received two objections from the public, with concern raised over a lack of affordable housing, the concentration of student housing in the area, as well as the impacts on privacy and sunlight.

In a report, a planning officer responded, saying the scheme was "considered appropriate for the area" and the plan for 40% affordable housing was "very good."

Blackfriars Crown Court was one of hundreds of courts to be shut between 2010 and 2019 in an effort to cut costs and streamline the judicial system.

The Ministry of Justice said at the time that its closure would "represent improved value for money for the taxpayer and help us improve facilities for court users".

But closures have been criticised as the crown court backlog in England and Wales has risen to a new record of almost 80,000 cases and wait times for trial dates have reached up to four years.

Her Majesty's Court & Tribunal Service told The Law Society Gazette that it had enquired about temporarily using the site whilst redevelopment plans were drawn up, but "the venue was only available for a short period of time and the offer did not represent value for money."

Additional reporting by Josh Elgin

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]