Leading volumetric developer Tide has secured a resolution to grant planning permission for its 1,051-home Ilderton Road Scheme. Rationalising and enhancing a previously approved scheme, Tide together with award winning architects, tp bennett, has designed a deliverable scheme that increases the affordable housing provision by 55% to 186 units and the number of co-living homes from 605 to 865 units.
This development will significantly contribute towards Southwark’s overall housing targets, and in particular the borough’s ever growing affordable housing requirements, with 100% of the affordable units offered at social rent.
Programmed to start in 2025, the redevelopment of this vacant, under-utilised brownfield site will be completed in 2027 using Tide’s sister company and offsite manufacturer Vision Volumetric. Tide’s volumetric approach, a form of modern methods of construction (MMC), enables parallel workstreams on and off site, enabling delivery up to 50% faster than traditional construction methods.
The effciencies of this volumetric system allowed the number of storeys in each block to be increased without significantly impacting the overall height of the scheme, enabling the significant increase in the number of homes. Tide’s volumetric approach also reduces embodied carbon, and the high-precision engineering of the building in controlled factory settings will contribute to strong operational performance, enabling the scheme to target BREEAM Excellent certification.
tp bennett‘s designs reflect the historical and emerging context of the area. The North block is inspired by Bermondsey’s industrial vernacular, referencing the area’s past with its brick facade. The South building takes a similar approach but is designed with square base modules, giving a more domestic feel. The four blocks cascade down from the station to the south, with the scheme retaining and enhancing the high-quality “pocket park” at the heart of the site from the original proposal, guaranteeing a public space for locals and new residents.
This newly consented scheme significantly bolsters Tide’s portfolio of co-living developments. Tide’s previous developments include College Road, a benchmark-setting scheme in Croydon which completed in 2023, and is home to the largest operational co-living development in the UK, Enclave: Croydon. Tide and Vision are also nearing the completion of 462 co-living homes at The Castle in Acton, following an efficient 18-month construction programme.
Helen McManus, Head of Planning at Tide, said:
“This project showcases how our volumetric construction approach can deliver more affordable housing for local authorities in a faster, sustainable, high quality and efficient way. Combined with the 55% uplift in affordable housing, increased shared living units, enhanced Pocket Park and improved public realm, this scheme will deliver considerable benefits to the area and its community.”
Nenad Manasijevic, Principal Director at tp bennett, said:
“Working on the Ilderton Road scheme from the start, we have focused on delivering much needed design-led, sustainable housing and co-living for Southwark. It has been great working with Tide to ensure the future of this proposal, now one step closer to being delivered. This partnership has allowed enhanced sustainability measures for the scheme, utilising a volumetric method of construction to target a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.”