Unite Students approved for large South London scheme

Unite Students has secured planning permission from Lambeth Council for a new 511-bed student accommodation scheme on Kennington Lane, marking the developer’s first project in the borough. The development is set to open in time for the 2029/30 academic year.

The approved mixed-use scheme, designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), will deliver purpose-built student housing alongside community and light industrial space. Amenities will include a cinema room, karaoke room, gym, breakout study areas, and a landscaped rooftop terrace. Improved public realm and landscaping along Kennington Lane are also part of the proposal.

Located in Zone 1, the site offers strong transport connections to several universities, including King’s College London, the University of the Arts London, and London South Bank University.

Lambeth Council approved the application unanimously, citing the scheme’s anticipated positive impact on the local economy and its potential to ease pressure on private rented housing by addressing a shortage of student accommodation in the capital.

Tom Brewerton, Group Development Director at Unite Students, described the scheme as an “exciting new development” in a prime London location. “The area is popular with students, offers fantastic transport links, and is ideally situated for a range of universities,” he said. “This development will help to meet growing demand for student housing and free up private rentals for local families and professionals.”

The Kennington Lane scheme forms part of Unite Students’ wider development pipeline of 10,000 beds to be delivered over the next five years, supported by an estimated £1.9 billion of planned investment. The company operates over 150 properties across 23 UK university towns and cities, housing around 70,000 students.

With this latest approval, Unite Students continues to expand its presence in London and reinforce its position as the UK’s largest developer and operator of purpose-built student accommodation.