A 1,300-home development has been given the green light on Malt Street along the Old Kent Road.

Southwark Council’s planning committee approved the huge development, which will be delivered over three phases.

When completed, the scheme will see 1,300 flats, 40 per cent of which will be affordable, built across 11 towers ranging from five to 44 storeys, with construction starting later this year.

The first phase of the development, which includes 420 new homes, is expected to be finished by early 2023.

Historic England found the development would harm the conservation area, noting “…the cumulative impact of the development on the wide range of designations in the vicinity is of much concern to Historic England,” according to council documents.

The committee also discussed concerns about a shortage of play space for children.

The committee heard the space would be used flexibly by different times of the day by different age groups.

Of the shortage, Labour Cllr Kathy Whittam said: “we shouldn’t be in the business of building places we wouldn’t want to live.”

Objectors from the Southwark Law Centre and the 35% campaign, as well as residents, called on the committee to reject the application citing concerns the developers profit should be checked once the bulk of properties had been sold.

Speaking as a ward councillor, Richard Livingstone said there should be further discussion with the developer about the number of family homes in the second and third phases of the development.

The bulk of the 420 flats to be built by 2023 will be one and two-bed, with 65 three-bed family flats.

But overall he supported the scheme.

Berkley Homes development manager, Chloe Young, said Southwark families would be housed in the affordable homes through Peabody.

Lib Dem Cllr Hamish McCallum said: “I am frustrated with the scheme. There are aspects where the scheme…falls short of policy and design standards,” although he could see the benefits of the scheme.

But councillors found the scheme to be one which would benefit the area.

Committee chair Cllr Martin Seaton said: “This application is one the community will applaud, deliver homes we need and retail and industrial space we need.”

“It will stand the test of time.”

The developer will pay a £1,820,792.00 carbon offset.