24 - 09 - 2025

Somerleyton Road Phase 2, an ambitious, community-focused development in the heart of Brixton, received unanimous approval at committee earlier this week. Designed for Higgins Partnerships and Lambeth Council, the scheme addresses the urgent need for high-quality, affordable housing in the borough, providing 378 new homes, including 63 extra-care apartments, with 56% of homes designated as affordable.

Community at the Core: Extensive engagement with over 5,000 local households shaped the proposals. Through exhibitions, surveys, and social media outreach, 78% of respondents expressed support for our designs, particularly for the focus on affordable housing, green space, and community amenities. Feedback directly influenced improvements in lighting, security, and the re-provision of a community gym in a new, accessible facility. The development also introduces further community assets, including community facilities and retail spaces, ensuring regeneration benefits are shared by all.

Declan Higgins, Chief Executive Officer at Higgins Group, said: “Somerleyton Road Phase 2 marks a significant milestone in delivering much-needed homes. In partnership with Lambeth Council, we are committed to working collaboratively with residents and stakeholders to ensure the new homes are inspiring, sustainable, and tailored to the needs of the people who will live in them. As part of this commitment, we are delivering meaningful social value through training, employment opportunities, and wider community support – ensuring we leave a lasting, positive legacy.”

A Heritage-Led Masterplan: Rooted in Brixton’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, the design process began with a deep analysis, thorough research and community engagement. The masterplan celebrates this heritage through six guiding principles: celebrating identity, fostering inclusivity, delivering affordable homes, enhancing landscape quality, supporting community uses, and promoting sustainability and wellbeing.

Concept Design and Architecture: The architectural approach draws inspiration from Brixton’s diverse built environment, particularly the mansion blocks and civic buildings that define the conservation area. The buildings range from three to five storeys, designed with a people-centric approach ensuring that the spaces around them are enjoyable to be within.

Our design maximises dual-aspect homes, improving daylight and ventilation, and enhancing the public realm. Recessed top floors reduce visual impact, while massing cutbacks and articulated facades create a varied and engaging streetscape. Each building is conceived as part of a “family,” with individual character yet cohesive design language, resulting in a distinctive new neighbourhood that integrates seamlessly with Brixton’s identity.

The ground floor strategy is central to the scheme’s success. Along Somerleyton Road, active frontages include retail, community uses, and generous residential entrances. Blocks B1 and B3 step forward to define the street edge, improving legibility and overlooking. Block B1 aligns with Brixton House Theatre, while Block B3 frames a new public green space.

Residential lobbies are placed in protected yet visible locations, creating clear points of arrival. The design encourages pedestrian movement through legible routes and vibrant public spaces.

Extra Care Homes for All: Located at the quieter southern end of the site, the extra care block is designed to support residents over 55 with a focus on wellbeing, accessibility, and community. The building comprises two main volumes connected by a distinctive central link, forming a protected internal courtyard and a communal rooftop garden.

The design avoids tall elements over 18m, instead opting for a shallower footprint that allows for generous circulation, dual-aspect apartments, and a variety of communal spaces. These include a double-height lounge, winter gardens, and wide galleries with oriel windows for informal interaction.

The extra care building offers varying degrees of privacy, from large social areas to private balconies, ensuring residents have choices about where to spend time. All homes are designed to exceed Part M4 accessibility standards, with generous and flexible layouts that support wheelchair use and ageing in place.

Landscape and Public Realm: Led by LUC, the landscape strategy creates five character areas, including a civic square, residential gardens, and a revitalised Somerleyton Passage. These spaces promote interaction, play, and wellbeing, while preserving mature Plane trees and enhancing biodiversity.

The civic square is a multifunctional hub for events, markets, and social gatherings. The private amenity area offers a welcoming arrival space with greenery, public art, and exercise equipment, linking seamlessly to the civic square.

Residential gardens provide secure, enriching environments with play areas, biodiversity features, and sensory planting. These spaces balance privacy and community, supporting both ecological and social value.

Sustainability and Circular Economy: Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project. The scheme targets net zero carbon, achieving a 10% reduction through passive design and 44% via a centralised air source heat pump system. Rooftop photovoltaics could raise this to 70%.

The development meets the GLA’s Urban Greening Factor with a score of 0.401, thanks to biodiverse roofs, permeable paving, and extensive planting. Circular economy principles are embedded throughout, with 95% of construction waste diverted from landfill and at least 20% of materials reused or recycled.

“Bringing forward this constrained brownfield site is a crucial milestone in our mission to provide high-quality, energy-efficient affordable homes. We’re committed to maximising the delivery of social rent homes and ensuring new developments in Lambeth work for our existing communities first. Every new affordable home in Lambeth matters.” Nabeel Kahn – LB Lambeth, Corporate Director – Climate & Inclusive Growth 

Looking Ahead: With planning now approved, construction will begin in March 2026, with completion targeted for 2028.

“From the outset, our vision for Somerleyton Road was shaped by the voices of the Brixton community. The community support and feedback we received helped us design a place that truly reflects local identity and need whilst incorporating sustainable features to ensure every element of the scheme is designed to support a greener, more inclusive future for Brixton.” Alessandro Chiola – Architect, BPTW