With the drive for more housing in Lambeth, we would like to raise the issue of building design standards, and how new buildings should actively improve and enhance our area. 

Part of the planning process is to examine the character of an area to ensure that new buildings fit in, to prevent unsuitable buildings such as an industrial storage facility being built in the heart of Dulwich Village. However in Norwood, we have a significant number of postwar builds from the 1950s onwards that can be described as functional at best.

Unfortunately, Lambeth planners adhere to the character clause in such a way that means new developments tend to replicate the functional postwar buildings they are replacing.

A good example is the recent permission given to a new housing development on Thornlaw Road, featuring two warehouse-style blocks, one in red and the other in yellow brick. The architect's submission to planning used the Norwood Bus Garage as an example of how this new building matched the character of the area. We understand that taste is subjective, but surely we can do better for our area than replicating the bus garage? 

We would like to ask our local council candidates how they would raise the building standards so that all new buildings truly enhance Norwood and actively demonstrate ambition to improve our area.