Developer plans world’s tallest student tower in south London

Most of the existing buildings on the site would be demolished to make way for the tower, although two locally listed terraced buildings on the site, 231 and 233 Southwark Bridge Road, will be retained.

The Ministry of Sound nightclub borders the site. During the planning stage, the suitability of the site will be assessed with reference to “entertainment noise egress” from the nightclub.

The impact assessment stated that “ground-borne noise criteria will be established for each proposed use and any required methods of noise mitigation will be determined to allow the development to go ahead”.

The tower would be located near several higher education institutions, including London Southbank University and the University of the Arts London.

Construction is anticipated to start in mid-2027 and the scheme is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.

Scape was founded in 2008 and opened its first student accommodation building in Mile End, east London in 2012. It is backed by property investor APG.

The developer currently has over 7,500 beds in operation across the UK, plus 1,000 beds in development in central London and 2,500 more in planning. It also launched in Australia in 2014.

Earlier this month, giant student developer Unite Students said it had cancelled a scheme in Paddington, west London, leaving it with a £10m write-down in planning costs.

It said the 605-bed project was not financially viable given its extended development process and the landlord’s target return requirements.