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International House tenants rally at City Hall before Mayor rules on Brixton plan
Campaigners say 141 charities and small firms could be displaced by the redevelopment of International House and POP Brixton, and will gather on Monday at 12pm.
Key facts
- Rally outside the main entrance of City Hall at 12pm on Monday 5 October
- Lambeth's planning committee approved the redevelopment in March before it went to the Mayor
- International House is home to 141 tenant organisations, including charities and small firms
- Petition has 2,392 signatures; 3,000 would trigger a Full Council debate
Tenants and supporters of International House in Brixton will rally outside City Hall at 12pm on Monday 5 October. The Mayor of London is due to rule soon on plans to redevelop the building and the neighbouring POP Brixton site.
Both sites are owned by Lambeth Council. Its planning committee granted permission for the wider redevelopment in March, and the application was then referred to the Mayor.
Who uses International House in Brixton
The building has offered affordable workspace since 2018. Its 141 tenants range from charities and community groups to social enterprises and small businesses, and the people they help come from Lambeth, Southwark and beyond.
Some organisations there provide emergency food and mental health services. Others work with young people or help refugees and asylum seekers, and HIV testing is also among the services on offer.
The Save International House campaign fears the scheme would push these organisations out. Tenants say many of them would struggle to find similar workspace at an affordable rent elsewhere in Lambeth, which could disrupt the help they give.
Daylight and sunlight concerns for neighbours
Neighbours could lose light too. A daylight and sunlight assessment produced by the developer lists Westgate Court and Wincheap Court, along with homes on Canterbury Crescent, among the worst affected. It forecasts big losses of daylight for nearby homes. In the communal outdoor area used by both courts, the part that gets at least two hours of direct sunlight is expected to shrink dramatically.
Petition and Full Council meeting
The campaign’s petition has 2,392 signatures, 1,874 of them online and 518 on paper. Reaching 3,000 would mean it has to be considered at a Full Council meeting. The next one is on 14 October, a few days after the Mayor is expected to decide. The rally will be held outside the main entrance of City Hall.
Key questions
When is the Save International House rally?
At 12pm on Monday 5 October, outside the main entrance of City Hall.
Why is the Mayor of London deciding on International House?
Lambeth Council's planning committee granted permission in March and the application was then referred to the Mayor, who is expected to decide shortly.
What happens if the petition reaches 3,000 signatures?
It would be considered at a Full Council meeting. The next one is on 14 October.
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