A gloating Labour council has rejoiced after plans to build 800 new homes in Peckham are rejected following a 'NIMBY campaign' backed by comedians Nish Kumar and James Acaster.
The plans, submitted by Berkeley Homes, would have seen 867 homes built on the site of the Aylesham shopping centre and market in Peckham, south London.
However, the project proved controversial from the start after the developers lowered the proportion of affordable houses from 35 per cent to 12 per cent in December 2024.
Their actions sparked anger among residents who claim the developer is targeting those seeking to buy apartments as second homes or investment opportunities rather than providing affordable accommodation.
Last May, the developers and Southwark Council found themselves at loggerheads, when Berkeley accused the local authority of being too slow to consider the scheme, and instead they took the case straight to the government's Planning Inspectorate for approval.
Yesterday, the Planning Inspectorate issued a resounding rejection of the scheme in a victory for the coalition against the housing development - which included residents, the council, local MPs and celebrities such as James Acaster and Nish Kumar.
The comedic duo also performed at a comedy show organised by the Aylesham Community Action - which raised more than £46,000 in opposition to the project.
In its rejection of the development, the Planning Inspectorate said that the impact of any housing proposal must factor in the 'heritage assets' of the area adding that the 800 flats spread across multiple apartment blocks would be 'out of scale, visually intrusive and unduly diminishing'.
Comedian James Acaster (pictured) performed at a comedy show in support of the campaign to stop the housing project
Comedian Nish Kumar (pictured) has faced backlash for his opposition to a massive housing project
A CGI image of the proposed redevelopment of Aylesham shopping centre in Peckham. The plans, submitted by Berkeley Homes, would see 867 homes built, have been rejected by the Planning Inspectorate
While the local Labour Council gloated that the decision was a 'great day for Peckham', it sparked a backlash online with many people pointing to the acute housing crisis affecting areas such as Peckham.
More than 18,000 people are on a waiting list for housing in Southwark, a borough where approximately 22 per cent of residents live in poverty, and it takes more than five years on average to secure a council house.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Build for Britain - Britain's largest centre-right campaign for house-building - said Labour had 'more talk' and 'no action' accusing the council of preferring zero homes to 874.
On X, formerly Twitter, Sam Dumitriu from the economic think tank Britain Remade said: 'Labour were elected on a pledge to get Britain building again, but their councillors (Planning Chair btw) block 850+ homes on brownfield land in the most expensive city in the country.
'Labour are unlikely to outbuild the last Government, let alone build 1.5m homes.'
Another in reply to the council wrote: '“A great day for Peckham”?! What is wrong with us?'
X user Rich said: 'What is the actual reason for blocking this. It's not countryside, it's a run-down shopping centre in an age where they are of very little use. You need more housing. Streets of it have other houses. I genuinely don't get it.'
While others sneered at the claim from the inspectorate that the homes would be harmful to the area's 'heritage assets'.
While the local Labour Council gloated that the decision was a 'great day for Peckham', it sparked a backlash online with many people pointing to the acute housing crisis affecting areas such as Peckham
Fred de Fossard from the Prosperity Institute said: 'There are no "heritage assets" in the Aylesham Centre to protect.
'Sadly this kind of thing will not and cannot be fixed at the local level. We will need a national government to use Canary Wharf-style methods to redevelop much of London.'
While Ben Harris wrote: '"Beloved Aylesham Centre". Won't somebody please think of our generic derelict shopping centre.'
The report also has the support of many people. Reginald Popoola - Green councillor in Southwark - describing the decision as a 'fantastic day for residents in Peckham!'.
'The Planning Inspector has ruled against Berkeley Homes... building affordable homes, not luxury flats, is the only way we can tackle the housing crisis,' he added.
Councillor Sarah King, Leader of Southwark Council, said: 'This is a great day for Peckham and we welcome the planning inspector's decision to dismiss Berkeley Homes' appeal for the Aylesham Centre.
The decision has been praised by those against the development including local Green Party councillor Reginald Popoola
'I'd like to personally thank the community who spoke loud and clearly about their concerns.
'We shared those concerns and strongly argued at the public inquiry that the scheme was poorly designed and our position has been vindicated.
'We will read the appeal in detail and carefully consider our next steps.'
A spokesperson from Build for Britain said: 'Labour would rather have zero homes than 867 homes in Southwark, which barely hit 43 per cent of its completions target in 2024-2025.
'More talk from Labour, no action. Not very Build Baby Build of them...'
The Daily Mail have approached Berkeley Homes for a comment.