Greens say they will overturn Labour plans for the redevelopment of International House and Pop Brixton

The Green Party says that it will halt Labour plans to replace International House and Pop Brixton with “unaffordable luxury flats” and use the sites for “genuine council homes.” They …

Mar 27, 2026 - 07:17

Greens say they will overturn Labour plans for the redevelopment of International House and Pop Brixton

The Green Party says that it will halt Labour plans to replace International House and Pop Brixton with “unaffordable luxury flats” and use the sites for “genuine council homes.”

They told Brixton Buzz:

This week, Lambeth Council approved planning permission for a 288 home development that will see the closure of International House, London’s largest affordable workspace, and Pop Brixton.

The two-tower development (20 and 18 storeys) green lit for the 49 Brixton Station Road site is being delivered by London Square which is owned by Abu Dhabi backed Aldar Properties.

Of the 288 homes being delivered only 34% are affordable homes – far below the council’s own target of 50% affordable housing on public land.

At Lambeth’s Planning Committee on Tuesday, Leader of Lambeth Greens, Cllr Scott Ainslie, was the sole committee member to vote against the application.

Cllr Ainslie highlighted the height and bulk of towers up to 280ft towering over neighbouring council estates, plunging dozens of tenants on the Canterbury Crescent Estate into darkness, and leaving just 2% of the estate’s open space enjoying sunshine.

The loss of the largest affordable workspace in London for local organisations was equally unacceptable, along with the negative impacts on Brixton’s unique cultural heritage.

After the vote, Cllr Ainslie said Councillors supporting the development were “on the wrong side of history” having been heckled and harassed by Labour members for voting against the application.

International House provides affordable workspace for over 100, mainly Black and Global Majority-led, charities and community organisations.

Protestors gathered outside Lambeth Town Hall ahead of the meeting to oppose the development, and campaigners have launched a petition calling for International House to be saved.

Cllr Scott Ainlsie, Green Party councillor for Streatham St Leonard’s, said:

“The idea of unaffordable luxury flats towering over Electric Avenue and Brixton Village is unthinkable. The Greens would put a stop to this development on day one if we win the council in May.

Labour are selling off our borough’s cultural heritage to overseas investors. If this development goes ahead, small businesses will close, hundreds of charities and community organisations will cease to exist and nearby residents will be plunged into darkness.

We need genuine council homes, not luxury flats.

There is £11.9bn available for social housing in Sadiq Khan’s coffers which Labour Lambeth haven’t even bothered to bid for. The Greens will bid for funds on day one to build council homes on this site in Brixton, as well as elsewhere across the borough.

It’s clear that Labour’s allegiances lie with developers and private interests.

By voting Green in May, Lambeth can elect a council that listens to the community and puts this unaccountable, out of touch Labour administration out of its misery.”

Background

Agenda and recording of Planning Committee held 24th March 2026 – Agenda for Planning Applications Committee on Tuesday 24 March 2026, 7.00 pm | Lambeth Council
Full planning application and associated reports here.
The petition, launched by the Save Nour campaign, has gained over 1,000 signatures.