55 Kennington Oval

55 Kennington Oval

The Duchy of Cornwall is preparing early plans for 55 Kennington Oval.

Responding to research and local need, our vision for the site is…

“A diverse housing offer and well-loved community spaces, under the long-term care of the Duchy.”

Our proposals focus on the former Archbishop Tenison’s School site, opposite the Oval Cricket Ground. We are also exploring opportunities with neighbouring Montgomery Hall and St. Mark’s Vicarage. This consultation is the first opportunity for residents, community groups and local organisations to learn about the early ideas for the site and help shape what comes next. Members of the project team are here today to answer questions and hear your feedback.

The Duchy of Cornwall in Kennington

The Duchy has had a presence in Kennington for almost 700 years.

Many people know the area because of the Oval Cricket Ground, which is owned by the Duchy and has been leased to Surrey County Cricket Club since 1845.

The Duchy has a long history of contributing to Kennington’s development, including places such as Courtenay Square, Denny Crescent and Chester Way.

Today the Duchy manages a number of residential and commercial properties locally and aims to maintain strong relationships with tenants, residents, and local organisations, taking a long-term approach to investment and management.

This long-term approach will guide how the Duchy develops and manages the plans for 55 Kennington Oval.

A vision for 55 Kennington Oval

The project aims to deliver:

A connected site designed around families, young Londoners and older people

A place built to last, designed with enduring quality for future generations

A mix of rental homes including co-living, affordable and market rent homes

Community and education spaces shaped around local needs

Our vision is supported by six Place Principles which guide our approach to the project.

people and community first

Our vision for the site is a diverse housing offer and well-loved community spaces under the long-term care of the Duchy. Delivering local housing need Supporting health, happiness, and connection

Planet

local identity and culture

A new public space with a pedestrian route connecting Kennington Oval and Ashmole Street

local economic resilience

55 Kennington Oval is located close to the Oval Cricket Ground, within a well-established residential neighbourhood.

It is the site of the former Archbishop Tenison’s School. We are also exploring opportunities with neighbouring Montgomery Hall and St. Mark’s Vicarage.

The site is surrounded by Kennington Oval, quieter residential streets including Claylands Road, and Ashmole Primary School and the Triangle Adventure Playground.

These surroundings create both constraints and opportunities that will shape how the site develops.

Homes for Kennington

There is an acute need for new housing in Lambeth, over 10,000 households with children1 on the social housing waiting list.

We plan to provide a combination of:

Affordable homes Market rental homes Co-living homes 1 2 3

Different housing types help people stay in the area as their circumstances change, supporting a diverse and stable community.

The Duchy takes a long-term approach to ownership and intends to retain the public spaces and the market rental homes to ensure that the site is well managed and cared for.

What do we mean by affordable homes?

Affordable homes are typically provided at below market rents to help people who cannot afford to live in the area at full market rates. These homes would normally be managed by a registered housing provider, responsible for allocating and managing the homes.

What is co-living?

Co-living is a type of rented housing where residents have a private studio including bedroom, kitchenette and bathroom, alongside shared lounges, kitchens, dining and work areas.

It offers a more flexible and affordable way to live in central London, particularly for younger people or those new to the area.

Connections and public space

The site offers the opportunity to improve how people move through and around this part of Kennington.

A new pedestrian route linking Kennington Oval and Ashmole Street could make it easier to reach nearby streets, Ashmole Primary School and the Triangle Adventure Playground.

We are also exploring the opportunity for new public spaces for people to meet, relax and spend time, creating places that feel safe, welcoming and integrated with the surrounding neighbourhood.

Potential opportunities include:

A new public square Greener public spaces Safer walking routes Better connections to local facilities

Community and education spaces

Kennington already benefits from a strong network of community organisations and local facilities. The site presents an opportunity to provide new community and education spaces that support local activity and respond to the needs of the neighbourhood.

This could include flexible space for activities, meetings, learning, youth facilities or local services.

We would like to understand what types of spaces could best complement the existing provision in the area and support the local community.

Help shape the future of the site

Use the post-it notes provided to share your views and place them on the board.

Community spaces

What community spaces would you like to see here? Who could use these spaces?

Public space and connections

How should the site connect with the surrounding streets and local spaces?

Your Kennington

What makes a great neighbourhood? What do you love about Kennington and what is missing?

Next steps

Following these early conversations, the design team, led by Mae Architects, will review all feedback and continue developing the proposals, with further engagement as the design evolves.

Buildings will be designed to sit comfortably within the existing neighbourhood while creating welcoming streets and public spaces.

Once the proposals are more developed, a planning application will be submitted to Lambeth Council. The Council will then carry out its own public consultation as part of the formal planning process.

Your feedback at this stage will help guide the next phase of design.

To share your feedback please complete our online survey by using the QR code or visiting: www.duchyofcornwall.org/page/kennington

Consultation and planning timeline

Summer 2026

Further engagement

March 2026

Early engagement on the proposals

Autumn 2026

Spring 2027

Target planning application determination

Target planning submission