Lambeth plans approval for tiny ‘pocket’ homes amid affordability concerns in Streatham

A proposed development in Streatham featuring 92 small homes, including ‘pocket’ units at just 38 sqm, raises questions about quality and genuine affordability amidst ongoing housing debates in Lambeth.

A planning application has been submitted by developer Pocket Living to Lambeth Council for a new residential project on a site in Streatham, South London, comprising the former synagogue at 35-37 Leigham Court Road, an adjacent public car park, and nearby land. The proposal would see the demolition of existing structures to make way for 92 homes, including social rented, discounted market rent, and private units. More notably, among these are ‘pocket’ homes measuring just 38 square metres, barely above the government’s minimum legal size for a one-bedroom dwelling with a shower, raising serious questions about the quality and value of such developments.

Since its founding in 2005, Pocket Living has positioned itself as a champion of small, affordable homes, primarily targeting first-time buyers and renters pushed out of the traditional property market. The company’s model of offering units at 80% of local market values seems a noble effort to address housing shortages, but in reality, these so-called ‘pocket’ homes often prioritize quantity over quality, pushing the boundaries of comfortable living spaces in the name of “efficient use of space.” The current Streatham plan includes 15 social rented homes, 31 discounted market rent units, and 46 private homes, with the ‘Pocket Rent Homes’ aimed at single occupants in tiny 38sqm flats. The private ‘Pocket Sharer’ units offer marginally larger living spaces, but still come with en-suite bathrooms and communal areas designed to maximise density rather than quality.

The proposed buildings, standing between three and six storeys, threaten to create a monotonous streetscape that prioritizes profit and density over community feel or aesthetic quality. Lambeth Council’s planning officers have recommended approval, claiming the development offers a “good-quality environment”, a questionable assertion given that the units only just meet policy standards in size and design. Alarmingly, only nine of the homes will be wheelchair-accessible, a paltry figure in a borough supposedly committed to inclusive housing. Public reactions have been deeply divided, supporters praise the project for providing “affordable” housing, yet critics warn that the scheme falls woefully short on genuine affordability and overlooks the broader need for quality homes.

This development continues Pocket Living’s pattern of over-reliance on small, dense units that often compromise more than they provide. Past projects, such as the Mountearl Gardens estate, have faced criticism for their minimal space and the model of factory-built modular homes aimed at speed rather than sustainability. Despite claims of offering discounts of 20% to local residents, such homes are often unaffordable for many, effectively deepening the housing crisis instead of alleviating it.

In March 2025, Lambeth Council and Pocket Living signed an agreement to transform the Leigham Court Road car park into a mixed-tenure development, with a purported 35% affordable housing component. Yet, critics argue that these figures still fall below what is necessary to meet the borough’s growing demand for genuinely affordable, decent homes. After commitments to deliver 127 affordable units across various sites, such as Wynne Road and Sail Street, the reality on the ground continues to point to piecemeal solutions that do little to address the systemic failures in housing policy.

While supporters laud the Streatham development as a step forward for local affordable housing, many see it as an extension of the problematic policy trend: prioritizing density and profit over standards and community needs. The concern remains that such projects merely paper over the cracks of London’s housing crisis while embedding poor-quality living conditions in the fabric of our neighbourhoods. As decision time approaches at Lambeth’s planning committee, it’s clear that only a wholesale reevaluation of what constitutes genuinely affordable and humane housing will do. The question is: will local authorities continue to rubber-stamp these minimal-space schemes, or will they finally stand up for quality over quantity? The future of housing in Lambeth depends on it.

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The planning application for the development at 35-37 Leigham Court Road, Streatham, was submitted by Pocket Living to Lambeth Council. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 19 March 2025, when Lambeth Council announced an agreement with Pocket Living for new social homes in Streatham. ([love.lambeth.gov.uk](https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-agreement-for-new-social-homes-in-streatham/?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative has been republished across various platforms, including low-quality sites and clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the presence of recycled content and republishing across low-quality sites suggests a need for further scrutiny.

Quotes check

Score:
7

Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Lambeth Council and Pocket Living. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from 19 March 2025, when Lambeth Council announced the agreement with Pocket Living. ([love.lambeth.gov.uk](https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-agreement-for-new-social-homes-in-streatham/?utm_source=openai)) The wording of the quotes varies slightly in different publications, indicating potential reuse of content. No online matches were found for some of the quotes, suggesting they may be original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
6

Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, Lambeth Council, and a known developer, Pocket Living. However, the report has been republished across various platforms, including low-quality sites and clickbait networks, which raises concerns about the reliability of the information. The presence of recycled content and republishing across low-quality sites suggests a need for further scrutiny.

Plausability check

Score:
7

Notes:
The narrative makes claims about the quality and affordability of the proposed homes, which are plausible given the context of the housing crisis in London. However, the report lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which raises concerns about its credibility. The tone is unusually dramatic and vague, which is inconsistent with typical corporate or official language, suggesting a need for further scrutiny.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary:
The narrative presents a planning application for a development at 35-37 Leigham Court Road, Streatham, submitted by Pocket Living to Lambeth Council. While the content is based on a press release from reputable organisations, the presence of recycled content, republishing across low-quality sites, and lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets raise concerns about its credibility. The tone is unusually dramatic and vague, which is inconsistent with typical corporate or official language, suggesting a need for further scrutiny.