Plans to list Victorian dairy building in Lambeth on Airbnb

Tourists could soon be able to rent a former Victorian dairy through Airbnb for their visits to London. Lambeth Council has received an application to turn part of the ex-French's dairy building in Gipsy Hill into a short-term holiday let. 

The property at 72-74 Gipsy Hill is named after Thomas French, a 19th century dairy farmer who milked his cows there. Under the plans submitted, a one bedroom loft apartment in the building would be rented out on Airbnb for up to 40 weeks every year. During the remaining weeks of the year, the owner would live in the property. 

The three-storey ex-dairy at 72-74 Gipsy Hill is split into three flats, with the ground floor housing a cleaning company. The two-person loft flat can currently be let out as a holiday let for a maximum of 90 days per year.

Bedroom in the refurbished ex-dairy in Gipsy Hill. CREDIT: Lambeth Council planning documents

Guests would have access to a contemporary decorated double bedroom, spacious kitchen and dining area, bathroom and utility room. The apartment is located within walking distance of Crystal Palace Park and just two minutes on foot from Gipsy Hill railway station, which has four trains an hour running to central London. 

The flat's owner, who lives in Cornwall, has recently refurbished the property so that it is suitable for short-term stays, according to planning documents submitted to Lambeth Council. The property will have a no parties and pets policy and only verified Airbnb guests would be able to stay at it to reduce the chances of antisocial behaviour.

Two objections have so far been lodged against the application on the Lambeth Council website. One, which claims to be on behalf of local community group the Norwood Action Group, reads: "Airbnb is likely to have more impact on the area e.g. car parking, disturbance, less demand for local services and facilities."

Another reads: "The nature of Airbnb means guests and visitors can change daily, and places greater demands on appropriate sound proofing between the housing units already within this property. 

"The applicant has made no impact assessment for the potential of noise and ASB [antisocial behaviour] from such a change of use to other residents in the property. Many, but not all, Airbnbs do from time to time attract rowdy and unneighbourly uses. With [the] applicant living such a long distance away adds to concerns that ASB and noise will not be well managed."

Lambeth Council will make a decision on the application at a later date.