Looking for a planning application in Southwark should not involve searching through several council departments, outdated web pages or unrelated national planning information.

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Planning Application Services (PAS) is developing a nationwide local planning directory designed to make the process simpler.

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The Southwark planning page brings together the information people most commonly need when researching a property or proposed development:

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• Access to the Southwark planning search

• Access to the local planning application register

• Information about planning permission in Southwark

• Guidance on viewing submitted plans and decisions

• Details of common application types

• Help preparing a new planning application

• Desktop and detailed pre-application advice

• Architectural drawings and supporting documents

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PAS is intended to become the first place homeowners, neighbours, buyers and property professionals visit when they need clear local planning information.

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Find a Neighbour’s Planning Application in Southwark

 

Many visitors are not preparing an application themselves. They simply want to find out what is being proposed next door, behind their garden or elsewhere in their street.

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The Southwark planning search can normally be used to locate an application using:

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• The property address

• The postcode

• The planning reference number

• The applicant’s name

• The application date

• A nearby street or location

• An interactive map, where available

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Once the correct application has been found, the public record may include:

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• The application description

• Existing floor plans

• Proposed floor plans

• Existing and proposed elevations

• Roof plans and building sections

• Location and block plans

• Design and access statements

• Heritage or planning reports

• Consultation dates

• Public comments

• The planning officer’s report

• The final decision notice

• Planning conditions

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Some personal or commercially sensitive information may be removed from public documents, and the records available will depend on what has been published by the planning authority.

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How to Search for Planning Applications Near Your Property

 

Start with the full address of the property where the work is proposed.

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Where an exact address does not produce the expected result, try:

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• Searching by postcode

• Searching without the flat number

• Using only the road name

• Looking at recently validated applications

• Checking applications on adjoining streets

• Using the map search

• Searching for earlier applications at the same property

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Applications are sometimes registered against a site name, building name or neighbouring address rather than the postal address expected by the person carrying out the search.

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For larger developments, the application may also cover several properties or a wider site.

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What Can a Southwark Planning Search Tell You?

 

The planning history of a property can provide useful evidence about what has previously been proposed and how the planning authority responded.

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A search may reveal:

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• Whether the property has already been extended

• Whether a loft conversion received permission

• Whether an application was refused

• Why an earlier proposal was considered unacceptable

• Whether planning conditions restrict future work

• Whether the building has been converted into flats

• Whether development is proposed next door

• Whether similar properties nearby have been altered

• Whether a change of use has been approved

• Whether an application was withdrawn before a decision

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A previous approval can be helpful when assessing a new project, but it does not guarantee that the same form of development will be approved again.

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Planning policies change, and apparently similar properties can be affected by different relationships with neighbours, heritage restrictions, trees, site levels or earlier planning conditions.

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The PAS Local Planning Directory

 

Planning Application Services (PAS) is building a dedicated planning directory covering local planning authorities across the UK.

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Rather than replacing the official planning register, PAS helps users find and understand the correct local planning information more quickly.

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Each PAS authority page is designed to provide a practical route to:

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• Search the local planning register

• Find planning applications and decisions

• Locate pre-application advice services

• Understand common local planning considerations

• Identify the likely application route

• Obtain professional planning support

• Arrange drawings and supporting information

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For someone searching for a neighbour’s extension, checking development near a property purchase or considering their own planning application, PAS provides an independent starting point before moving into the official authority records.

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Planning Across Southwark

 

Southwark extends from central London and the River Thames to the established residential neighbourhoods of Dulwich and the southern edge of the borough.

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It includes:

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• Bankside

• Bermondsey

• Borough

• Camberwell

• Canada Water

• Dulwich

• Elephant and Castle

• London Bridge

• Nunhead

• Peckham

• Rotherhithe

• Surrey Quays

• Walworth

• Parts of Herne Hill

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The planning issues affecting a major development near London Bridge can be very different from those affecting a rear extension in Dulwich or a roof conversion in Peckham.

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This is why local planning history and the immediate character of the site matter.

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London Bridge, Borough and Bankside

 

The northern part of Southwark contains some of London’s most intensively developed land.

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London Bridge, Borough and Bankside include offices, apartment buildings, hotels, cultural venues, historic buildings, railway infrastructure and major commercial developments.

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Planning proposals may include:

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• New residential buildings

• Office and commercial development

• Hotels and visitor accommodation

• Additional floors

• Mixed-use buildings

• Restaurant and leisure uses

• Public-realm works

• Alterations to major buildings

• Changes affecting historic structures

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Applications in these locations may need to consider building height, important views, heritage, transport, servicing, pedestrian movement and the relationship with nearby homes and public spaces.

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Elephant and Castle and Walworth

 

Elephant and Castle and Walworth contain major redevelopment areas alongside established housing, traditional streets, estates, shops and community facilities.

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Planning applications may range from individual home alterations to large residential and mixed-use developments.

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Larger schemes may need to address:

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• Building height and massing

• Affordable housing

• Public space

• Transport and pedestrian access

• Community facilities

• Servicing and deliveries

• Daylight and sunlight

• The relationship with existing neighbourhoods

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Smaller applications may involve extensions, roof alterations, property conversions, shopfronts and changes of use.

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Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and Canada Water

 

Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Surrey Quays and Canada Water contain traditional houses, converted warehouses, riverside buildings, estates, commercial premises and substantial redevelopment sites.

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The River Thames and former dock areas create distinctive planning considerations.

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Depending on the location, applications may need to address:

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• Flood risk

• Riverside character

• Heritage buildings

• Former industrial land

• Access and servicing

• Building height

• Public routes and open spaces

• Noise from commercial uses

• The relationship with existing housing

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Converted warehouses and historic industrial buildings may also require a design approach that retains their original character while accommodating a viable new use.

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Peckham, Nunhead and Camberwell

 

Peckham, Nunhead and Camberwell contain Victorian and Edwardian terraces, flats, estates, commercial streets, railway arches and an increasing range of cultural and mixed-use premises.

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Typical planning projects include:

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• Rear and side-return extensions

• Loft conversions and mansard roofs

• Property subdivisions

• Houses in multiple occupation

• New flats and infill housing

• Shopfront alterations

• Restaurant and café premises

• Changes of use

• Development above commercial buildings

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Where homes and commercial premises sit close together, applications may need to address noise, extraction equipment, operating hours, deliveries and refuse storage.

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Roof extensions can be especially sensitive where the original roofline remains intact or where a building forms part of a coordinated terrace.

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Dulwich and Southern Southwark

 

Dulwich Village, East Dulwich, West Dulwich and surrounding neighbourhoods contain traditional terraces, larger family homes, mansion blocks, private estates, mature trees and important open spaces.

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Planning proposals frequently involve:

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• House extensions

• Loft conversions

• Replacement windows

• Basement alterations

• New or replacement homes

• Garden buildings

• Garages and outbuildings

• Boundary walls and gates

• Development within larger gardens

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The scale and design of an extension may need to reflect the original house and the character of the surrounding street.

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Trees, landscaping, private estate controls, conservation areas and the relationship between neighbouring homes can all influence what may be acceptable.

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A large plot does not automatically mean that intensive development will receive planning permission.

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Conservation Areas and Historic Properties

 

Southwark contains historic townscapes, conservation areas, listed buildings and locally important architecture.

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Planning controls may affect:

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• Replacement windows and external doors

• Roof extensions and dormer windows

• Brickwork, render and external finishes

• Shopfronts and signage

• Boundary walls and railings

• Demolition

• External plant and ventilation equipment

• Extensions visible from the street

• Changes affecting listed buildings

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Listed building consent may be required in addition to planning permission.

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For sensitive buildings, an application may need detailed drawings, material specifications, a heritage statement and an explanation of how important features will be preserved.

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Some properties may also be affected by Article 4 Directions or earlier planning conditions removing permitted development rights.

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Planning Permission in Southwark

 

Southwark planning permission may be required for:

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• House and flat extensions

• Mansard and dormer roof extensions

• Additional storeys

• Balconies and roof terraces

• New houses and flats

• Property conversions

• Houses in multiple occupation

• Commercial changes of use

• Shopfronts and advertisements

• Restaurant and takeaway premises

• Development within conservation areas

• Work affecting listed buildings

• Retrospective alterations

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Some household projects may qualify as permitted development.

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A Lawful Development Certificate can provide formal confirmation that proposed or existing development is lawful where a full planning application is not required.

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Consider Pre-Application Advice Before Applying

 

For more ambitious or uncertain proposals, it can be sensible to obtain planning advice before preparing a full application.

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PAS can provide two levels of early planning support.

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Desktop Planning Assessment

 

A desktop assessment can review:

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• The property and surrounding area

• Its planning history

• Comparable local applications

• The likely application route

• Conservation or heritage restrictions

• Potential permitted development rights

• Design and neighbouring amenity concerns

• The realistic prospects of the proposal

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This can help clients decide whether a project is worth pursuing before committing to a complete drawing and application package.

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Detailed Pre-Application Submission

For larger or more sensitive projects, PAS can assist with a detailed pre-application request supported by drawings and planning information.

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This may be appropriate for:

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• Major extensions

• New houses

• Replacement dwellings

• Property conversions

• Additional floors

• Listed or historic buildings

• Commercial changes of use

• Development with an uncertain planning history

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The local authority’s response is not a planning decision, but it can identify likely concerns and help improve the proposal before a formal application is submitted.

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Preparing a Southwark Planning Application

 

Before drawings are prepared, it is important to establish the correct application route. Depending on the project, this may include:

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• Planning pre-app or pre-application advice

• Householder planning permission

• Full planning permission

• Prior approval

• Listed building consent

• Advertisement consent

• Change-of-use permission

• Lawful Development Certificate

• Retrospective planning permission

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A complete submission may require:

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• Location and block plans

• Existing and proposed floor plans

• Existing and proposed elevations

• Roof plans and building sections

• Street-scene drawings

• Design and access information

• Heritage or conservation statements

• Daylight and sunlight assessments

• Transport and parking information

• Tree, landscaping or ecology reports

• Drainage, waste or servicing details

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Planning Application Support

 

Planning Application Services (PAS) can assist with planning searches, desktop planning assessments, detailed pre-application advice, architectural drawings and the preparation and submission of applications for properties throughout Southwark.