Apply for a demolition notice

If you are planning to demolish a building or part of a building in the borough of Lewisham, you must submit a demolition notice to us, giving at least six weeks' notice prior to the demolition taking place.

Building Safety Levy: starts 1 October 2026

The Building Safety Levy (BSL) will come into effect on 1 October 2026. It is a tax on new dwellings and new bedspaces in purpose‑built student accommodation (PBSA).

Developers must pay the levy on certain building control applications or notices before completion or occupation of the building. The Council will collect the levy.

The Building Safety Levy (England) Regulations 2025 sets out how the levy will operate.

Changes to how some planning applications are decided from 31 October 2026

The Government has introduced new national rules about who decides planning applications.

These rules are formally called the national scheme of delegation. From 31 October 2026, they will decide which applications must be decided by planning officers and which may go to Planning Committee.

The rules will apply to cases decided from that date. We have updated Lewisham’s Constitution to reflect the changes.[

What happens next

We will send you an acknowledgement on the day we receive your application, with your reference number.

Demolition notice form

Pdf, 59.7KB

General advice

You can reduce or avoid causing any nuisance to the neighbours or action being taken by the Council, if you:

send a letter to the neighbours before work starts, telling them about the work and what to expect
give the neighbours a contact name and telephone number and keep them informed
keep dust, noise and smoke to a minimum

Contact us

Building Control

Fourth Floor, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, London, SE6 4RU

Telephone:

020 8314 8233

Email:

buildingcontrol@Lewisham.gov.uk

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday, 9-11am and 3-5pm

Published on: 28/10/2025