Delegated powers
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 2026The 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.[
How planning applications are decided
Most planning applications are decided by planning officers under delegated powers.
Under the national scheme of delegation, some types of application must be decided by officers. These are called Schedule 1 applications.
Other applications will normally be decided by officers unless they meet the national test for referral to a planning committee. These are called Schedule 2 applications.
Officers assess each application against planning policies and other relevant planning considerations before a decision is made.
When an application may go to Planning Committee
Schedule 2 applications may be referred to a planning committee only if the Council’s nominated senior officer and nominated councillor agree that they raise a significant local economic, social, environmental or planning issue.
Applications in which the Council, a councillor or an officer has an interest may also be referred to committee. The number of objections, a councillor request, an amenity society objection or a departure from planning policy will no longer automatically send an application to committee.