Planning consultation

When we receive a planning application, we are legally required to give members of the public an opportunity to comment on the development proposal.

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.

Members of the public are made aware of the proposals by:

Neighbour consultation letters: letters are sent to occupiers whose property immediately adjoins the site and other properties which may be affected by the development.
Site notice: the applicant is required to display a yellow site notice outside the property, to make neighbours aware of the development proposal.
Public notice: the Case Officer will be required to display a notice within the vicinity of the site.
Press notice: a notice is published in the local press which provides details of the development proposal.
Applications register: the online planning applications register, allows you to search and view the application, including all the documents that are associated with the case.

If you have not received a consultation letter, you will still be able to comment on the application.

Please note that not all planning applications will use all of the methods above. The type of consultation used will be dependent on the type of application submitted and the development proposal. For further information, visit the Statement of Community Involvement.

Published on: 22/10/2026