Get planning advice
We offer a range of advice services to help with your planning application.
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.
Public Access system maintenanceThe Public Access system will be unavailable from 7.30pm on Friday 11 September until 4pm on Sunday 13 September due to essential maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
- get answers to simple queries about planning processes or checks (Planning Information Service)
- get advice on simple planning projects, provided that they are not a listed buildings, and a brief written summary (Duty Planner Standard Service)
- get advice at a meeting on complex planning projects (including listed buildings) and a written summary (Duty Planner Complex Service).
- come to a pre-application meeting and get detailed written advice (Pre-Application Advice Service)
- get a dedicated planning officer assigned to your project and come to a series of design meetings for large-scale, comprehensive redevelopment schemes (Planning Performance Agreement Service)
- get advice about a listed building from a conservation officer
- find out how to engage the local community before and during the application process
Contact
Planning Department
Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, London, SE6 4RU
Telephone:
Opening hours:
The phone line is open 9am–5pm Monday–Friday, but payment system closes at 4pm
Published on: 04/08/2025