Get planning advice
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.
- 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
The phone line is open 9am–5pm Monday–Friday, but payment system closes at 4pm