Changes to our planning service

There have been changes to our planning service due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

Temporary changes to our Statement of Community Involvement and Scheme of Delegation

Whilst working to support those during these time of extraordinary public health crisis, we also need to fulfil our statutory duties at this time of significant housing need. In order to deal with urgent planning cases, we are seeking to temporarily amend our Scheme of Delegation and Statement of Community Involvement in order to facilitate a change in officer delegation powers and allow virtual meetings.

The Scheme of Delegation will be presented to the Strategic Planning committee on 9 June 2020. The Statement of Community Involvement will be presented at Mayor and Cabinet on 10 June 2020. The proposals are time limited with a review after three months.

We are providing five days notification ahead of these meetings. Should you have any comments then please let us know by emailing alison.bradshaw@lewisham.gov.uk. We welcome your feedback during this period and thank you for your patience. The proposed changes are considered necessary in light of the exceptional circumstances so that we can fulfil our statutory function, taking into account the views of residents and the community.

Planning applications

You can still submit an application, but it may take longer than usual to process. Applications can only be submitted via the planning portal or by emailing planning@lewisham.gov.uk.

Changes in construction opening hours

On the 13 May 2020 the Government issued a Ministerial Statement, following the publication of ‘Our Plan to Rebuild: the UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy’ , which allows developers to request additional on-site construction working hours until 9pm Mondays to Saturdays for a limited period until 13 May 2021.

The Council will make a case by case appraisal on each developer request that is submitted and consider what variation to standard working hours conditions and Construction Management Plans is appropriate, taking into account the context of each individual site and the overarching importance of protecting residents amenity.

Please contact planning@lewisham.gov.uk to discuss any changes.

Duty planner meetings

All face-to-face pre-application and duty planner meetings have been cancelled. Advice will now be provided via telephone or video call (appointment only). Planning officers may request up to date photographs of sites, rather than making a visit.

Design Review Panel meetings have been postponed or cancelled as appropriate.

Comment on planning applications

Comments on planning applications should be submitted via the planning portal or by emailing planning@lewisham.gov.uk.