Planning obligations SPD
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.
New rules for planning application decisions 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.
The LDF Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides greater transparency and openness in the way planning obligations are agreed with developers.
The SPD provides additional information to implement the policies in the development plan and will be a material consideration in determining planning applications within the borough.
The SPD provides specific guidance on circumstances when obligations will be secured; the type of contributions for affordable housing and other mitigation measures that may be sought such as in relation to offsetting carbon impacts of a development.
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