Planning Permission in Southwark
London Borough in London · Last updated April 2026
Southwark is one of London's most diverse and dynamic boroughs, stretching from the historic South Bank and Borough Market in the north to the leafy Victorian suburbs of Dulwich and Herne Hill in the south. The borough encompasses some of the capital's most iconic landmarks — The Shard (the UK's tallest building at 310m), Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and Tower Bridge — alongside characterful residential neighbourhoods in Camberwell, Peckham, Bermondsey, and Rotherhithe. With 911 listed buildings, 53 conservation areas, and a housing stock ranging from Georgian terraces to interwar council estates and modern riverside developments, Southwark presents a complex planning landscape for homeowners.
Planning in Southwark is governed by the Southwark Plan 2022 (adopted February 2022, covering the period 2019-2036), which replaced the previous Core Strategy and saved policies. The borough is one of London's largest growth areas, with major regeneration programmes at Elephant and Castle (5,000+ homes), Old Kent Road (20,000 homes planned under an emerging Area Action Plan submitted for examination in 2025), Canada Water (4,500+ homes), and the Aylesbury Estate renewal (3,500 homes). The South Bank and Waterloo Neighbourhood Plan (made 2019) is the borough's only adopted neighbourhood plan. A Design Review Panel meets monthly to review significant proposals, and the council operates its own Heritage SPD (2021) and is preparing a new Householder Development SPD (2025 consultation).
With a planning approval rate of 92.2% — well above the national average of 86.9% — and 97.7% of householder applications decided on time, Southwark is one of London's most efficient planning authorities. However, the borough's 480 Article 4 directions (one of the most extensive networks in London), extensive conservation area coverage, and numerous heritage constraints mean that understanding local planning requirements before starting any building work is essential.
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What can I build in Southwark?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties near boundaries | Conservation areas (53), Article 4 zones (480), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | Conservation areas (53), Article 4 zones (480), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (53), Article 4 zones (480), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Properties on prominent corners or in Article 4 areas (Town centres and site allocations — Class MA restrictions, Protected shopping frontages) | Conservation areas (e.g. Trafalgar Avenue, Addington Square, Borough High Street), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Southwark outside conservation areas | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings, Article 4 areas |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties in Article 4 areas or near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Southwark (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Southwark's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Southwark
Permitted development rights in Southwark are significantly restricted compared to many other boroughs. The council has made 480 Article 4 directions — one of the most extensive networks in London — covering the Central Activities Zone, all major/district/local town centres, 85+ New Southwark Plan site allocations, six Strategic Protected Industrial Land areas, approximately 50 protected shopping frontages, and all railway arches. These primarily restrict Class MA (commercial to residential) and Class ZA (demolition and rebuild as residential) permitted development rights. Additionally, site-specific Article 4 directions restrict HMO conversions at Bywater Place SE16 and Henshaw Street SE17, external alterations on the Sunray Estate, demolition at the Old Southern Railway Stables and 41 Linden Grove, and development near the Great North Wood. For householders, standard PD rights generally apply outside conservation areas, but the northern borough's Flood Zone 3a status and the presence of 53 conservation areas create additional considerations.
What Southwark expects from your project
Southwark's design expectations are shaped by the Residential Design Standards SPD (2011, updated 2015), which is being replaced by a new Householder Development SPD (in consultation 2025). Policy P17 of the Southwark Plan defines tall buildings as over 30m (or 25m in the Thames Special Policy Area), with appropriate locations mapped on the Policies Map at Elephant and Castle, London Bridge, Canada Water, Blackfriars Road, and the Old Kent Road. The borough has no dedicated basement policy (unlike Camden or Westminster), so basement developments are assessed under general design and amenity policies, with flood risk assessment required in the northern borough's Flood Zone 3a. The Dulwich SPD provides area-specific design guidance for this village-like part of the borough. The Design Review Panel of local architecture practitioners meets monthly to review significant proposals. CIL rates vary significantly across the borough: £400/sqm in Zone 1 (Bankside/Borough), £218/sqm in Zone 2 (most areas), and £50/sqm in Zone 3 (Aylesbury area), plus Mayoral CIL of £35/sqm (all subject to annual indexation).
Local design guidance
Residential Design Standards SPD
Adopted 2015- Draft Householder Development SPD
Local Plan: Southwark Local Plan
The Southwark Local Plan was adopted in February 2022, replacing the Core Strategy (2011) and Saved Policies of the Southwark Plan (2007). The borough includes major regeneration areas at Canada Water, Elephant & Castle and Old Kent Road. The London Plan (2021) also applies.
53 conservation areas
Southwark has a high number of conservation areas. Check whether your property falls within one before starting any work — conservation area status significantly restricts what you can do without planning permission.
480 Article 4 directions
Southwark has applied Article 4 directions to 480 areas, which remove certain permitted development rights in those zones. Use our free checker to see if your property is affected.
92.2% approval rate
Southwark approves 92.2% of planning applications, above the national average of 86.9%. Well-designed residential applications in this area tend to have a good chance of success.
Conservation areas in Southwark
53 designated conservation areas
Southwark has 53 conservation areas protecting the character of neighbourhoods ranging from the medieval Borough High Street (designated 1968) and Victorian Camberwell Grove to more recent designations along the Old Kent Road (2021) including Yates Estate and Victory, Thomas A'Becket and High Street, The Mission, Livesey, and Kentish Drovers and Bird in Bush. Significant heritage areas include Dulwich Village (with area-specific SPD guidance), Bermondsey Street, Tower Bridge, St Saviour's Dock, and the distinctive 1920s garden suburb of the Sunray Estate (which has its own Article 4 direction for external alterations). Nunhead Cemetery — one of the Magnificent Seven Victorian cemeteries — has its own conservation area. With 4 Grade I listed buildings (including Southwark Cathedral, The George Inn — London's only surviving galleried coaching inn — and the Southwark portion of Tower Bridge), 30 Grade II* and 877 Grade II listed buildings, the heritage constraints are extensive. The Heritage SPD (2021) provides detailed guidance including on retrofitting heritage buildings for carbon reduction.
Article 4 directions in Southwark
480 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Southwark
There are 911 listed buildings in Southwark. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with Southwark's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Southwark received 1,731 planning applications and decided 1,559 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 92.2% is above the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
Southwark decided 1,559 planning applications in the year to September 2025, with an approval rate of 92.2% — well above the national average of 86.9% and the 4th highest in London. The council decided 97.7% of householder applications on time, with 568 householder decisions made. The delegation rate of 91% is the 4th lowest in London, meaning more applications go to committee than in most boroughs. The Housing Delivery Test score is 82% (5,131 homes delivered against a requirement of 6,278), resulting in a 20% buffer requirement on housing land supply. The borough's ambitious housing targets are supported by major regeneration programmes: Old Kent Road (20,000 homes), Elephant and Castle (5,000+), Canada Water (4,500+), and Aylesbury Estate (3,500). The potential Bakerloo Line Extension along Old Kent Road — with two new stations — remains a key enabling infrastructure project, though funding uncertainty continues.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in Southwark
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Southwark expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Southwark's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in Southwark
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Southwark delivered 5,131 homes against a requirement of 6,278 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 82%. This is below the 85% threshold, which means Southwark must apply a 20% buffer when calculating its five-year housing land supply. This makes it harder for the council to demonstrate it has enough land allocated for housing, and if it cannot, planning policy carries less weight and the balance shifts in favour of granting permission. For homeowners, this can mean a more favourable climate for planning applications that involve new dwellings, such as building in your garden or converting outbuildings.
Lawful Development Certificates in Southwark
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Southwark that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
Southwark decided 568 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 97.7% is above the national average of 93%, which suggests LDC applications are likely to be processed on time. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Southwark
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Southwark's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
Southwark must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Southwark.
Pre-application advice in Southwark
Southwark offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is Householder £251.70 (excl. VAT) for written advice on extensions and works to one home involving less than 100 sqm. £251.70 for listed building extensions or internal alterations. Additional meeting or site visit £251.70 each.. You can typically expect a response within Approximately 6 weeks for householder and other minor applications.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
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Planning fees and timelines in Southwark
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning permission | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Full planning permission (no new dwellings) | £548 | 8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval (larger home extension) | £120 | 42 days |
| Discharge of conditions (householder) | £145 | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment (householder) | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Southwark and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Southwark
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in Southwark is provided by Southwark Building Control. You can use Southwark Council's Local Authority Building Control service or a private Registered Building Control Approver. Full Plans and Building Notice routes available. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Fees depend on the type and scale of work. Contact the team for a quote. Services include Full Plans, Building Notices, Regularisation, and Demolition Notices.
Southwark planning department
Your building project checklist for Southwark
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Southwark has 53 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Southwark has 480 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
Nearby planning authorities
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