Planning in Lewisham

Before submission

Validation requirements

The council provides specific checklists for different application types to ensure valid submissions. Applicants must include all necessary information, otherwise the application may be returned or withdrawn if not made valid within 21 days.

• Use the separate checklist for householder applications, minor applications including works to flats, or major development.
• The council says to contact it if no acknowledgement or invalid letter arrives within two weeks.
• Where an application is invalid, the council gives 21 days to supply the missing information before withdrawal.

SourceLewisham — application requirements(opens in a new tab)· checked 2026-10-07

Timescales

Realistic decision times

Statutory target

The national determination period set in law, counted from validation. A target, not a guarantee.

Actual processing time

What the council's published performance data shows in practice, including extensions of time.

Allow for validation before the decision period starts. The usual statutory determination periods in England are 8 weeks for non-major applications, 13 weeks for major development and 16 weeks where environmental impact assessment is required, unless a different period is agreed.

• These are statutory targets, not a measured borough average or a guarantee. No current borough-specific average has been verified for this guide.
• An incomplete submission, amendments, committee referral or an agreed extension of time can extend the overall programme.
• Ask the planning team about its current validation queue before setting a construction date. Prior approval and other specialist applications can have different statutory periods.

SourceGOV.UK — determining a planning application(opens in a new tab)· checked 2026-10-07

Permitted development

Article 4 restrictions

These are selected directions, not an exhaustive address search. Read the council’s current map, schedule, commencement date and any later modifications for your property. A conservation area is not automatically an Article 4 area, and a direction affecting changes of use does not necessarily restrict a home extension. Confirm the responsible planning authority too: some development-corporation areas have separate arrangements.

Article 4 directions remove permitted development rights for single dwelling houses in specific conservation areas to preserve architectural character. This requires planning permission for external changes visible from public viewpoints, such as alterations to windows, roofs, chimneys, or boundary treatments.

• Named areas include Brockley, Deptford High Street, Hatcham, Ladywell, and Lee Manor conservation areas.
• Specific properties like the Baring Hall Hotel and Eros House are also subject to directions.
• Directions apply exclusively to single dwelling houses; commercial properties and flats do not have these rights.
• Permission is required for visible changes including hard surfacing, porch additions, and exterior painting.

SourceLewisham — Article 4 information(opens in a new tab)· checked 2026-10-07