Planning in Southwark

Before submission

Validation requirements

Southwark requires householder applicants to follow specific document checklists based on the nature of their proposed works. Applicants must use the Planning Portal's 'Householder planning consent' form and provide required certificates confirming site ownership.

• Applicants must submit a CIL additional information form for all householder applications.
• Proposals involving extensions or basement works require specific section and roof plan drawings including height dimensions.
• Works in conservation areas or on listed buildings mandate specific Design and Access or Heritage statements respectively.
• Basement development requires a formal impact assessment prepared by a qualified engineer or geologist.

SourceSouthwark — 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 in Southwark act to withdraw certain permitted development rights, meaning planning permission becomes mandatory for specific developments in designated areas.

• Article 4 directions are not retrospective and do not apply to past development.
• An interactive online map is provided by the council to identify specific areas in Southwark subject to these directions.

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