Once the planning case officer has considered the proposals and the consultation period has expired, we will make a decision on whether to grant planning permission.
A case officer checks if a planning application follows national and local policies. They also check other planning factors like design and neighbour impact. Learn more about this process in the government guidance on assessing planning applications.
Most decisions are made by senior officers. More complex or potentially controversial applications will be decided at a planning committee meeting.
If your application is dealt with at a planning committee meeting, you have the right to attend and speak at that meeting.
Southwark has a planning committee and 2 planning sub-committees. The committees are made of elected councillors. They decide if planning applications should be approved or refused.
Find out more about:
Planning committee meetings take place in the council offices at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. These meetings are open to the public and are live-streamed on Southwark Council's YouTube channel.
Planning committee generally considers planning applications when the development involves:
- 50 or more homes
- 3,500 sq m or more commercial floorspace
- mixed use development with 3,500 sq m floorspace or more, including applications for change of use
These applications must also meet at least 1 or more of the following criteria:
- has 5 or more relevant objections, including our own developments
- is requested by 2 councillors to be determined by a planning committee, and agreed by the chair of the committee
- the proposed development does not comply with all the policies in the Southwark Plan
- is clearly linked to another application that is to be considered by the planning committee
- involves a legal agreement, other than those in accordance with policy requirements
- is of strategic importance, referable to Mayor London or needs Secretary of State notification as a departure from the development plan
- needs an environmental impact assessment
- includes development of Metropolitan Open Land or contaminated land
Planning sub-committees generally consider planning applications for:
- 10 to 49 homes
- 1,000 sq m to 3,500 sq m commercial floorspace
- mixed use development with 1,000sq m to 3,500sq m of floorspace, including applications for change of use
These applications must also meet at least 1 or more of the following criteria:
- has 5 or more relevant objections, including our own developments
- the proposed development does not comply with all the policies in the Southwark Plan
Planning sub-committees also consider:
- planning applications requested by 2 councillors to be determined by planning committee, and agreed by the chair of the committee
- development of Metropolitan Open Land
If you want to speak at a committee meeting then you must tell our constitutional team by 5pm the day before the meeting. You can do this by emailing Constitutional.Team@southwark.gov.uk.
Only 1 representative is allowed to object to or support an application. Speakers must live within 100 metres of the application site. Both representing sides can speak for up to 3 minutes.
Once we have decided the application, you will receive a decision notice. This states if we have granted or refused the application. If granted, the notice will list the conditions that must be complied with. If refused, the notice will set out what the reasons were for refusal.
