Southwark pre-application planning service - any advice / recommendations?

[frankie_]

Hi ED Forum! We're looking to submit a planning application to Southwark Council for a loft conversion (we're a corner plot so have stricter PD limitations) and have had some neighbours advising us to use the pre-application service, whereas others said it was a waste of time / money. Does anyone have experience using it before a planning application and happy to share any advice / recommendations? Thanks!

[malumbu]

Don't know about the process but suggest getting your neighbours on board regards your conversion, which will reduce the liklihood of objections and do listen to them if they have alternative suggestions.

[ribrob]

In the 5 times we've needed to use Southwark Planning across 2 different properties, we've found them to be slow and and very hit and miss.

Results very much depend on how busy they are generally, and who gets assigned to your application.

They also seem to be much more 'flexible' with business applications, and more picky with residential ones.

Your mileage may vary.

My main piece of advice would be to find similar properties in the immediate area that have loft conversions already, and include those  in the supporting documentation as examples of precedents near you to help yours through.

We're also a corner plot (and end-of-terrace - double whammy) and though we wanted to do a loft conversion (one of the reasons we bought the house before knew) we ended up not putting in permission when we heard Southwark is trying to preserve the roof type on the Victorian house in our area (London / butterfly roof).

Several other neighbours have tried, but all ended up withdrawing when it became clear it wasn't going to happen.

Might be worth seeing if you can speak with the someone in Planning.

If you do find one that's willing and knowledgeable, they'll be able to tell you if you're very likely to not get it based on the house, your location, your plan, which could save you a chunk of change.

But they'll also be very clear that they can't make any promises to you either way without full planning being put in.

[malumbu]

Talking about another local authority planning officers, they were very helpful for both those wanting to extend, and those possibly objecting, in years gone by.  Often their is a compromise that both parties will be reasonably happy with and/or will more likely get approved.  Back to the value of getting on with those who may be affected.  I'm not sure how well resourced Southwark are, and whether they will actually come out as they may have done in the past.  I expect that numbers of planning officers have been cut over recent years as local authorities tighten their belts.

I used to be active in objections to developments, starting with the plans for the multiplex at the old Crystal Palace, which the developer pulled out of in 2001.  I consider a lot of residential developments are ugly, not improving the streetscape, and sometimes too damn large.  I've long since stopped getting bothered, in any case regulations are far more liberal nowadays.  I only object every few years or so, with the hope that it is considered at planning committee.  I'm sure that your plans don't lead to any of the above issues,  but I don't know where you live and rest assured I wont be getting involved!

There's a story for the pub another time, it involved a local website (not this one) and got very acrimonious.  South London Press get involved, and the police.  The internet never forgets.  Not sharing any other information but I'll say a bit more via PM/DM if anyone is intrigued.  Have to be careful!