Southwark Council Landlord Consent - Please help!!

[TessaC]

Hi

I'm looking for some help - my boyfriend and I recently bought the leasehold of a basement flat in Lausanne Road and are trying to make some improvements, including creating a doorway through and slightly shortening some structural walls.

We have engaged a structural engineer who can see no issue with the proposed changes and has provided all the relevant drawings/calculations as well as confirmation that the changes will have no impact on the structural integrity of the house.

However, when we applied to Southwark Council for freeholder consent, they refused us permission to make these changes, citing as their reason (verbally - we have had no written response) that this would interfere with their obligation to provide housing to the council tenants living in the flat above.

There would be no impact on the flat above (beyond some noise from our flat - which we have discussed with them and they are fine with), so this does not strike me as particularly reasonable.

I will go back to them and ask for further clarification, but I wondered if anyone on here would be able to provide examples of situations in which Southwark Council (as freeholder) have provided consent for structural changes (particularly in situations where the property in questioned contained a number of seperate flats)?

Many thanks advance for your help.

Tessa

[tommyfate]

Hi Tessa,

I know this was a little while ago but I'm after similar information from Southwark and I wondered whether you had had success since posting this? I am in the process of gaining consent from Southwark council as freeholders, for what sounds bigger plans including a small extension, would be most useful to find out if you gained consent eventually. I have been told that Southwark council can take up to 6 months to grant it. Thanks in advance, and do hope you managed to do your renovations.

Tom