Lewisham Council has confirmed it has adopted the new national scheme for planning applications which come in at the end of October.
Under the new rules “section 1” planning applications can ONLY be decided by planning officers and can’t be considered by councillors on the Planning Committee.
Section 1 applications cover many of the types of development which the Lee Manor Society scrutinises: new housing developments consisting of 1 to 9 dwellings on a site smaller than 0.5 hectares. extensions, loft conversions, and alterations to existing single-family homes. It also covers minor commercial developments including shopfront changes, small extensions, and minor alterations to commercial buildings.
However, the new rules do not change the restrictions which apply to Conservation Areas, only to who makes the decisions. The Society will continue to look at all new applications and make comments where necessary.