Southwark Plan 2022

How we use the Southwark Plan to assess planning applications

This page lists our detailed planning policies. Check these policies if you are making a planning application – the policies explain what we look for when assessing planning applications. If your application does not follow these policies, it may be rejected.

Our policies are organised by theme:

Homes for all
Southwark Together
A great start in life
A green and inclusive economy
Thriving neighbourhoods and tackling health inequalities
Climate Emergency

Click on the strategic policy in the list to see all the relevant development management policies.

How to use these policies

If the policy says that something 'must' be done, then your development proposal must comply with this policy to get planning permission.

If the policy says that something 'should' be done, then your development proposal is more likely to get planning permission if it complies with the policy.

You can view the Southwark Plan glossary ^{(PDF, 178kb)} to get help understanding these policies.

The Southwark Plan validation requirements and relevant planning documents section ^{(PDF, 222kb)} explains what you need to submit with your planning application for each policy. so that we can assess if it complies or not. Look at our validation checklist to understand what you need to submit with your planning application.

Homes for all

SP1 Homes for all
We will lead the way in London to build more homes of every kind in Southwark and to use every tool at our disposal to increase the supply of all different kinds of homes. Our target is for 50% of all new homes as social rented and intermediate homes. We will ensure that all new homes in Southwark are of such good quality that you will not know whether you are visiting homes in private, housing association or council ownership.

This will be achieved through:
1. Delivering at least 40,035 homes between 2019 and 2036 (2,355 new homes per annum), this includes 10,217homes on small sites between 2019 and 2036 (601 new homes per annum); and
2. Supporting the delivery of homes on small sites; and
3. Building 11,000 new council homes by 2043 as part of our overall housing target, by developing our own land and developing on some of our existing estates, including in-fill development; and
4. Encouraging developers to increase the provision of social rented and intermediate homes on sites beyond 35%; and
5. Encouraging developers to receive affordable housing grant to increase the provision of social rented and intermediate housing; and
6. Encouraging developers to provide more social rented and intermediate housing through the fast track route; and
7. Maintaining high housing standards; and
8. Building more family homes for households with children as well as childless households; and
9. Ensuring that vulnerable residents and families are helped to find the right housing to live as independently as possible; and
10. Enabling our residents to take pride in and feel responsible for their homes and local area; and
11. Requiring sustainable design so that new homes adapt to climate change and mitigate against climate change by reducing carbon emissions on site.

P1 Social rented and intermediate housing

Percentage

Development that creates 10 or more homes must provide the maximum viable amount of social rented and intermediate homes. The minimum amount should be 35%, as set out in Table 1, subject to viability. Except in the Aylesbury Action Area Core, as set out in Table 2. Intermediate tenure homes should be suitable for households on a range of incomes. This may require a mix of shared ownership and other intermediate tenure homes.
Development that creates 9 homes or fewer (inclusive) must provide the maximum amount of social rented and intermediate homes or a financial contribution towards the delivery of new council social rented and intermediate homes with a minimum of 35% subject to viability as set out in Table 1.

Viability

Viability appraisals and reviews are required for all developments. These must be published for public scrutiny.
In exceptional circumstances development can follow the fast track route. Either:
1. Where development provides 40% social rented and intermediate housing, with a policy compliant tenure mix, (a minimum of 25% social rented and a minimum of 10% intermediate housing) as set out in Table 1 with no grant subsidy. Where developments follow the fast track route they will not be subject to a viability appraisal. A viability appraisal will be necessary if amendments are proposed to lower the affordable housing provision to less than 40% following the grant of planning permission; or
2. In Aylesbury Area Action Core, where development provides 60% social rented and intermediate housing with a policy compliant tenure mix as set out in Table 2, with no grant subsidy. Where developments follow the fast track route they will not be subject to a viability appraisal. A viability review will be necessary if amendments are proposed to lower the social rented and intermediate housing provision to less than 60% following the grant of planning permission.
Where development cannot provide social rented and intermediate housing on site, any off site social rented and intermediate housing requirement will be measured as the total housing provision from the main development site plus any linked sites. This should provide no financial benefit to the applicant.
Where social and intermediate housing cannot be provided on site or off site a cash payment towards the delivery of new council homes will be required. The value of any contributions will be based on the cost of meeting an on site social and intermediate housing requirement and should provide no financial benefit to the applicant.
The subdivision of sites or phasing of development which has the effect of circumventing social and intermediate housing policy requirements will not be permitted.
Housing requirements will be calculated in habitable rooms.
Use of the ‘Vacant Building Credit’ will not be accepted.

Table 1 : Social rented and intermediate housing requirement
Market Housing	Social rented and intermediate housing
Up to 65%	A minimum of 35%
	Social rented housing	Intermediate housing
	A minimum of 25%*	A minimum of 10%*

*Applicants must meet the minimum requirement. If social rented and intermediate housing provision marginally falls below the minimum, we will not accept rounding up. This may increase the overall quantum which should be in favour of social rented housing.

Table 2: Aylesbury social rented and intermediate housing requirement
	Market housing	Social rented and intermediate housing requirement (75% social rented, 25% intermediate
Area Action Core	50%	50%
Proposal Site AAAP1 (Phase 1)	41%	59%
Proposal Sites AAAP2 and AAAP3 (Phases 2 and 3)	50%	50%
Proposal Site AAAP4 (Phase 4)	58%	42%

P2 New family homes
1. Major residential developments, including conversions, must provide:
  1. A minimum of 60% of homes with two or more bedrooms; and 70% in Aylesbury Action Area Core with two or more bedrooms; and
  2. A minimum of 20% of family homes with three or more bedrooms in the Central Activities Zone and Action Area Cores; or
  3. A minimum of 25% of homes with three or more bedrooms in the urban zone (see Figure 3); or
  4. A minimum of 30% of homes with three or more bedrooms in the suburban zone (see Figure 3); and
  5. A minimum of 7% of homes with four beds in the Aylesbury Action Area Core; and
  6. A minimum of 3% of homes with five beds in the Aylesbury Action Area Core; and
  7. A maximum of 5% studios and 3% studios in the Aylesbury Action Area Core, which can only be for private housing; and
  8. Two bedroom homes as a mix of two bedroom 3 person and two bedroom 4 person homes.
2. Family homes in apartment blocks should have direct access to outdoor amenity space and allow oversight of children outside.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's Action Areas and the Central Activities Zone:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Turn on the 'Action Areas and Opportunity Areas' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Central Activities Zone' map layer
P3 Protection of existing homes
1. The sub-division of a single dwelling of 130sqm or less (original net internal floorspace, excluding attics and basements and other parts of the building not intended for habitation) into two or more homes will not be permitted.
2. The net loss of existing housing, including to short-stay accommodation, will not be permitted except:
  1. Where existing location and standard of accommodation is unsatisfactory and cannot be improved; or
  2. Where the residential accommodation is on a site that is allocated in the development plan for an alternative use in preference to housing.

P4 Private rented homes

New self-contained, private rented homes in developments providing less than 100 homes must comply with policy P1.
New self-contained, private rented homes in developments providing 100 homes or more must:
1. Provide security and professional management for the homes; and
2. Provide a mix of housing sizes, reflecting local need for rented property; and
3. Provide the same design standards required for build-for-sale homes; and
4. Provide tenancies for private renters for a minimum of three years with a six month break clause in the tenant’s favour and structured and limited in-tenancy rent increases agreed in advance; and
5. Meet Southwark’s Private Rent Standard; and
6. Be secured for the rental market for a minimum 30 year term. Where any private rented homes are sold from the private rented sector within 30 years this will trigger a clawback mechanism resulting in a penalty charge towards affordable housing; and
7. Provide maximum amount, with a minimum of 35% affordable homes in accordance with policy P1 or Table 3, subject to viability. Where the provision of private rented homes generates a higher development value than if the homes were built for sale, the minimum affordable housing requirement will increase to the point where there is no financial benefit to providing private rented homes over build for sale homes; and
8. Be subject to a viability review to increase the number of and/or the affordability of affordable homes where an improvement in scheme viability is demonstrated between the grant of planning permission and the time of the review.
Discount Market Rent homes at social rent equivalent must be allocated to households on Southwark’s social housing waiting list. All other Discount Market Rent homes must be allocated in accordance with Southwark’s Intermediate Rent Housing Policy.

Table 3: Affordable housing requirement option on qualifying private rented homes schemes
Market Housing	Affordable housing
Up to 65%	A minimum of 35%
	Social rent equivalent	Affordable rent capped at London Living Rent equivalent
	A minimum of 15%*	A minimum of 20%*

* Applicants must meet the minimum requirement. If social rented equivalent and affordable rent capped at London Living Rent equivalent housing provision marginally falls below the minimum, we will not accept rounding up. This may increase the overall quantum which should be in favour of affordable rent capped at London LivingRent equivalent. This is separate to our consideration of social rent in conventional housing which is always our overall priority.

P5 Student homes
Development of purpose-built student housing must:
1. Provide 5% of student rooms as easily adaptable for occupation by wheelchair users; and
2. When providing direct lets at market rent, provide the maximum amount, with a minimum of 35% as conventional affordable housing by habitable room subject to viability, as per policy P4, as a first priority. In addition to this, 27% of student rooms must be let at a rent that is affordable to students as defined by the Mayor of London; or
3. When providing all of the student rooms for nominated further and higher education institutions, provide the maximum amount of affordable student rooms with a minimum of 35% subject to viability. The affordable student rent should be set as defined by the Mayor of London.
P6 Purpose built shared living
Development of purpose-built shared living must:
1. Provide the maximum amount, with a minimum of 35% conventional affordable housing by habitable room subject to viability as per Policy P4, as a first priority. Where affordable housing cannot be provided on site a cash payment towards the delivery of new council homes will be required. The value of any contributions will be based on the cost of meeting an on site affordable housing requirement and should provide no financial benefit to the applicant.
2. All purpose-built shared living schemes will require a viability appraisal to be submitted.
P7 Housing for older people
1. Development of new specialist housing for older people must:
  1. Provide conventional social rented and intermediate housing in accordance with Policy P1 or specialist affordable accommodation for older people, subject to need. The need for affordable specialist accommodation for older people and the suitability of any proposed provision will be determined by the council. There should be no financial benefit to the developer in providing affordable specialist older people accommodation in place of conventional social rented and intermediate housing; and
  2. Provide excellent accessibility and amenity for residents and adequate communal areas and space for on site services and facilities; and
  3. Be located in areas suitable for older people which have good access to local goods and services and be located in, or close to town centres.
2. A loss of specialist housing for older people will only be permitted where alternative accommodation is provided elsewhere, subject to need. The acceptability of replacement provision will be based on the number of bed-spaces, suitability of location and affordability of accommodation.

P8 Wheelchair accessible and adaptable housing

New build major residential development must:
1. Meet Building Regulation M4(3) standard (Wheelchair User Dwellings) in at least 10% of homes (as measured in habitable rooms) and
2. The remaining dwellings must meet Building Regulation M4(2) (accessible and adaptable dwellings) and;
3. Where those homes are affordable wheelchair user homes, 10% of social rented homes must be wheelchair accessible and meet Building Regulation M4(3)(2)(b) standard (Wheelchair accessible dwellings).
New build residential development must:
1. Provide a mix of dwelling sizes and tenures that meet the above standards, including family homes. Two bedroom three person affordable wheelchair homes will not be acceptable; and
2. Provide wheelchair accessible homes that meet the minimum space standards set out in Table 4; and
3. Provide affordable wheelchair homes that meet the design and access standards set out in Table 5; and
4. Provide access to a second lift where wheelchair accessible or wheelchair adaptable units are above the ground floor; and
5. Provide affordable wheelchair homes which, where unoccupied, must be let as local authority temporary accommodation until a suitable permanent household is identified; and
6. Provide alternative specialist housing to meet specific needs in place of an affordable wheelchair user home where the council has identified a specialist housing need; and
7. Where wheelchair accessible homes cannot be provided on site, a financial contribution will be required towards the provision of new affordable wheelchair homes or the adaptation of existing affordable homes to wheelchair user standard. The financial contribution will be the equivalent to the cost of fitting out a new home or existing homes to a wheelchair user standard.

Table 4: Accessible wheelchair user housing minimum space standards
Number of bedrooms	Minimum space (apartments) (sqm)	Minimum space (houses) (sqm)
1b2p	65	N/A
2b3p	75	80
2b4p	85	100
3b4p	100	110
3b5p	110	120
3b6p	115	125

Table 5: Wheelchair homes design and access standards
Installation of entry phones which allow access to the communal area and private front door where the private door is behind a communal door.
Hand wash basins that are mountable on adjustable height brackets.
Two lifts where wheelchair user homes are situated above the ground floor.
Corridor widths of at least 1,200mm.
Window handles within the 450mm to 1,200mm range.
Wall fitted shower seats with drop down legs, drop down arms and a back rest.
Installation of a side hinged oven.
Accessible storage including drop down shelving and pull out baskets, ensuring storage space, in combination with any shelving layout, provides optimum access to space and to stored items.
Clear open doorways at least 900mm.
Living rooms, bathrooms and shower rooms, kitchens and dining rooms which exceed the minimum space standards in Building Regulations.
600mm x 600mm wheelchair accessible work top for food preparation.
Ramps at a gradient of 1:20

P9 Houses in multiple occupation
New houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) must:
1. Not contribute to an overconcentration within the local area. Overconcentration will be assessed where the character of the area has changed or the local amenity of the area is impacted as a result of:
  1. Increased noise;
  2. Impacts on visual amenity as a result of properties not being maintained;
  3. Anti-social behaviour;
  4. Pressures on parking provision and cycle storage;
  5. Pressures on local community facilities; or
  6. Stress on waste management facilities
2. Meet the council’s Standards for HMOs; and
3. Provide adequate indoor communal space, outdoor communal amenity space, refuse and recycling storage and one cycle parking space per occupant; and
4. Provide affordable housing contributions in accordance with policy P1.
P10 Supported housing and hostels
1. Change of use from supported housing and hostels to other uses will not be permitted where the existing use meets an identified local housing need.
2. New supported housing and hostels providing accommodation and support for vulnerable people must:
  1. Not contribute to an overconcentration within the local area. Overconcentration will be assessed where the character of the area has changed or the local amenity of the area is impacted as a result of:
    1. Increased noise;
    2. Impacts on visual amenity;
    3. Anti-social behaviour
    4. Pressures on parking provision and cycle storage
    5. Pressures on local community facilities; or
    6. Stress on waste management facilities
  2. Provide adequate indoor communal space, outdoor communal amenity space, refuse and recycling storage and one cycle parking space per occupant; and
  3. Provide a staffing and management plan showing how the property will be managed and the amenity of occupants and neighbours will be protected.
P11 Self and custom build
Development of serviced plots of land suitable for self and custom build homes should be permitted where:
1. There is evidence of sufficient self-build demand from people or groups on Southwark’s Self and Custom Build Register; and
2. Homes on the plots are to be occupied by people or groups on Southwark’s Self and Custom Build Register.
P12 Homes for Travellers and Gypsies
We will continue to protect our existing Traveller and Gypsy sites. We will work towards providing new sites in the future to meet the accommodation needs of Travellers and Gypsies. We will do this by:
1. Safeguarding the existing four Traveller and Gypsy sites in Southwark as shown on the Policies Map and;
2. Identifying new sites for additional accommodation to meet the needs of Travellers and Gypsies having regard to:
  1. The need for safe access to the road network; and
  2. The impact on the local environment and character; and
  3. The impact on amenity; and
  4. The availability of essential services, such as water, sewerage and drainage and waste disposal; and
  5. The proximity to shops, services and community facilities; and
  6. The need to avoid areas at high risk of flooding.

Southwark Together

SP2 Southwark Together
We will continue to revitalise our places and neighbourhoods to create new opportunities for residents and local businesses, to promote wellbeing and reduce inequalities so that people have better lives in stronger communities.
This will be achieved through:
1. Mitigating and adapting development to climate change to meet the net zero carbon target by 2050; and
2. Developing places where everyone can benefit from all activities, including play spaces, leisure activities, squares and shops, buildings and the natural environment. These places should enable everyone to feel proud of their home and create a sense of belonging in the community; and
3. Investing in our communities and residents, and particularly existing residents, so that everyone can access the benefits of our regeneration programmes and the opportunities created by those programmes for new homes, new jobs, education, training and new physical and social infrastructure; and
4. Encouraging greater tenure integration and equality within and between new development in order to create the conditions for properly mixed and integrated communities, ensuring equity of esteem from street level, and to mitigate against stark visible differences and a sense of tenure segregation; and
5. Developments being designed for the diverse communities in Southwark, including all principles of the Southwark Stands Together initiative and to ensure accessibility, inclusivity, and interaction, regardless of disability, age, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage or civil partnership or gender, and allow all to participate equally, confidently and independently in everyday activities; and
6. Making our neighbourhoods safer with well-designed buildings and spaces that mitigate and minimise the impacts of climate change on local residents, discourage crime and anti-social behaviour and foster a sense of community; and
7. Encouraging residential development above shops to enliven town centres; and
8. Ensuring that our existing residents and neighbourhoods prosper from good growth by giving people from every community the opportunity to collaborate throughout the regeneration process. Good growth includes supporting and diversifying our strong local economy, providing new jobs including new green jobs, championing existing and new business growth and supporting small shops and businesses through regeneration including building new, affordable workspaces to continue trading or grow their businesses; and
9. Enhancing local distinctiveness and heritage-led regeneration by requiring the highest possible standards of design, creating vibrant, attractive, healthy, safe and distinctive buildings and places that instil pride of place in all our communities. This will include networks of green infrastructure, opportunities for healthy activities and improving streets, squares and public places between buildings; and
10. Strengthening support in regeneration areas for those who are vulnerable or who face greater disadvantage, by investing in the prevention and tackling causes of inequality, involving all of our services, partners and community-based activities.
P13 Design of places
Development must:
1. Ensure height, scale, massing and arrangement respond positively to the existing townscape, character and context; and
2. Better reveal local distinctiveness and architectural character; and conserve and enhance the significance of the local historic environment; and
3. Ensure the urban grain and site layout take account of and improve existing patterns of development and movement, permeability and street widths; and
4. Ensure buildings, public spaces, open spaces and routes are positioned according to their function, importance and use; and
5. Ensure a high quality public realm that encourages walking and cycling and is safe, legible, and attractive, and eases the movement of pedestrians, cyclists, pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters and vehicular traffic. Street clutter should be avoided; and
6. Provide landscaping which is appropriate to the context, including the provision and retention of street trees, and
7. Provide the use of green infrastructure through the principles of water sensitive urban design, including quiet green spaces, tree pit rain gardens in addition to green grid spaces for people and surface water runoff; and
8. Provide accessible and inclusive design for all ages and people with disabilities; and
9. Provide opportunities for formal and informal play; and
10. Provide adequate outdoor seating for residents and visitors.
P14 Design quality
Development must provide:
1. High standards of design including building fabric, function and composition; and
2. Innovative design solutions that are specific to the site’s historic context, topography and constraints; and
3. Adequate daylight, sunlight, outlook, and a comfortable microclimate including good acoustic design for new and existing residents; and
4. A positive response to the context using durable, quality materials; and
5. Buildings and spaces which are constructed and designed sustainably to adapt to the impacts of climate change; and
6. Buildings and spaces that utilise active design principles that are fitting to the location, context, scale and type of development; and
7. Active frontages and entrances that promote activity and successfully engage with the public realm in appropriate locations; and
8. Adequate servicing within the footprint of the building and site for each land use; and
9. Accessible and inclusive design for all; and
10. A positive pedestrian experience; and
11. Basements that do not have adverse archaeological, amenity or environmental impacts.

P15 Residential design

Development must achieve an exemplary standard of residential design.
All new build and conversions to residential development must take into consideration the site context, the impact on the amenity of adjoining occupiers, and the quality of accommodation as follows:
1. Provide a high standard of quality of accommodation for living conditions; and
2. Be tenure blind; and
3. Provide no material differences in appearance between affordable and market homes in apartment blocks; and
4. Provide the opportunity for residents of all tenures to access on site facilities; and
5. Avoid having more than eight dwellings accessed from a single core per floor; and
6. Provide acceptable levels of natural daylight by providing a window in every habitable room, except in loft space where a roof light may be acceptable; and
7. Achieve a floor to ceiling height of at least 2.5 metres for at least 75 per cent of the Gross Internal Area of each dwelling to maximise natural ventilation and natural daylight in the dwelling; and
8. Be predominantly dual aspect and allow for natural cross ventilation; and
9. In circumstances where due to site constraints it is impossible or impractical to provide dual aspect dwellings it must be demonstrated how overheating and ventilation will be mitigated. Single aspect dwellings will not be acceptable if they have three or more bedrooms, or are north facing or where the façade is exposed to high noise levels; and
10. Meet the minimum national space standards set out in Table 6, or where relevant the Aylesbury Action Area Core space standards set out in Table 7, providing adequate internal space for the intended number of occupants, including the provision of additional built in storage as set out in Table 7; and
11. Provide private amenity space, communal amenity space and facilities for all residents, and child play space on site using the GLA calculator. Child play space should be on ground or low level podiums with multiple egress points; and
12. Provide equal access to outdoor space for all residents regardless of tenure; and
13. In the Old Kent Road opportunity area, provide 5sqm of public open space per dwelling in addition to the communal amenity space requirement. New open space must be provided in the locations identified on the Old Kent Road Area Action Plan masterplan. Sites where a new open space is not identified must provide a financial contribution instead; and
14. Provide communal facilities including gardens and community rooms. Provide green communal amenity space for all residents and additional communal play areas for children (aged up to 16) for apartments. Communal amenity space should be designed to provide multiple benefits (e.g. recreation, food growing, habitat creation, SUDS) and should be additional to external communal amenity space; and
15. In circumstances where private and communal amenity space and facilities or child play space cannot be provided on site, this should be provided as private amenity space with the remaining amount added to the communal space requirement; and, we will seek a financial contribution towards providing new or improving existing public open space or play space provision in the vicinity of the site; and
16. Maximise the use of sustainable technologies and materials; and
17. Complete a Whole Life-cycle Carbon Assessment for Major Referrable schemes for existing buildings and identify where materials can be recycled and reused.

Table 6: Minimum internal space standards (residential)
Number of bedrooms (b)	Number of bed spaces (persons)	1 storey dwellings	2 storey dwellings	3 storey dwellings	Built in storage
1b	1	39 (37)	n/a	n/a	1
1b	2	50	58	n/a	1.5
2b	3	61	70	n/a	2
2b	4	70	79	n/a	2
3b	4	74	84	90	2.5
3b	5	86	93	99	2.5
3b	6	95	102	108	2.5
4b	5	90	97	103	3
4b	6	99	106	112	3
4b	7	108	115	121	3
4b	8	117	124	130	3
5b	6	103	110	116	3.5
5b	7	112	119	125	3.5
5b	8	121	128	134	3.5
6b	7	116	123	129	4
6b	8	125	132	138	4

Table 7: Aylesbury Action Area Core space standards
Number of bedrooms	Number of bed spaces (persons)	Intermediate - net internal areas square metres	Social rented - net internal area square metres
Flats
1b	2p	50	52.3
2b	3p	63	66
2b	4p	77.2	80.9
3b	5p	86.6	90.8
4b	6p	99	99
5b	7p	112	115.5
Maisonettes
2b	4p	79.3	83.1
3b	5p	89.8	94.1
4b	6p	100.8	105.6
5b	7p	117.1	122.7
Houses
2b	4p	83	86.9
3b	5p	94	98.5
4b	6p	101.9	106.7
5b	7p	120.2	126

P16 Designing out crime
Development must be designed with:
1. Windows that overlook places such as parks and streets, courtyards, parking areas and civic spaces to provide natural surveillance; and
2. Streets, pedestrian routes, footpaths and cycle paths that are easy to navigate with permeable, direct routes that provide good visibility and avoid sharp or blind corners, tunnels, and hidden alcoves; and
3. Clear and uniform signage that helps people move around, making the public realm and public transport safer and more attractive for people to use; and
4. Effective street lighting that illuminates the public realm, enabling natural surveillance and avoiding the creation of dark, shadowed areas; and
5. Clearly defined boundaries between public and private spaces that reduce the likelihood of anti-social behaviour by establishing ownership and responsibility; and
6. Security measures for buildings and places are proportionate to their use and function, considering the need to avoid creating places that are hostile or unwelcoming; and
7. Secured by Design principles.
P17 Tall buildings
1. The areas where we expect tall buildings are shown on the adopted Policies Map and on Figure 4. These are typically within our Major Town Centres, Opportunity Area Cores, Action Area Cores and the Central Activities Zone. Individual sites where taller buildings may be appropriate have been identified in the site allocations. Some of these site allocations have identified possible locations for tall buildings in Peckham and Camberwell town centres taking account of conservation areas and other heritage assets.
2. Tall buildings must:
  1. Be located at a point of landmark significance; and
  2. Have a height that is proportionate to the significance of the proposed location and the size of the site; and
  3. Make a positive contribution to the London skyline and landscape, taking into account the cumulative effect of existing tall buildings and emerging proposals for tall buildings; and
  4. Not cause a harmful impact on strategic views, as set out in the London View Management Framework, or to our Borough views; and
  5. Respond positively to local character and townscape; and
  6. Provide a functional public space that is appropriate to the height and size of the proposed building; and
3. Provide a new publicly accessible space at or near to the top of the building and communal facilities for users and residents where appropriate.The design of tall buildings will be required to:
  1. Be of exemplary architectural design and residential quality; and
  2. Conserve and enhance the significance of designated heritage assets and make a positive contributions to wider townscape character. Where proposals will affect the significance of a designated heritage asset (from its alteration or destruction, or from development within its setting) clear and convincing justification in the form of public benefits will be required; and
  3. Avoid harmful and uncomfortable environmental impacts including wind shear, overshadowing, and solar glare; and
  4. Maximise energy efficiency and prioritise the use of sustainable materials; and
  5. Have a positive relationship with the public realm, provide opportunities for new street trees, and design lower floors to successfully relate to and create a positive pedestrian experience; and provide widened footways and routes to accommodate increased footfall.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's tall building areas:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Turn on the 'Tall Buildings' map layer
P18 Efficient use of land
1. Development will be permitted that:
  1. Optimises land use; and
  2. Does not unreasonably compromise development potential or legitimate activities on neighbouring sites; and
  3. Provides adequate servicing facilities, circulation spaces and access to, from and through the site.
2. Development should be permitted for appropriate temporary ‘meanwhile uses’ where they deliver community benefits, do not harm amenity and do not compromise the future redevelopment of the site.
P19 Listed buildings and structures
1. Development relating to listed buildings structures and their settings will only be permitted if it conserves or enhances their special significance in relation to:
  1. The historic fabric, architectural style and features, curtilage, site layout, plan form and readability, and land use; and
  2. The contribution of the building to its setting or its place within a group; and
  3. Views that contribute positively to the significance of the building or structure or their setting; and
  4. The viable use of listed buildings and structures that is consistent with their on-going and long term
  5. conservation.
2. Any harm to the significance of the listed building or structure that results from a proposed development must be robustly justified.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's Listed buildings:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Conservation' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Listed building' layer that you want to see
P20 Conservation areas
1. Development relating to conservation areas will only be granted where it preserves or enhances the character or appearance of conservation areas and their settings, taking into account their significance, views into and out of the conservation area and positive characteristics identified in Conservation Area Appraisals and Conservation Area Management Plans.
2. The demolition of buildings or structures that make a positive contribution to the historic character and appearance of a conservation area will not generally be permitted. Any replacement buildings or structures must conserve and enhance the conservation area’s historic character and distinctiveness.
3. Any harm to the significance of the conservation area or its setting that results from a proposed development must be robustly justified.
4. Development relating to conservation areas will only be granted where it preserves or enhances the character or appearance of conservation areas and their settings, taking into account their significance, views into and out of the conservation area and positive characteristics identified in Conservation Area Appraisals and Conservation Area Management Plans.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's Conservation areas:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Conservation' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Conservation area' layer
P21 Conservation of the historic environment and natural heritage
Development must:
1. Conserve and enhance the significance of the following designated and non-designated heritage assets and their settings:
  1. Scheduled monuments; and
  2. Sites of archaeological interest; and
  3. Protected London squares; and
  4. Registered parks and gardens; and
  5. Trees within the curtilage of a listed building; and
  6. Trees that contribute to the historic character or appearance of conservation areas; and
  7. Trees that are subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO); and
  8. Ancient hedgerows; and
  9. Buildings and land with Article 4 (1) directions inside and outside conservation areas; and
  10. Unlisted buildings of townscape merit; and
  11. Undesignated heritage assets including Second World War Stretcher Fences; and
  12. Foreshore and river structures.
2. Enable the viable use of the heritage asset that is consistent with its on-going and long term conservation; and
3. Provide robust justification or any harm to the significance of the heritage asset that results from the development.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's heritage assets:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Conservation' map layer
3. Turn on the heritage asset type that you want to see
P22 Borough views
Development should:
1. Preserve and where possible enhance the borough views of significant landmarks and townscape; and
2. Ensure the viewing locations for each view are accessible and well managed; and
3. Enhance the composition of the panorama across the borough and central London as a whole.
View 1: The London panorama of St Paul’s Cathedral from One Tree Hill
1. Maintain the view of St Paul’s Cathedral from the viewing place on One Tree Hill and not exceed the threshold height of the view’s Landmark Viewing Corridor; and
2. Not compromise the sensitive Wider Assessment Area that is located either side of the Landmark Viewing Corridor to ensure the viewer’s ability to recognise and appreciate St Paul’s Cathedral and its setting is maintained. A canyon effect of the view of St Paul’s Cathedral must be avoided;
View 2: The linear view of St Paul’s Cathedral from Nunhead Cemetery
1. Maintain the view of St Paul’s Cathedral from the viewing place within Nunhead Cemetery and not exceed the threshold height of the view’s Landmark Viewing Corridor; and
2. Not compromise the sensitive Wider Assessment Area that is located either side of the Landmark Viewing Corridor to ensure the viewer’s ability to recognise and appreciate St Paul’s Cathedral and its setting is maintained. A canyon effect of the view of St Paul’s Cathedral must be avoided;
View 3: The linear view of St Paul’s Cathedral along Camberwell Road
1. Maintain the view of St Paul’s Cathedral from the viewing place on Camberwell Road and not exceed the threshold height of the view’s Landmark Viewing Corridor; and
2. Not compromise the sensitive Wider Assessment Area that is located either side of the Landmark Viewing Corridor to ensure the viewer’s ability to recognise and appreciate St Paul’s Cathedral and its setting is maintained. A canyon effect of the view of St Paul’s Cathedral must be avoided;
View 4: The river prospect of River Thames and its frontage, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral from Kings Stairs Gardens
1. Ensure that the River Thames and its frontage, and the key landmarks of Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral are maintained within the view;
View 5: The townscape view south from the centre of the Millennium Bridge
1. Ensure that the ability of the viewer to recognise and appreciate the strategic landmark of Tate Modern from the viewing location is maintained;
2. Annex 1 sets out the viewing locations and view geometry that relate to the borough views.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's Borough Views:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Conservation' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Borough View' layer that you want to see
P23 Archaeology
1. Development must conserve the archaeological resources commensurate to its significance; and
2. Development must preserve archaeological remains of national importance in situ and preserve archaeological remains of local importance in situ unless the public benefits of the development outweigh the loss of archaeological remains. Where archaeological remains cannot be preserved in situ the remains must be excavated, recorded, archived, published, interpreted and displayed through a detailed planned programme of works. There may also be a requirement for a programme of public engagement, in order that the results of significant archaeological discoveries are disseminated. The scale of this public engagement will be based upon on the significance and interest of the findings, but may involve site visits for the public or other means of on and off site viewing; and
3. Development must consider the archaeological interest and significance of sites that lie outside of an APA. Sites outside APAs will be assessed against the historic environment record for Southwark. Requirements will be secured by condition where necessary.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's Archaeological Priority Areas:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Conservation' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Archaeological Priority Areas'
P24 World heritage sites
1. Development will only be permitted when the significance of the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage Sites and their settings are sustained and enhanced. This should include views into, out of and across sites.
P25 River Thames
1. Development within the Thames Policy Area must:
  1. Establish or continue the River Thames Path along the water frontage; and
  2. Maintain the integrity and alignment of the riverbank and create new access points to the River Thames; and
  3. Maintain and enhance the existing facilities that support and increase the use and enjoyment of the river and the activities associated with the Thames in the Thames Policy Area, including:
    1. Access points to and alongside the river, including stairs, piers and the Thames Path;
    2. Docks, including protection against partial or complete infilling;
    3. Mooring facilities;
    4. Facilities for passenger, freight and tourist traffic;
    5. Sport and leisure facilities;
    6. Heritage assets on the foreshore and within the river.
2. Integrate successfully with the water space in use, appearance and physical impact; and
3. Provide landmarks that are of historical, cultural and social significance along the river, including orientation points and pleasing views without causing undue harm to the cohesiveness of the water’s edge; and
4. Successfully relate scale, materials, colour and richness of detail, not only to direct neighbours but also to buildings on the opposite bank and those seen in the same context with the river, or within borough or London Views Management Framework views. This should take into account how the river meanders and the impact this can have on how buildings may be seen together. New tall buildings should be set at least one block back from the river bank; and
5. Maintain, remediate and improve flood defence walls for developments adjacent to the River Thames. Development adjacent to defences and culverts should demonstrate that their development will not undermine the structural integrity or detrimentally impact upon its intended operation; and
6. Avoid unacceptable harm or impacts on navigation, biodiversity, heritage assets or the existing character of the Thames Policy Area if proposing new mooring facilities; and
7. Not extend developed land, build over the river, or result in a continuous line of moored craft; and
8. Consider the use of the River Thames as an alternative means of transport during construction.
P26 Local list
1. Development must take into account locally listed buildings and structures that positively contribute to local character and amenity.
2. The criteria for a building to be locally listed are:
  1. Age and rarity; and
  2. Aesthetic value and landmark status; and
  3. Group value; and
  4. Historic, evidential, communal and social values; and
  5. Archaeological interest; and
  6. Designed landscaping.
Where do we apply this policy?

Find out more about <Southwark's Local List>.

A great start in life

SP3 A great start in life
We will give all our young people a great start in life in a safe, stable and healthy environment where they have the opportunity to develop, make choices and feel in control of their lives and future. This will be achieved through:
1. Offering our young people and families, including those who are more vulnerable or have special education needs, the right support at the right time, from their early years through adolescence and into successful adult life; and
2. Delivering more childcare, school places and double the number of Southwark Scholarships; and
3. Delivering a top quality children’s playground in every local area; and
4. Providing free healthy school meals for primary schools and nurseries; and
5. Investing in more early support for families; and
6. Increasing library access; and
7. Finding new ways to guarantee care and early education to help parents; and
8. Encouraging developments where there can be more interaction between people of different ages, particularly elderly and young people; and:
9. Ensure our residents and schools benefit from the digital revolution including improving access to superfast broadband.
P27 Education places
1. Development of educational facilities will be permitted where proposals provide pre-school, school, higher and further education places to meet identified needs and where there are sports, arts, leisure, cultural or community facilities that are shared with local residents and all members of the community.
2. Development should not lead to the loss of existing educational facilities unless there is re-provision in an area of identified need or they are surplus to requirements as demonstrated by pupil or student projections.
3. Where additional school places for new residents are needed, new school places must be provided.
4. Development of school places must provide sufficient floor space for teaching, halls, dining, physical education, staff and administration activities, storage, toilets and personal care, kitchen facilities, circulation, plant and any non-school or support functions such as special needs facilities. Schools must receive adequate daylight and sunlight, provide high quality external areas that avoid sightlines from neighbouring homes, have good internal and external air quality and support safe, healthy travel by pupils.
P28 Access to employment and training
1. Development incorporating:
  1. 5,000sqm or more of gross new floorspace must provide training and jobs for local people in the construction stage; and
  2. 2,500sqm or more of gross new non-residential floorspace must provide training and jobs for local people in the final development; and
  3. 1,000sqm or more of gross new floorspace must allow local businesses to tender for the procurement of goods and services generated by the development both during and after construction.
2. In exceptional circumstances where jobs cannot be provided on site, a financial contribution will be required for construction employment and training.

A green and inclusive economy

SP4 A green and inclusive economy

We will work to make sure that Southwark has a strong, green and inclusive economy where all of our existing
and new residents, businesses and workers benefit. This will be achieved through:

Supporting a green new deal for Southwark that creates at least 1,000 new green jobs, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and generates a new wave of environmental innovation. Workplaces and town centres will be easily accessible by walking and cycling.
Delivering at least 460,000sqm of new office space between 2019 and 2036 (equating to around 35,500 jobs). Around 80% of new offices will be delivered in the Central Activities Zone. Additional offices will be delivered in the Canada Water and Old Kent Road Opportunity Areas and in town centres.
Delivering at least 90,000sqm additional employment floorspace between 2019 and 2036 outside the CAZ including industrial, distribution, hybrid and studio workspace.
Delivering at least 10% of all new employment floorspace as affordable workspace for start-ups and existing and new small and independent businesses in Southwark; and
Providing at least 58,000 new jobs between 2019 and 2036. The targets for the distribution of jobs are listed below:

Targets for the distribution of jobs
Opportunity Area	Number of jobs
Borough, Bankside and London Bridge Opportunity Area	10,000
Elephant and Castle Opportunity Area	10,000
Canada Water Opportunity Area	20,000
Old Kent Road Opportunity Area	10,000
Other town centres	8,000

Bringing more opportunities for people to find work, get into training and achieve their aspirations; and
Making Southwark a place where the town centres and high streets thrive and are a place to do business in the London and global economy, where business owners know this is the borough where their enterprises will grow and prosper; and
Ensuring the distinctive town and local centres will be places where shops, leisure, office and community uses are competitive and popular, providing customer choice for local communities; and
Increasing retail floorspace by 76,670 sqm between 2019 and 2036 (6,560sqm convenience retail, 42,130sqm comparison goods retail, 27,980sqm food and beverage). The targets for the distribution of the retail floorspace are:

Targets for the distribution of retail floorspace
Town Centre	Square metres (sqm) of retail floorspace
Elephant and Castle Major Town Centre	10,000
Peckham Major Town Centre	7,000
Canada Water Major Town Centre	40,000
CAZ and district and local town centres	19,670

Working with our residents to assist them to be and stay financially independent; and
As shown on the policies map, designating 32ha of Strategic Protected Industrial Land where industrial uses will be maintained and designating 20ha of Locally Significant Industrial Sites where industrial premises will be co-located with new homes; and
Working with local business and other partners to make sure our residents are equipped with the skills and knowledge to access the many exciting opportunities that being in Southwark brings.

P29 Strategic protected industrial land
1. On strategic protected industrial land (SPIL) as shown on the Policies Map:
  1. Only industrial uses (E(g)(ii), E(g)(iii), B2, B8, and sui generis industrial use classes) and uses ancillary to the industrial uses, will be permitted; and
  2. Development must retain, grow or intensify industrial uses including increasing the number of jobs.
  3. Industrial uses which fall within Use Class E(g)(ii) and (iii) will be secured, and where necessary retained through the implementation of conditions and/or planning obligations in accordance with the tests set out in national policy.
2. The area of SPIL which is host to the Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) will be retained as SPIL unless the criteria of policy P63 are fulfilled.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's Strategic protected industrial land:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Industrial land' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Strategic protected industrial land' layer
P30 Office and business development
1. In the Central Activities Zone, town centres, opportunity areas and individual development plots within site allocations where employment re-provision is required, development must:
  1. Retain or increase the amount of employment floorspace on site (Gross Internal Area (GIA) of E(g), B2, B8 class use or sui generis employment generating uses); and
  2. Promote the successful integration of homes and employment space in physical layout and servicing in areas that will accommodate mixed use development. This will include a range of employment spaces including freight, logistics, light industry, co-working, maker spaces and offices; and
  3. Provide a marketing strategy for the use and occupation of the employment space to be delivered to demonstrate how it will meet current market demand.
2. In exceptional circumstances the loss of employment floorspace may be accepted in the Central Activities Zone, town centres, opportunity areas and where specified in site allocations where the retention or uplift in employment floorspace on the site is not feasible. This must be demonstrated by a marketing exercise for two years immediately prior to any planning application. This should be for both its existing condition and as an opportunity for an improved employment use through redevelopment which shows there is no demand.
3. Development that results in a loss of employment floorspace anywhere in the borough must provide a financial contribution towards training and jobs for local people.
4. Employment uses required by this policy (Use Class E(g)) will be secured and where necessary, retained through the implementation of conditions and/or planning obligations in accordance with the tests set out in national policy.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view the Central Activities Zone:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Turn on the 'Central Activities Zone' map layer
P31 Affordable Workspace
1. Development must:
  1. Retain small and independent businesses (E(g) B class uses). Where existing small and independent businesses are at risk of displacement from a development there should be full consideration of the feasibility of providing affordable and suitable space for existing occupiers in the completed development. Replacement business space should be like for like in terms of floorspace or bespoke to suit the requirements of the business; or
  2. Explore the opportunities for long term management of employment space and the delivery of affordable workspace by workspace providers.
2. Developments proposing 500sqm GIA or more employment floorspace must:
  1. Deliver at least 10% of the proposed gross employment floorspace as affordable workspace on site at discount market rents; and
  2. Secure the affordable workspace for at least 30 years;
  3. Provide affordable workspace of a type and specification that meets current local demand; and
  4. Prioritise affordable workspace for existing small and independent businesses occupying the site that are at risk of displacement. Where this is not feasible, affordable workspace must be targeted for small and independent businesses from the local area with an identified need; and
  5. Collaborate with the council, local businesses, business associations relevant public sector stakeholders and workspace providers to identify the businesses that will be nominated for occupying affordable workspace.
3. If it is not feasible to provide affordable workspace on site, an in lieu payment will be required for off site affordable workspace. This will be calculated using the Affordable Workspace Calculator.
4. Affordable workspace will be secured, and where necessary retained as employment uses through the use of planning obligations/ conditions in accordance with the tests set out in national policy.
5. In exceptional circumstances affordable retail, affordable cultural uses, or public health services which provide a range of affordable access options for local residents, may be provided as an alternative to affordable workspace (employment uses). This will only be acceptable if there is a demonstrated need for the affordable use proposed and with a named occupier. If the alternative affordable use is no longer required in the future, the space should be made available for affordable workspace (employment uses) in accordance with the criteria above. The reprovision or uplift of employment floorspace must still be provided in the scheme overall.
P32 Small shops
1. Development must retain small shops where existing small shops are at risk of displacement from a development. There should be full consideration of the feasibility of providing affordable and suitable space
2. for existing occupiers in the completed development. Replacement shops should be like for like in terms of floorspace or bespoke to suit the requirements of the business, including provision of storage and servicing space. Developments proposing 2,500 sqm GIA or more of retail space shall provide at least 10% of this space as small shops.
3. Small shops (Use Class E(a) and F.2(a)) will be secured through the implementation of conditions and/or planning obligations which will restrict change of use within Use Class E.
P33 Business relocation
1. Where existing small or independent businesses or small shops may be displaced by development a business relocation strategy, written in consultation with affected businesses, must be provided. The business relocation strategy must set out viable relocation options.
2. All business relocation strategies must include:
  1. Existing amount of non-residential floorspace (GIA) separated by use class, including vacant units and yards. This should include any floorspace demolished; and
  2. Schedule of existing businesses operating on the site including business sector, estimated number of employees and lease terms; and
  3. Proposed levels of non-residential floorspace (GIA) and yard space, separated by use class, business sector and estimated number of employees; and
  4. Details of engagement with existing businesses on site regarding re-provision of premises or relocation options; and
  5. Details of engagement with the council, local agents, businesses, business associations and workspace providers to secure occupiers for new employment space.
3. Where existing businesses are accommodated in new development the strategy should include:
  1. Specific business requirements including servicing, fit out and ownership or lease terms; and
  2. Temporary relocation arrangements or scheme phasing to allow the continuation of the business during construction. Temporary relocation should be contained on site or as close to the original site as possible; and
  3. Options for temporary relocation should consider the cost and practical arrangements for businesses where multiple moves may not be feasible.
4. Where existing businesses are proposed to be relocated the strategy should include:
  1. Reasons why existing businesses cannot be located on site; and
  2. Details of relocation options explored with individual businesses and the assistance and support that will be provided. Statements from the businesses are required to show evidence that the relocation option is suitable for the viable continuation of the business; and
  3. Identification of alternative premises in Southwark. Where no suitable premises exist, premises should be identified in adjacent boroughs; and
  4. Statements from existing businesses should they wish to cease trading rather than relocate; and
  5. Collaboration with other landowners to establish whether suitable workspace for existing businesses could be accommodated in different phases of the development programmes.
P34 Railway arches
Development within railway arches must:
1. Provide commercial or community activities. No residential uses will be permitted and
2. Provide industrial uses in Strategic Protected Industrial Land; and
3. Promote the delivery of Low Line walking routes by providing active frontages and safe and accessible spaces for pedestrians.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's railway arches:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Transport' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Low Line and railway arches' map layer
P35 Town and local centres
1. Development must:
  1. Ensure main town centre uses including markets, community, civic, leisure and cultural uses are located in town centres and local centres; and
  2. Be of a scale and nature that is appropriate to the role and catchment of the centre; and
  3. Retain retail floorspace or replace retail floorspace with an alternative use that provides a service to the general public, and would not harm the vitality and viability of the centre; and
  4. Not harm the amenity of surrounding occupiers or result in a concentration of uses that harms the vitality, viability and economic growth of the centre; and
  5. Provide an active use at ground floor in locations with high footfall; and
  6. For large schemes for main town centre uses that are 1,000 sqm (gross GIA) or more provide free public toilets, public drinking fountains and public seating. Public toilets may be provided either on or off site and not reserved for customer use only.
2. On new development in the Central Activities Zone, Opportunity Areas, Action Area Cores, Major and District Town Centres, retail uses (Use Class E(a), (b), (c)) will be secured through the implementation of conditions and/or planning obligations which will restrict change of use within Use Class E.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's town and local centres:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Turn on the 'Town centres and shopping frontages' map layer
P36 Development outside town centres

Development providing main town centre uses outside town and local centres must comply with the sequential test. Large development proposals, over 1,000 sqm (gross) will require an impact assessment and demonstrate that they would not harm the vitality and viability of centres or planned investment in centres.
P37 Protected shopping frontages
In Protected Shopping Frontages, development must:
1. Provide active ground floor uses which provide a service to the general public, that would not harm the vitality and viability of the shopping frontage.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's protected shopping frontages:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Turn on the 'protected shopping frontages' map layer
P38 Shops outside protected shopping frontages, town and local centres
Development must not result in the loss of shops outside Protected Shopping Frontages, Town and Local Centres.
In exceptional circumstances a change may be permitted where:
1. There is no market demand for the shop use. This must be demonstrated by a marketing exercise for two years, immediately prior to any planning application, for both its existing condition and as an opportunity for an improved shop; and
2. Evidence is provided that there are alternative shops within a 400 metre walking distance.
P39 Shop fronts
Development affecting shop fronts and shop front signage must:
1. Ensure the proportion, scale, style, detailing, colour and materials make a positive contribution to the building and its context; and
2. Retain and refurbish existing traditional and historic shop fronts and features when located within heritage assets, conservation areas or the setting of heritage assets; and
3. Be adequately and appropriately lit for its context; and
4. Utilise internal security grilles and security solutions; and
5. Retain or provide a shop window if part of a change of use within town centres.
P40 Betting shops, pawnbrokers and pay day loan shops
Development of betting shops, pay loan shops and pawnbrokers must:
1. Be located within a protected shopping frontage; and
2. Not exceed more than 5% of the total number of betting shops, pay day loan shops and pawnbrokers within the protected shopping frontage; and
3. Be at least 10 premises away from other premises of the same use.
P41 Hotels and other visitor accommodation
1. Development for hotels and forms of visitor accommodation must ensure the design, scale, function, parking and servicing arrangements respond positively to local character and protect the amenity of the local community and visitors to the hotel.
2. A minimum of 10% of the total floorspace must be provided as ancillary facilities in hotel developments that incorporate a range of publicly accessible daytime uses and offer employment opportunities.
P42 Pubs
1. Pubs must be protected from development resulting in a change of use or loss of the pub. In exceptional circumstances, development proposals resulting in the loss of a pub will only be permitted where there is no market demand for the pub use. This needs to be demonstrated by a marketing exercise for two years, immediately prior to any planning application, for both its existing condition and as an opportunity for improved pub use at market rates.
2. Alterations leading to a loss of cellarage, other functional or ancillary space or changes to a pub that make it unviable will not be permitted.
3. Where a change of use is acceptable, development must retain the design, character and heritage value of the building where it makes a positive contribution to streetscape and local character.
4. The registration or nomination of a pub as an Asset of Community Value will be treated as a significant material consideration.
P43 Outdoor advertisements and signage
Advertisement Consent for outdoor advertisements and signage must:
1. Avoid unacceptable harm to public amenity. Advertisements and signage should be designed so that their size, scale, type and illumination are unobtrusive, taking into account site context and local character; and
2. Avoid harm to the significance of streetscape and heritage assets or their settings; and
3. Not compromise safety and security or obscure highway sightlines and allow free movement along the public highway by all users, including people with disabilities, especially the visually impaired; and
4. Not adversely impact on trees on or in close proximity to the proposed site, especially those protected by Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) or within conservation areas.
P44 Broadband and digital infrastructure
Major development must:
1. Enable the delivery of fibre to the premises (FTTP) broadband or equivalent technology for future occupants and users of the proposed development, with superfast speeds being the minimum offered; and
2. Provide FTTP, or equivalent, connections to existing, poorly serviced properties in the vicinity of the development where there is an identified need; and
3. Engage with UK mobile network operators (MNOs) and digital infrastructure providers regarding the installation of wireless broadband and telecommunications aerials.
Digital infrastructure development must:
1. Be designed and sited to avoid harmful impacts on public amenity or unacceptable street clutter in the public realm; and
2. Avoid harm to the significance of heritage assets or their settings and support local distinctiveness; and
3. Demonstrate an absence of alternative sites, including, but not only, the possibility of sharing of existing masts and sites; and
4. Provide self-certification to the effect that a mobile phone base station when operational will meet the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNRP) guidelines; and
5. Provide a statement for each site indicating its location, the height of the antenna, the frequency and modulation characteristics and details of power output and where a mobile phone base station is added to an external mast or site, confirmation that the cumulative exposure will not exceed the ICNRP guidelines.

Thriving neighbourhoods and tackling health inequalities

SP5 Thriving neighbourhoods and tackling health inequalities
We will maintain and improve the health and wellbeing of our residents, encouraging healthy lives by tackling the causes of ill health and inequalities. This will be achieved by:
1. Ensuring all council homes are warm, dry and safe; and
2. Building quality new homes to help people to live healthier lives; and
3. Working with residents and our partners to build resilient communities; and
4. Extending opportunities to all to maintain and improve their health and wellbeing; and
5. Enabling people to remain in their homes for longer and ensuring vulnerable residents can lead and enjoy independent lives, achieve their goals and have a great future in Southwark; and
6. Delivering a safer walking and cycling network to address the climate emergency; and
7. Increasing, protecting and improving green spaces; and
8. Improving access to healthcare, voluntary organisations and community health facilities; and
9. Introducing the concept of active design which, among other things, makes using the stairs an attractive alternative to using lifts and encourages walking and the use of bicycles for local trips; and
10. Reducing health inequalities by improving the economic wellbeing, physical and mental health of our communities including providing healthy food options, improving air quality, improving green spaces and creating healthy streets and low traffic neighbourhoods to enable our residents to get to everywhere they need to go without using a car.
P45 Healthy developments
1. Development must:
  1. Be easily accessible from the walking and cycling network; and
  2. Provide, or support opportunities for healthy activities; and
  3. Retain or re-provide existing health, community, sport and leisure facilities.
2. Development will be permitted where it provides new health, community, sport and leisure facilities.
3. In exceptional circumstances, health, community and leisure facilities can be replaced by another use where there are currently more facilities than needed. This must be demonstrated by a marketing exercise for two years, immediately prior to any planning application. This should be for both its existing condition and as an opportunity for an improved health, community or leisure space at market rates.
P46 Leisure, arts and culture
1. Development must:
  1. Retain or re-provide existing leisure, arts and cultural uses. Reprovision should be of the same, or be better than, the quantity and quality of existing uses; or
  2. In exceptional circumstances leisure, arts and cultural facilities can be replaced by another use where there are currently more facilities than needed. This must be demonstrated by a marketing exercise for two years, immediately prior to any planning application. This should be for both its existing condition and as an opportunity for an improved leisure, arts or cultural facility at market rates; and
  3. An Equalities Impact Assessment will be required for any proposed loss of community facilities in predominant use by protected characteristic communities as defined by the Equality Act 2010; and
  4. The registration or nomination of leisure, art and cultural uses as an Asset of Community Value will be treated as a significant material consideration.
2. Development will be permitted where:
  1. New leisure, arts and cultural uses are provided; and
  2. It delivers or supports the delivery of public art projects, independent museums and theatres; and
  3. New arts and cultural venues of strategic significance are proposed within the South Bank Cultural Quarter, Elephant and Castle Cultural Quarter, Old Kent Road and Canada Water Opportunity Area Cores and Peckham and Camberwell Creative Enterprise Zone.
P47 Community uses
1. Development must:
  1. Retain community facilities; or
  2. In exceptional circumstances, community facilities can be replaced by another use where they are surplus to requirements. This needs to be demonstrated by a marketing exercise for two years immediately prior to any planning application, for both its existing condition and as an opportunity for an improved community facility at market rates.
2. An Equalities Impact Assessment will be required for any proposed loss of community facilities in predominant use by protected characteristic communities as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
3. Development will be permitted where:
  1. New community facilities are provided that are accessible for all members of the community.
P48 Hot food takeaways
1. New hot food takeaways will only be permitted where:
  1. The number of hot food takeaway premises are not more than 5% of the total number of units in the protected shopping frontage; and
  2. The concentration of hot food takeaway premises would not be above 1 per 21 premises (10 on either side of the proposal); and
  3. The proposed location is further than 400 metres from any existing or proposed primary or secondary school’s boundary; and
  4. Grease traps are installed to prevent the build-up of food deposits in sewers and drains; and
  5. Within the takeaway, the kitchen extraction system is designed to control cooking odours, where the discharge stack is installed in accordance with the following hierarchy:
    1. Not less than one metre above the roof ridge of any building within 20 metres of the building where the commercial kitchen is located;
    2. Not less than one metre above the roof eaves or dormer window of the building where the commercial kitchen is located, supported by additional odour control measures;
    3. An exceptionally high level of odour control measure, where low level discharge should be avoided.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view the hot food takeaway secondary school exclusion zones:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Turn on the 'hot food takeaway secondary school exclusion zones' map layer
P49 Public transport
Development must:
1. Demonstrate that the public transport network has sufficient capacity to support any increase in the number of journeys by the users of the development, taking into account the cumulative impact of local existing and permitted development; and
2. Improve accessibility to public transport by creating and improving walking and cycling connections to public transport stops or stations; and
3. Improve, maintain and enhance public transport services.
P50 Highways impacts
Development must:
1. Minimise the demand for private car journeys; and
2. Demonstrate that the road network has sufficient capacity to support any increase in the number of the journeys by the users of the development, taking into account the cumulative impact of adjoining or nearby development; and
3. Ensure safe and efficient operation of the local road network, the bus network and the Transport for London Road Network; and
4. Ensure safe and efficient delivery and servicing that minimises the number of motor vehicle journeys; and
5. Incorporate delivery and servicing within major development sites and not on the public highway; and
6. Demonstrate how the construction phase of the development that needs to use the public highway can be safely accomplished, and how vehicular movements will be minimised and strictly controlled to reduce danger to vulnerable road users.
P51 Walking
Development must:
1. Enhance the borough’s walking networks by providing footways, routes and public realm that enable access through development sites and adjoining areas; and
2. Ensure routes and access are safe and designed to be inclusive and meet the needs of all pedestrians, with particular emphasis on disabled people and the mobility impaired. Street furniture must be located to allow the movement of pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters; and
3. Ensure that disruption of walking routes during construction is minimised and any diversions are convenient and clearly signposted; and
4. Enhance strategic networks such as the Green Chain walking route, the Low Line and support new and existing green links across the borough and sub-regionally.
P52 Low Line routes
1. Development must:
  1. Support the implementation of ‘Low Line’ routes; and
  2. Not hinder or obstruct the implementation of ‘Low Line’ routes.
2. Low Line routes should utilise one or both sides of the railway arches, as well as new routes through arches.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view the Low Line routes:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Transport' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Low Line and Railway Arches' map layer

P53 Cycling

Development must:

Ensure the delivery of the Southwark Spine cycle route and our wider cycling route network. All sites on or adjacent to the network must support and integrate into the network; and
Provide cycle parking for building users and visitors in accordance with Tables 9 and 10; and
Provide cycle parking that is secure, weatherproof, conveniently located, well lit and accessible; and
Provide cycle parking that includes an adequate element of parking suitable for accessible bicycles and tricycles; and
For commercial uses, provide associated showers and changing facilities that are proportionate to the number of cycle parking spaces provided; and
Contribute toward the provision of cycle hire schemes and docking stations. Financial contributions will be required from major developments that are commensurate to the size and scale of the proposal. This may also include providing space within the development for the expansion of the cycle hire scheme; and
Provide a free two year cycle hire fob per dwelling where a docking station is located within 400m of the proposed development.

Table 9: Residential cycle parking standards
Zone of accessibility to public transport	Residential cycle parking provision (minimum)
PTAL 6a, 6b and 5 areas	1 space per bedroom plus one space per dwelling. 1 visitor space per 10 units.
PTAL 3 and 4 areas	1 space per one-bedroom dwellings, 2 spaces per two or more bedroom dwellings. 1 visitor space per 10 units.
PTAL 1 and 2 (Excluding Suburban South)	1 space per one-bedroom dwellings, 2 spaces per two or more bedroom dwellings. 1 visitor space per 10 units.
PTAL 1 and 2 (Suburban South)	1 space per one-bedroom dwellings, 2 spaces per two or more bedroom dwellings. 1 visitor space per 10 units.
Aylesbury Action Area	1 space per one-bedroom dwellings, 2 spaces per two or more bedroom dwellings. 1 visitor space per 10 units.
Old Kent Road Opportunity Area PTAL 1 to 4 Canada Water core/town centre	1 space per one-bedroom dwellings, 2 spaces per two or more bedroom dwellings. 1 visitor space per 10 units.

Table 10: Minimum cycle parking standards for non residential uses
Land Use	Cycle parking standards minimum: Long Stay	Cycle parking standards minimum: Visitor/ short stay
Food retail	1 space per 175 m2 GEA. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 20 m2 GEA for first 750 m2 and 1 space per 150 m2 GEA thereafter. Minimum of 2 visitor spaces.
Non-food retail	1 space per 100 m2 GIA for first 1,000 m2 and 1 space per 1,000 m2 GIA thereafter. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 60 m2 GEA for first 1,000 m2 and 1 space per 500 m2 thereafter. Minimum of 1 visitor space.
Financial and professional services, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishment and hot food takeaways	1 space per 175 m2 GEA. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 20 m2 GEA. Minimum of 2 visitor spaces.
Offices	1 space per 45 m2 GIA. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 250 m2 GIA. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Light industrial	1 space per 250 m2 GEA. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 250 m2 GIA. Minimum of 2 spaces.
General industrial and warehousing	1 space per 500 m2 GEA. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 500 m2 GIA. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Hotels	1 space per 20 bedrooms. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 50 bedrooms. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Hospitals, care homes / secure accommodation	1 space per 5 staff. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 30 staff or 1 space per 20 bedrooms for care homes and secure accommodation. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Sui generis Student accommodation	1 space per bed. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 10 beds. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Nurseries / schools (all)	1 space per 8 staff and 1 space per 8 students. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 8 FTE staff plus 1 space per 8 students. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Universities and colleges	1 space per 4 staff and 1 space per 3 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) students.	1 space per 7 FTE. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Health centres, including dentists	1 space per 5 staff. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 3 staff. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Other Class E(e-f) and F1 uses	1 space per 8 staff. Minimum of 2 spaces.	10 space per 100 m2 GIA. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Sports (sports hall, swimming pool, gym, etc.)	1 space per 8 staff. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 100 m2 GiA. Minimum of 2 spaces.
Other assembly and leisure uses (cinema, bingo, etc.)	1 space per 8 staff. Minimum of 2 spaces.	1 space per 30 seats. Minimum of 2 spaces.

Where do we apply this policy?

To view the Low Line route:

Open Southwark Maps
Open the 'Transport' map layer
Turn on the 'Southwark Cycling Spine Network' and 'Existing Cycle Networks' map layers

P54 Car Parking

Development must:
1. Adhere to the residential car parking standards in Table 11; and
2. Provide all car parking spaces within the development site and not on the public highway; and
3. Provide electric vehicle charging points (EVCP) where on site parking is permitted; and
4. Provide a minimum of three years free membership, per eligible adult who is the primary occupier of the development, to a car club if a car club bay is located within 850m of the development; and / or contribute towards the provision of new car club bays proportionate to the size and scale of the development if it creates 80 units or more; and
5. Ensure that retail or leisure car parking within town centres is shared with public parking and is not reserved for customers of a particular development; and
6. Ensure off-street town centre car parking follows the requirements as set out in Table 12, which:
  1. Provides alternative access to the use of a car by providing the required amount of car club bays parking spaces within the site.
  2. Includes maximum stay restrictions; and
  3. Supports the rapid turnover of spaces; and
  4. Is appropriately located and sized to support the vitality of the town centre and ensures the use of the site is optimised; and
Development within existing or planned Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) will not be eligible for on street resident and business car-parking permits; and
Where off-street car parking spaces are proposed/permitted, the number of spaces provided should be determined by considering:
1. The anticipated demand for the parking spaces and tenure of the development; and
2. The quality and accessibility of the local public transport network and the access to local amenities.

Table 11: Residential car parking standards
Zone of accessibility to public transport	Residential car parking provision (maximum)
PTAL 6a, 6b and 5 and 4 areas	Zero maximum spaces per home. On street permits will not be available for residents and businesses.
PTAL 3	0.25 maximum spaces per home. On street permits will not be available for residents and businesses for new developments in controlled parking zones.
PTAL 2	0.5 maximum spaces per home.
PTAL 1	0.75 maximum spaces per home.
Aylesbury Action Area	0.25 maximum spaces per home for the entire site redevelopment. Some sites may provide up to 0.4 maximum spaces per home where this is demonstrated to be required to enable rehousing of existing residents.
Old Kent Road Opportunity Area	Zero maximum spaces per home.
Canada Water core/town centre	Zero maximum spaces per home.

Table 12: Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) ratings
Use Class (GIA)	PTAL rating 6-5	PTAL rating 4	PTAL rating 3
Retail	Car free	up to 1 space per 75sqmup to 1 space per 75sqmup to 1 space per 75sqm
Hotel and leisure, medical and health facilities	Limited to operational needs, disabled persons parking and parking is required for taxis, coaches and deliveries or servicing		Case by case basis
Offices	Car free
Workspaces (other), education, transport car parks, religious buildings and crematoria	Parking dependent on operational needs
Retail, recreation, hotels and leisure, medical and health facilities disabled persons parking standards	At least 1 on or off street parking bay (as appropriate).		Designated bays: 6% of total Enlarged bays: 4% of total
Offices, workspaces (other), education, transport car parks disabled persons parking standards	At least 1 on or off street parking bay (as appropriate) or 5% designated bays of total provision and 5% enlarged bays of total provision
Religious buildings and crematoria disabled persons parking standards	A minimum of 2 spaces or 6%, whichever is greater, designated bays of total provision and 4% enlarged bays of total provision

P55 Parking standards for disabled people and the physically impaired
1. Development must:
  1. Provide accessible car parking spaces up to a maximum of one car parking space per wheelchair accessible unit. The number of spaces provided may be determined by considering:
    1. The anticipated demand for the parking space and tenure of the development; and
    2. The quality and accessibility of the local public transport network and the access to local amenities.
2. Ensure that car parking spaces that are provided for disabled people and the physically impaired:
  1. Are located within the development and in close proximity to the nearest entrance or lift core; and
  2. Allow sufficient space to access the vehicle from both sides and at the rear of the vehicle; and
  3. Have entrance ramps that are the correct gradient to accommodate higher vehicles when parking is underground; and
  4. Enable easy manoeuvrability into and out of the space provided; and
  5. Remain designated for people with disabilities or mobility impairments in perpetuity. Any spaces that remain unused must not be returned to the general car parking pool.

Climate Emergency

SP6 Climate Emergency
We will lead the way in providing spaces for people to connect with nature, making people feel safe, creating cleaner streets, increasing recycling, reducing landfill waste, and reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions to address the Climate Emergency. This will be achieved through:
1. Protecting, improving and enhancing our environment through making new and existing buildings as energy efficient as possible; and
2. Making Southwark a place where walking, cycling and public transport are the first choice of travel as they are convenient, safe and attractive; and
3. Protecting and improving our network of open spaces, waterways, trees and biodiverse habitats and green corridors that make places open and attractive and provide important sport, leisure and food growing opportunities; and
4. Improving our natural environment through the use of urban greening to reduce flood risk and improve air quality; and
5. Working with local people to deliver the very best so that the borough is clean, green and safe.
P56 Protection of amenity
1. Development should not be permitted when it causes an unacceptable loss of amenity to present or future occupiers or users. Amenity considerations that will be taken into account include:
  1. The privacy and outlook of occupiers of both existing and proposed homes
  2. Actual or sense of overlooking or enclosure
  3. Impacts of smell, noise, vibration, lighting or other nuisances
  4. Daylight, sunlight, and impacts from wind and on microclimate
  5. Residential layout, context and design
P57 Open Space
1. Development will not be permitted on Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) or Borough Open Land (BOL). In exceptional circumstances development may be permitted on MOL or BOL when:
  1. It consists of ancillary facilities that positively contribute to the setting, accessibility and quality of the open space and if it does not affect its openness or detract from its character. Ancillary facilities on MOL must be essential for outdoor sport or recreation, cemeteries or for other uses of land which preserve the openness of MOL and do not conflict with its MOL function; or
  2. It consists of the extension or alteration of an existing building providing that it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building; or
  3. It consists of the replacement of an existing building, provided that the new building is no larger than the building it replaces.
2. Development will not be permitted on Other Open Space (OOS). In exceptional circumstances development may be permitted if it consists of replacement OOS of equivalent or greater size or substantially better quality can be secured on site or nearby before development commences.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's open spaces:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Open Spaces' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Metropolitan Open Land' and 'Borough Open Land' map layers
P58 Open water space
1. Development within designated Open Water Space will only be permitted when it consists of ancillary facilities that positively contribute to the setting, accessibility and quality of the open space and they do not affect its openness or detract from its character. This includes berths, residential, commercial and visitor mooring.
2. Development that affects designated open water spaces must ensure that all safety and navigational impacts are minimised.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's open water spaces:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Open the 'Open Spaces' map layer
3. Turn on the 'Open Water Space' map layer
P59 Green infrastructure
1. Major development must:
  1. Provide green infrastructure with arrangements in place for long term stewardship and maintenance funding.
2. Major development that is referable to the Mayor of London must:
  1. Provide new publically accessible open space and green links.
3. Green infrastructure should be designed to:
  1. Provide multiple benefits for the health of people and wildlife; and;
  2. Integrate with the wider green infrastructure network and townscape / landscape, increasing access for people and habitat connectivity; and
  3. Be adaptable to climate change and allow species migration while supporting native and priority species; and
  4. Extend and upgrade the walking and cycling networks between spaces to promote a sense of place and ownership for all.
P60 Biodiversity
1. Development must contribute to net gains in biodiversity through:
  1. Enhancing the nature conservation value of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), designated ancient woodland, populations of protected species and priority habitats/species identified in the United Kingdom, London or identified and monitored in the latest adopted Southwark Nature Action Plan; and
  2. Protecting and avoiding damage to SINCs, LNRs, populations of protected species and priority habitats/ species; and
  3. Including features such as green and brown roofs, green walls, soft landscaping, nest boxes, habitat restoration and expansion, improved green links and buffering of existing habitats.
2. Any shortfall in net gains in biodiversity must be secured off site through planning obligations or as a financial contribution.
P61 Trees
1. Development will be permitted if trees are planted as part of landscaping and public realm schemes, commensurate to the scale and type of development, and the character of the neighbourhood.
2. Development must retain and protect significant existing trees including:
  1. Trees designated with Tree Protection Orders (TPOs); and
  2. Trees that have a high amenity value; and
  3. Trees within Conservation Areas or the setting or curtilage of listed buildings; and
  4. Veteran, ancient and notable trees; and
3. Development must retain and enhance the borough’s trees and canopy cover; and
4. Where trees are removed to facilitate development, they should be replaced by new trees which result in no net loss of amenity, taking into account canopy cover as measured by stem girth; either
  1. Within the development whereby valuation may be calculated using the Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees (CAVAT) methodology or other assessment; or
  2. If this is not possible, outside the development. In this case, a financial contribution must be provided to improve borough tree planting located according to ‘right tree right place’ principles. The financial contribution will include ongoing maintenance costs where trees are planted in the public realm.
5. Tree planting should be adaptable to climate change while supporting native species. The selection and position of trees should improve air quality and they should have a long life with and high biodiversity and amenity value.
6. Retained trees must be protected during the construction process in line with British Standard BS5837.
7. In exceptional circumstances, removal of trees protected by TPO or conservation area status will be permitted where sufficient evidence has been provided to justify their loss. Replacement planting will be expected where removal is agreed. The replacement of TPO trees must take into account the loss of canopy cover as measured by stem girth and biodiversity value.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's Tree Protection Order zones and trees with a Tree Protection Order:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Turn on the 'TPO Zones and Trees' map layer
P62 Reducing waste
1. Development must:
  1. Demonstrate how the following waste management hierarchy will be applied during construction:
    1. Avoid creating waste; then
    2. Reduce the amount of waste produced; then
    3. Prepare waste materials for re-use; then
    4. Recycle and compost waste materials; then
    5. Recover energy from waste materials; then
    6. Dispose waste materials in landfill; and
2. Provide adequate recycling, composting and waste disposal, collection and storage facilities on site; or
3. Provide a suitable off site waste management strategy that does not adversely impact amenity, access or the environment where on site waste management provision is not possible.
4. Major referable development should submit a Circular Economy Statement.
P63 Land for waste management
1. The Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) will be protected for waste management purposes unless:
  1. The site is surplus to requirements; or
  2. Another facility is provided that meets the same throughput as the existing site.
2. New and extended waste management facilities should be permitted where:
  1. They are in a suitable location which does not cause unacceptable harm to residential amenity, the environment or transport network; and
  2. They are planned and designed according to the following principles of sustainable waste management:
    1. The waste management hierarchy as prescribed in P62 (1); and
    2. The proximity principle of managing waste as close to the source as is practicable; and
    3. The ‘circular economy’ principles to provide social, economic and environmental benefits; and
    4. Facilities are sited in close proximity to potential heat consumers where any facilities will provide low carbon energy recovery which produces heat.
P64 Contaminated land and hazardous substances
1. Development that has an adverse impact on the environment will not be permitted.
2. Development will be permitted when it:
  1. Provides for safe storage, transportation or usage of hazardous substances on a site; and
  2. Mitigates any contaminated land within the development site and land outside of, but related to, the development site.
P65 Improving air quality
1. Development must:
  1. Achieve or exceed air quality neutral standards; and
  2. Address the impacts of poor air quality on building occupiers and public realm users by reducing exposure to and mitigating the effects of poor air quality. This must be achieved through design solutions that include:
    1. Orientation and layout of buildings, taking into account vulnerable building occupiers, and public realm and amenity space users; and
    2. Ventilation systems; and
    3. Urban greening appropriate for providing air quality benefits proportionate to the scale of the development; and
2. Any shortfall in air quality standards on site must be secured off site through planning obligations or as a financial contribution.
P66 Reducing noise pollution and enhancing soundscapes
1. Development must:
  1. Avoid significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life; and
  2. Mitigate any adverse impacts caused by noise on health and quality of life; and
  3. Mitigate and manage noise by separating noise sensitive developments from major noise sources by distance, screening or internal layout, in preference to sound insulation.
2. Major development adjacent to, or within:
  1. Designated open space; and
  2. Designated open water space; and
  3. Hard landscaped civic spaces with public amenity value; and
  4. Street markets,
should be designed to protect and enhance positive aspects of the acoustic environment. New spaces proposed as part of development should also assess the potential to enhance a place’s character and identity through the acoustic environment and positive public soundscape.
1. Major development will be required to demonstrate how the noise pollution impacts created during the construction process will be reduced, mitigated and managed appropriately to minimise harm to present occupiers of the site and adjoining neighbours.
P67 Reducing water use
Development should reduce water use by:
1. Ensuring that residential development has a ‘safe to drink’ water use of no more than 105 litres per person per day, excluding an allowance of 5 litres or less per person per day for external water use; and
2. Incorporating measures to reduce the demand for mains water treated to drinking standard and enable the use of grey water and/or rainwater for non-drinking uses; and
3. Major development should assess the need for improvements to water supply infrastructure in discussion with water utility companies.
P68 Reducing flood risk
1. Development must not increase flood risk on or off site, by ensuring that:
  1. It is designed to be safe and resilient to flooding; and
  2. Finished floor levels are set no lower than 300mm above the predicted maximum water level where they are located within an area at risk of flooding; and
  3. Major development reduces surface water run-off to greenfield run-off rates. This must be through the application of water sensitive urban design and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), in accordance with the following drainage hierarchy:
    1. Store rainwater for later use; then
    2. Use infiltration techniques; then
    3. Attenuate rainwater in ponds or open water features for gradual release; then
    4. Discharge rainwater direct to a watercourse; then
    5. Discharge rainwater to a surface water sewer/drain; then
    6. Discharge rainwater to the combined sewer; and
    7. Hard surfacing of any gardens is permeable.
2. Development located on sites on or adjacent to the River Thames frontage should be set back from the River defence wall by 10m. This space should be designed and delivered for dual purposes by incorporating the required flood defence measures and providing an enhanced public amenity and environmental benefit.
Where do we apply this policy?

To view Southwark's Flood Zones and areas with surface water flood risk:
1. Open Southwark Maps
2. Turn on the 'Flooding' map layer
P69 Sustainability standards
1. Development must:
  1. Achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ for non-residential development and non self-contained residential development over 500sqm; and
  2. Achieve BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ in domestic refurbishment for conversion, extension and change of use of residential floorspace over 500sqm; and
  3. Achieve BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ in non-domestic refurbishment for conversion, extension and change of use of non-residential floorspace over 500sqm; and
  4. Reduce the risk of overheating, taking into account climate change predictions over the life time of the building, in accordance with prioritised measures set out in the following cooling hierarchy:
    1. Reduce the amount of heat entering a building through the orientation, shading, albedo, fenestration, insulation and green roofs and walls; then
    2. Minimise internal heat generation through energy efficient design; then
    3. Manage the heat within the building through exposed internal thermal mass and high ceilings; then
    4. Passive ventilation; then
    5. Mechanical ventilation; then
    6. Active cooling systems (ensuring they are the lowest carbon options).
P70 Energy
All development

Energy Hierarchy
1. Development must minimise carbon emissions on site in accordance with the following energy hierarchy:
2. Be lean (energy efficient design and construction); then
3. Be clean (low carbon energy supply); then
4. Be green (on site renewable energy generation and storage).
Major development
1. Development must reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions and minimise both annual and peak energy demand. This must be in accordance with the following energy hierarchy:
  1. Be lean (energy efficient design and construction); then
  2. Be clean (low carbon energy supply); then
  3. Be green (on site renewable energy generation and storage); then
  4. Be seen (monitor, verify and report on energy performance); then
  5. Offset residual carbon emissions to reach zero carbon target.
2. Major development must be net zero-carbon.
3. Major residential development must reduce carbon emissions on site (100% on 2013 Building Regulations). In exceptional circumstances, any shortfall must be secured off site through planning obligations or as a financial contribution.
4. Major non-residential development must reduce carbon emissions on site by a minimum of 40% on 2013 Buildings Regulations*. Any shortfall must be secured off site through planning obligations or as a financial contribution.
5. Development proposals referable to the Mayor must calculate whole life cycle carbon emissions through a nationally recognised assessment and demonstrate actions taken to reduce life cycle carbon emissions.
Decentralised energy
1. Major development must be designed to incorporate decentralised energy in accordance with the following hierarchy:
  1. Connect to an existing or planned decentralised energy network; then
  2. Be future-proofed to connect to a planned decentralised energy network; or
  3. Implement a site-wide low carbon communal heating system; and
  4. Explore and evaluate the potential to oversize the communal heating system for connection and supply to adjacent sites and, where feasible be implemented.
*Building Regulations 2013. If these are updated, the policy threshold will be reviewed.

Part 2How the Southwark Plan impacts you Part 4How and when was the Southwark Plan adopted?

Page last updated: 18 July 2024

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Southwark Plan 2022

How we use the Southwark Plan to assess planning applications

How to use these policies

Homes for all

Percentage

Viability

Where do we apply this policy?

Southwark Together

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

A great start in life

A green and inclusive economy

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Thriving neighbourhoods and tackling health inequalities

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Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Climate Emergency

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Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

Where do we apply this policy?

All development

Energy Hierarchy

Major development

Decentralised energy

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