Development control

This is the largest section of the planning service, and handles around 3,000 individual planning applications each year.

Development control deals with processing planning applications in Lambeth, taking into account borough policies and briefs, expert advice (from conservation and design officers, transport planners, etc.), government guidance and the individual merits of each scheme, in order to control development in the public interest.

Once a planning application has been submitted and validated, it is allocated - according to what the application is for and the location in the borough of the proposed works - to a development control case officer for processing.

Development control is divided into the following teams:

North team

The north team handle a variety of planning applications covering the area of Lambeth from Acre Lane/Coldharbour Lane up to the river.

South team

The south team handle a variety of planning applications covering the area of Lambeth from Acre Lane/Coldharbour Lane to the Crystal Palace roundabout and across to Streatham Vale.

Fast track team

The fast track team handle a range of householder/telecommunications applications and small scale commercial developments across the entire borough.

Enforcement and appeals

The enforcement and appeals team work closely with building control dealing with issues relating to breaches of planning permission.

The Development Control case officer assigned to your application will be your point of contact within the planning service and will be able to answer any queries you may have. Their contact details will be sent to you in an acknowledgement letter so that you can contact them directly.

For more information about the application process, please see the frequently asked questions page.

For advice and contact details, please see the Town Planning Advice Centre page.