Planning application
Why is the public inquiry taking place?
Lambeth refused the applications under delegated powers on 18 June 2024. The applicant has appealed this decision. Due to the public interest and the reasons for refusal, a public inquiry will take place to determine whether the appeal should be allowed (i.e. the planning application and listed building consent approved).
The public inquiry will start at 10am on 12 August 2025. The inquiry is expected to run for up to 5 days.
What is the Planning Inspectorate’s role?
Planning appeals are managed and determined by the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate is an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Following the inquiry the decision is expected to be issued by the Planning Inspectorate on or before 26 September 2025. A copy of the decision will be kept on the local planning authority’s statutory register.
There is a strict process and timeframe for conducting public inquiries.
What is the council’s role in the proceedings?
The council is a main party in the appeal and will present evidence to the inquiry.
What is the council’s position?
On 18 June 2024, LBL refused the full planning application (20/01200/FUL) for the following reasons:
- The proposed development would result in the loss of 1,816sqm of outdoor space that is both open space and communal amenity space. The loss of communal amenity space would impact on residents' enjoyment and use of the site and is a material consideration that weighs against the application. The loss of open space is contrary to Policy EN1 A of the Lambeth Local Plan 2021.
- The design of the proposed vehicular access, parking and services, which features shared surfaces, does not relate well with the existing users of the site and would result in an unacceptable impact on the amenity and safety of the ground floor residential flats, through allowing vehicles to travel directly outside the windows of these flats adversely impacting the amenity of occupants of the flats through noise and disturbance, pollution, and potential damage to the buildings contrary to Policies Q2 and Q7 of the Lambeth Local Plan 2021.
- The proposed development would result in less than substantial harm to the significance of the listed buildings, resulting from the roof top extensions, contrary to policies Q20 of the LLP 2021 and HC1 of the LP 2021.
On 18 June 2024, LBL refused the listed building consent (20/01201/LB) for the following reasons:
- The proposed development would result in less than substantial harm to the significance of the listed buildings, resulting from the roof top extensions, contrary to policies Q20 of the LLP 2021 and HC1 of the LP 2021. In the absence of the associated development proposed in planning application reference 20/01200/FUL it would not be possible to demonstrate that substantial public benefits would arise from associated development to outweigh the harm to the heritage asset. Consequently, the proposals would fail to meet the aims of the NPPF (2023), Policy HC1 of the London Plan (2021), and Policy Q20 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2021).
The council will give evidence to defend these reasons for refusing the application at the public inquiry.
What is a Rule 6 Party and what is their role?
Rule 6 status under The Town and Country Planning (Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2000 has been granted to the Dorchester Court Matters, and they will therefore have an active part in the inquiry as one of the main parties alongside the council and the applicant.