Residential development standards

The Residential Development Standards Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides detailed guidance on:

• standards for new residential development
• standards for conversions of existing houses into flats
• residential extensions
• roof extensions.

The Residential Development Standards SPD was adopted by the Council on 1 August 2006.

Important note

Since the Residential Standards SPD was adopted by the Council a number of the policies from the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) on which the SPD is based no longer apply.

The 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act requires the Council to replace the UDP with new Development Plan Documents which form part of the Council’s emerging Local Development Framework. The Act saved the UDP policies for a period of three years. This period expired on 27 September 2007.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has issued a Direction to Lewisham that specifies which policies in the UDP can continue to be saved (and therefore used) as part of the development plan. Only those policies that have been specified as part of the direction now form part of the UDP and all other UDP policies cease to be relevant for development control purpose.

For the Residential Standards SPD this means that the following UDP policies listed in Section 8 of the SPD have been deleted and can no longer be used to assess a planning application.

• URB 7 Access to Buildings for People with Disabilities
• ENV.PRO 19 Energy Efficiency
• ENV.PRO 20 Renewable Energy
• HSG 13 Provision of Affordable Housing
• HSG 16 Density
• HSG 17 Sustainable Living Areas
• HSG 19 Houses in Multiple Occupation.

You are advised to refer to the London Plan for relevant policies.

The following information for the Residential Standards SPD should also be noted.

Section 2.5 Flood risk and sustainable drainage

Guidance on preparing a Flood Risk Assessment in accordance with the Government’s Planning Policy Statement 25 Development and Flood Risk, has been prepared by the Council. You are advised to contact the Council in the first instance to determine if this will be a requirement for your application.

Sections 2.8 Density

The density policy from the London Plan now applies to Lewisham. The UDP density policy and Sustainable Living Areas have been deleted and Section 2.8 of the SPD can no longer be used.

Section 9 Definitions and Glossary

Calculation of site areas - This definition no longer applies as the Council’s density policy has been deleted. Applicants will need to refer to the London Plan.

Appendix 1: Wheelchair Housing

For updated advice applicants are referred to the Greater London Authority’s Best Practice Guidance - Wheelchair Accessible Housing, September 2007.