The Planning Committee (Major Applications) A of Southwark Council convened on 22 July 2025, to discuss several key development projects. A primary focus was the proposal to close Charlotte Sharman Primary School, with the committee ultimately approving the recommendations put forth. The committee also addressed development management, including applications concerning New City Court, Timber Square, and Chambers Wharf.

Consideration of proposal to close Charlotte Sharman Primary School

The Cabinet approved recommendations following representations from a statutory consultation regarding the proposed closure of Charlotte Sharman Primary School.

New City Court, 4-26 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RS

The committee considered applications 24/AP/3803 and 24/AP/3804, concerning New City Court, located at 4-26 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RS. The proposals included:

• Redevelopment of the existing 1980s office building, involving partial demolition and the construction of side and upward extensions to create a 10-storey office building with plant, balconies, and roof terraces.
• Redevelopment of Keats House (nos. 24-26 St Thomas Street), retaining the historic frontage and adding a roof extension for office space.
• Restoration and refurbishment of the listed Georgian terrace (nos. 4-16 St Thomas Street) to create level front entrances, internal alterations, and a new glazed roof for the rear courtyard.
• Associated public realm and highway works to St Thomas Street and King's Head Yard, cycle parking, and ancillary works.
• Listed building consent for the restoration, rebuilding, and refurbishment of the listed terraces for office use (nos. 4-16 St Thomas Street).

The project aims to deliver at least 58,000 jobs by 2036 and provide at least 460,000sqm of new office space within the Central Activities Zone (CAZ) and in town centres. The site is within the CAZ, London Bridge, Borough and Bankside Opportunity Area and London Bridge town centre.

Responses were received from various organisations, including Guy's and St Thomas Foundation, Southwark Cathedral, Team London Bridge, Historic England, the Georgian Group, and the Conservation Area Advisory Group.

The Director of Planning and Growth was authorised to make minor modifications to the proposed conditions arising out of detailed negotiations, which may include the variation and addition of the conditions as drafted.

Timber Square (Phase 2), 63 Ewer Street, SE1 0NR

The committee reviewed application 25/AP/0524 for Timber Square (Phase 2), located at 63 Ewer Street, SE1 0NR. The proposal included:

• Partial demolition of the viaduct structure.
• Remodelling, refurbishment, and change of use of existing arches within the viaduct structure to flexible office, retail, gymnasium, and restaurant uses (Class E) and flexible cultural, drinking establishment, live music venue, nightclub, cinema, and theatre uses (Sui Generis¹).
• Construction of two buildings (ground plus-12 storey plus plant and ground plus 15-storey plus plant) for flexible office and indoor sport and recreation facilities (Class E).
• Associated landscaping, new public realm, creation of new entrances and frontages, cycle parking, highways works, plant and equipment, and all other associated works.

The Southwark Plans strategic target is to deliver at least 58,000 jobs over the plan period to 2036 and provide at least 460,000sqm of new office within the Central Activities Zone (CAZ) and in town centres. This site is within the CAZ, London Bridge, Borough and Bankside Opportunity Area and London Bridge town centre.

The Director of Planning and Growth was authorised under delegated authority to make any minor modifications to the proposed conditions arising out of detailed negotiations, which may include the variation and addition of the conditions as drafted.

Chambers Wharf, Chambers Street, SE16 4XQ

The committee addressed two applications, 24/AP/3800 and 24/AP/3801, concerning Chambers Wharf, located at Chambers Street, SE16 4XQ.

24/AP/3800: S96A Non-Material Amendment Application

This application sought a non-material amendment to planning permission reference number 07/AP/1262, as amended by 13/AP/4266, to amend the description of development and to add a new condition to secure the quanta of residential units and commercial floor space to be delivered. The proposed changes were considered to be 'non-material', subject to the recommended amended description and additional condition.

24/AP/3801: S73 Material Amendment

This application sought a material amendment under s73 of the TCPA 1990 to ref: 07/AP/1262, as amended by 13/AP/4266, to amend Blocks A, B, C, D and associated landscape only including the internal configuration, external design and overall massing, mix and unit numbers, and variation of the conditions of consent including to allow for:

• Changes to façade design to meet updated fire regulations and energy and sustainability standards / overheating.
• Adjustments to building footprint, form, and massing.
• Internal reconfiguration of units to meet current Nationally Described Space Standards², change in mix / unit reduction from 589 to 566.
• Added staircases and fire safety features.
• Change from winter gardens to winter gardens / balconies.
• Added plant, lift overruns, smoke vents a to roof of buildings.
• Increases in building massing and heights ranging between 3.9 and 4.9 metres.
• Added residential amenity facilities in Building A, C and D, including swimming pool a gym uses.
• Amendments to conditions.
• Revised energy strategy including change from Combine Heat and Power (gas boiler) to (electric) ASHP.
• Basement layout changed to accommodate TT Tunnel infrastructure.
• Rise in floor level of building C for flood protection.

The Director of Planning and Growth be authorised under delegated authority to make any minor modifications to the proposed conditions arising out of detailed negotiations, which may include the variation and addition of the conditions as drafted.