The Planning Committee (Major Applications) B of Southwark Council met on Wednesday 10 September 2025 to discuss the adoption of a new Climate and Environment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The committee was also scheduled to consider several reports concerning the release of Section 106 funds for various local projects, including playgrounds, area schemes, flood alleviation, and bus service improvements. Additionally, the committee was set to review development management applications for individual sites.

Adoption of the Climate and Environment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The committee was scheduled to discuss the adoption of the draft Climate and Environment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This document aims to provide additional information for developers and case officers on how to implement the climate and environment policies within the Southwark Plan 2022. It also offers guidance on conforming to national and local legislation. The SPD is intended to assist those involved in development to make cleaner, more biodiverse, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient projects. It is expected to be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

The report pack indicated that the SPD would have a neutral to positive community impact, helping to improve the quality and sustainability of development in the borough and mitigate environmental impacts. It aligns with the Southwark 2030 Strategy's goal of a clean, green, and healthy environment. The document was also assessed for its equalities, socio-economic, and health impacts, with the conclusion that it would have no negative impacts and broad neutral to positive effects benefiting all residents. Climate change implications were also considered, noting the council's ambition to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. The SPD conforms to the Southwark Plan 2022 and does not introduce new policies. There were no additional resource implications identified, with costs to be contained within existing departmental budgets.

The draft SPD had undergone a public consultation period exceeding the statutory minimum, running from 21 August 2024 to 27 November 2024. Revisions were made to the SPD based on consultation responses and requests from the Environment Scrutiny Commission. These revisions included clarifications on policy implementation, energy efficiency standards, flood risk and air quality measures, biodiversity and green infrastructure, transport, and the addition of a glossary and appendices.

Release of Section 106 Funds for Local Projects

The committee was scheduled to consider the release of Section 106 funds for several projects:

• Bells Garden Estate Playground: A recommendation was made to approve the release of £101,782.80 from Section 106 agreements for the development of a children's playground on the Bells Garden Estate in Peckham. This funding is intended to support the development of the playground, which was part of the original planning consent for the estate redevelopment but was not delivered under the initial works contract due to budget constraints. The report highlighted the community's frustration over the delay in re-providing this amenity and the positive health impacts of improved green spaces and play facilities.
• Great Suffolk Street Area Scheme – Phase 2: The committee was asked to approve the release of £139,927.45 from Section 106 agreements towards the delivery of Phase 2 of the Great Suffolk Street Area Scheme. This scheme, implemented under experimental traffic orders and later made permanent, aims to reduce through-traffic in the area to mitigate noise, air pollution, and safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists. Phase 2 additions include footway widening, tactile paving, greening, and the creation of bi-directional cycleways on Webber Street, Great Suffolk Street, Union Street, and Lavington Street. The funding is intended to support these improvements, aligning with Southwark's strategic transport objectives.
• Lost Peck Flood Alleviation and Environmental Enhancement Scheme: The committee was scheduled to approve the release of £428,834.94 of Section 106 funds to support the delivery of the Lost Peck Flood Alleviation and Environmental Improvement Scheme. This project aims to protect 111 properties from surface water flooding in Peckham and includes environmental enhancements such as creating a natural corridor, targeted planting, biodiversity improvements, and redevelopment of a derelict footway to improve public access. The scheme has already commenced construction, and these funds would contribute to the environmental enhancements.
• Old Kent Road and Elephant and Castle Bus Service Improvements: The committee was asked to approve the release of £5,078,652.01 from Section 106 agreements to Transport for London (TfL) for improvements to bus services on Old Kent Road and Elephant and Castle, specifically supporting the new Bakerloop bus service. This service is intended as an interim measure to improve transport connectivity prior to the Bakerloo Line Extension. The funding represents approximately 15% of the total commitment for the service over a 7-year period.

Development Management Applications

The committee was also scheduled to consider several development management applications, which involve decisions on individual planning applications. These were listed as:

• 301-303 Ilderton Road, London, SE15 1NW: This application sought full planning permission for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a 15-storey building comprising Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (Use Class Sui Generis) and commercial floorspace (Class E(g)), with landscaping, cycle parking, and associated ancillary development. The report detailed extensive considerations regarding land use, affordable housing, housing mix, quality of accommodation, daylight and sunlight impacts, public realm, urban design, heritage, transport, environmental matters, energy and sustainability, and planning obligations.
• Skipton House, 80 London Road, London, SE1 6LH: This application sought full planning permission for the demolition of the existing building, retention and reuse of the basement with a minor extension, and the construction of four linked buildings ranging from 21 to 31 storeys. The development would provide 243 affordable residential units (Class C3) and 1,434 Purpose-Built Student Accommodation units (Use Class Sui Generis), along with retail, food and beverage, office, and medical services floorspace. The report covered extensive aspects including environmental impact, land use, affordable housing, housing mix, quality of accommodation, daylight and sunlight, public realm, urban design, heritage, transport, environmental matters, energy and sustainability, and planning obligations.

The meeting agenda also included standard procedural items such as receiving apologies, confirming voting members, notifying of urgent business, and disclosing interests. An item regarding the exclusion of the press and public for exempt information was also noted.

It is important to note that this summary is based on the scheduled discussions outlined in the provided documents and does not reflect any actual discussions, decisions made, or outcomes of the meeting. The information status of the meeting was PENDINGCOUNCILPUBLICATION, meaning the council had not yet published information about the meeting's proceedings.