Bankside, Borough and London Bridge SPD

We are preparing a planning framework covering Bankside, Borough and London Bridge that sets out the overall plan and detailed guidance for how development in the area should occur.

The planning framework provides further guidance on policies in the Southwark Plan, London Plan and emerging core strategy and will be used to decide planning applications in Bankside, Borough and London Bridge. 

Over the next 15 years a range of development is expected to take place in Bankside, Borough and London Bridge, particularly new housing and business space.

The planning framework will make sure development creates an exciting and successful place and covers a range of important topics including the design of development, building heights, what uses are appropriate and how new development should help improve streets and public spaces. 

We will be seeking the agreement of the Mayor of London so that this document can also be used as the opportunity planning framework (OPF) which guides his decisions on planning matters in the area.

Read the government's announcement on Neighbourhood Planning Front Runners

The draft planning framework was taken to Planning Committee for comment on 19 January 2010 and to Executive on 9 February 2010.

Consultation on the draft SPD initially took place in February and March 2010 and was then re opened for six weeks starting on Friday 17 September 2010. All the comments made during the first round of consultation are available to view.

Download the Bankside, Borough and London Bridge SPD and background documents.

Download a list of frequently asked questions and answers about the planning proposals for the area.

Update April 2011

On 2 April 2011 it was announced that Southwark has been selected by the government's Department for Communities and Local Government as one of the neighbourhood planning front runner authorities (previously referred to as 'neighbourhood planning vanguards'). The purpose is to test out the principles of neighbourhood planning as set out in the government's Localism Bill.

Southwark Council has been selected to work with groups preparing two separate neighbourhood plans in neighbouring areas. We will be working with a newly formed neighbourhood forum that has come together in the Bermondsey/London Bridge area as well as the Bankside Residents' Forum. We have agreed timetables with these groups with the aim of completing a neighbourhood plan for each area by Christmas 2011.

As the Localism Bill is not yet law and is not expected to become law until some time later in 2012, the council will have to agree with the neighbourhood forum how to take the plan forward when it is completed. One option will be for Southwark Council and the Greater London Authority to revise the draft Supplementary Planning Document/Opportunity Area Planning Framework to take full account of the neighbourhood plan and take it forward for adoption.

A formal decision to put work on the supplementary planning document on hold and to seek neighbourhood plannning vanguard status was taken by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Community Strategy, Councillor Fiona Colley, on 14 February 2011.

Read the report seeking the agreement of the Cabinet Member to putting the SPD on hold and applying for vanguard status.

Read the council's submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government seeking Neighbourhood Planning Vanguard (now 'front runner') status.