The Camberwell Society

Society for those living, working or interested in Camberwell

The Planning sub-committee reviews all SE5 planning applications received by Southwark and Lambeth Councils that have an impact on the Camberwell area. Applications are reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate to their surroundings and that sufficient information has been submitted with the application.
Members comments received prior to discussion at the next meeting are always recorded and considered

Regularly we host developers and their designers with their proposals both at pre and at planning application stage and review their proposals and provide considered suggestions.

Through the work of the sub-committee, the Society has been instrumental in saving many buildings of note including Addington Square, Denmark Hill Station and part of Windsor Walk. The Society has also been instrumental in influencing new development to make a positive contribution to the area, and works with local residents and tenants groups where there are common issues. The current composition of the Planning sub-committee is: Tim Gaymer, Anthony Kyrke-Smith, Elizabeth Borowiecka, Jason Leech, Robert Potz, Jonathan Hunt, Paul Cohoon, Somayya Yaqub, Michael Galt and Tom Harvey. Potential new members are welcome to attend a meeting as an observer initially. The Society is currently under represented by members from the Myatt Fields and Brunswick Park areas.


Meetings of the Planning sub-committee are usually held in the evenings at monthly intervals.

If you wish to contribute to the work please contact planning@camberwellsociety.org.uk

18/AP/1878 | 303 CAMBERWELL NEW ROAD, LONDON, SE5 0FT

18/AP/1878 Redevelopment of the site involving the demolition of all existing buildings and the erection of a 7-storey building comprising an A1 retail unit (95sqm) and 27 residential units (7x1bed, 10x2bed, 10x3 bed), with associated disabled parking, car club bay, refuse storage, cycle storage and landscaping.

This application is a proposal to demolish the existing TFC supermarket and housing above (3 storey) and replace it with a 7 storey building comprising primarily flats above and adjacent to a small convenience store. It fronts Camberwell New Road and is adjacent to the Greek Cathedral on one side and the Abeillo Walworth Bus Garage to the other side and also to the rear. Albeillo have already raised concerns regarding the open terraces overlooking their garage and no mention of the 24 hour noise from their site. There is a viability study that predictably attempts to demonstrate that the developer cannot afford to deliver any affordable housing nor make any contribution.

The existing building has no merit and this proposal does seem to have taken its cue from that. The scheme has no attractive external space – it is used to access the disabled parking and it overlooks the cathedral. The layout of the flats in themselves are fine, albeit a not very efficient layout.

The Camberwell Society objects to the loss of a significant anchor store in Camberwell, the impact of the scheme overshadowing the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the lack of attractive communal amenity space, and the impact on the operation of the adjacent bus garage.

We do not believe that a predominately housing scheme should be delivered in this industrial/heavily trafficked site


23/AP/1661 & 1662 Camberwell Police Station Section House, London SE5 8QU
Proposed extensions, alterations and change of use of the former Camberwell Police Station Section House ‘rear building’ (sui generis) ...
23/AP/0330 10 Love Walk SE5 8AE
Demolition of all existing buildings on site and comprehensive redevelopment to provide a part-three and part-four storey new care home ...
22/AP/3864 Display of a temporary externally illuminated advertising shroud during refurbishment works until the 18/11/2023. | 20-23 Camberwell Green London Southwark SE5 7AA
It is clear from recent past experience that applications for permission to erect scaffolding shrouds and advertisements on the front ...
22/AP/1095 - Construction of a residential block on Wyndam Road and residential block and replacement church on Redcar Street
22/AP/1095 - Construction of a part six, part five storey residential block on Wyndam Road and part five, part four, part three storey ...
22/AP/2497 Land Rear Of 213-215 Camberwell New Road London SE5 0TJ
Construction of two-storey residential mews to provide x2 two bedroom homes with private terrace, waste storage, green roof and solar ...
22/AP/2069 Land Rear Of 163 Camberwell Grove London Southwark
Demolition of a garage and construction of a two bedroom house - re-applicationThe Camberwell Society considers that the revised application ...
21/AP/4490 | 56-60 Comber Grove London Southwark SE5 0LD
21/AP/4490Redevelopment of an existing community centre (Class F) to provide a six storey building with community centre (Use Class F) at ...
21/AP/1254/5: 5-7 COTTAGE GREEN AND 69 SOUTHAMPTON WAY LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 7ST
COMMENT ON REVISED PROPOSALS MAY 2022Two changes have been made to the proposals:1. Reduction in the height of blocks A and B towards the ...
Champion Hill, Seavington House 22/AP/0174
Demolition of 16 garages and 10 bedsits and redevelopment of the site for the construction of 5 terraced three storey houses and a 19 unit ...
21/AP/1342 | Burgess Industrial Park Parkhouse Street London SE5 7TJ
Application Reference: 21/AP/1342Address: Burgess Industrial Park Parkhouse Street London SE5 7TJProposal: Demolition of the existing ...
21/AP/3255 – 137 Camberwell New Road
21/AP/3255 – 137 Camberwell New RoadErection of a two-storey rear extension in connection to the conversion of a single dwellinghouse ...
219 Camberwell New Road, London SE5 0TJ Ref 21/AP/3278
Construction of mansard roof extension to provide a three-bedroom flat, including the demolition of the existing ancillary buildings to the ...
21/AP/2982 37 Denmark Hill: Conversion of a store to provide a one bed residential unit
There is apparently development potential on this site, but this scheme does not make good use of it. What is proposed is a confusion of ...
21/AP/3468 32 Love Walk: Demolition of existing building and redevelopment to provide 5 residential dwellings
The committee mostly thought this a promising proposal. The new flats would take the place of a very dilapidated house not thought to have ...
21/AP/1342 | BURGESS INDUSTRIAL PARK - CAMBERWELL UNION - 386 RESIDENTIAL UNITS
Application Reference & Link: 21/AP/1342Address: Burgess Industrial Park Parkhouse Street London SE5 7TJProposal: Demolition of the existing ...
21/AP/1651/2 ​75-77 SOUTHAMPTON WAY, LONDON SE5 7SW
Application Reference & Link: 21/AP/1651Change of use from a 11-unit HMO (Hostel) (Sui Generis) into 6 self-contained flats (C3 Use Class), ...
1-13 SOUTHAMPTON WAY, SE5 7SW
Application Reference & Link: 21/AP/0451 The Camberwell Society provides an objection to this proposal. Whilst the Principle of Development ...
21/AP/1648 93 GROVE LANE LONDON SE5
Application Reference & Link: 21/AP/1648Change of use from a 14 unit HMO (Hostel) (Sui Generis) into 5no self-contained Flats (C3 Use ...
21/AP/1254/5: 5-7 COTTAGE GREEN AND 69 SOUTHAMPTON WAY LONDON SOUTHWARK SE5 7ST
Demolition of existing structures, including removal and alterations to the flank elevation of grade II listed no. 73 Southampton Way, and ...