Policy information sourced from the Southwark Local Plan 2022

P17 Tall buildings

  • The areas where we expect tall buildings are shown on the adopted Policies Map and on Figure 4. These are typically within our Major Town Centres, Opportunity Area Cores, Action Area Cores and the Central Activities Zone. Individual sites where taller buildings may be appropriate have been identified in the site allocations. Some of these site allocations have identified possible locations for tall buildings in Peckham and Camberwell town centres taking account of conservation areas and other heritage assets.
  • Tall buildings must:
    • Be located at a point of landmark significance; and
    • Have a height that is proportionate to the significance of the proposed location and the size of the site; and
    • Make a positive contribution to the London skyline and landscape, taking into account the cumulative effect of existing tall buildings and emerging proposals for tall buildings; and
    • Not cause a harmful impact on strategic views, as set out in the London View Management Framework, or to our Borough views; and
    • Respond positively to local character and townscape; and
    • Provide a functional public space that is appropriate to the height and size of the proposed building; and
    • Provide a new publicly accessible space at or near to the top of the building and communal facilities for users and residents where appropriate.
  • The design of tall buildings will be required to:
    • Be of exemplary architectural design and residential quality; and
    • Conserve and enhance the significance of designated heritage assets and make a positive contributions to wider townscape character. Where proposals will affect the significance of a designated heritage asset (from its alteration or destruction, or from development within its setting) clear and convincing justification in the form of public benefits will be required; and
    • Avoid harmful and uncomfortable environmental impacts including wind shear, overshadowing, and solar glare; and
    • Maximise energy efficiency and prioritise the use of sustainable materials; and
    • Have a positive relationship with the public realm, provide opportunities for new street trees, and design lower floors to successfully relate to and create a positive pedestrian experience; and provide widened footways and routes to accommodate increased footfall.

For more information please see the Southwark Local Plan 2022