London
Building Compliance in Lewisham
Local information last checked:
Lewisham growth nodes and regeneration proposals
The Lewisham Local Plan 2020–2040 directs growth towards seven Growth Nodes: Forest Hill, New Cross, Lee Green, Bellingham, Evelyn, Grove Park and Surrey Canal. It relates the scale of growth to local character and infrastructure capacity. For a development within one of these nodes, establish the energy, overheating and acoustic evidence together before fixing massing. A growth designation does not remove the need to explain how the proposed accommodation will perform.
The adopted spatial strategy also identifies the New Cross/Lewisham/Catford and Deptford Creek/Greenwich Riverside Opportunity Areas. It describes opportunities through industrial-site intensification and town-centre renewal. Where a Lewisham proposal brings homes close to retained employment uses, noise surveys can inform window and ventilation design. Carry those constraints into overheating assessments, rather than assuming occupants can always open windows for cooling.
Lewisham validation evidence and the published checklists
Lewisham’s validation page says missing information can prevent validation and lead to an application being returned. It also advertises a consultation on revised requirements ending 29 September 2026. The linked checklists therefore need checking against any subsequently adopted replacement when submitting. Do not treat the consultation wording alone as confirmation that a new list has taken effect.
The published major-development checklist marks its Energy, Sustainability and Over Heating Statement entry as applying to all applications within that checklist. It calls for an energy strategy, domestic SAP or non-domestic National Calculation Method calculations, and evidence on matters including energy, water, materials and waste. Scope energy statements and sustainability statements as coordinated evidence, while keeping their different purposes clear. This major-checklist wording is not a claim that every householder application needs the same package.
Both the minor-application checklist and major checklist require noise and vibration evidence where noise-sensitive uses are near noise-generating uses, or proposals involve noise-generating systems or plant. The minor list also asks for a ventilation/extraction statement where that equipment is proposed. For a flat conversion or commercial alteration, identify equipment positions, neighbouring receptors and operating assumptions before commissioning acoustic design. A drawing of an extract outlet alone does not address its noise effects.
Services in Lewisham
New homes and conversions
- Air tightness testing in Lewisham
On-site testing that measures how much air leaks through a building's envelope, with a certificate for Building Control.
- Sound insulation testing in Lewisham
Pre-completion testing of separating walls and floors between homes, reported in the form Building Control expects.
- Ventilation testing in Lewisham
Airflow measurement of extract fans and ventilation systems, recorded for the Building Control completion file.
- MVHR commissioning in Lewisham
Setting up and measuring a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system, with commissioning records for handover.
- SAP calculations in Lewisham
The energy calculation for new homes and conversions, from design stage figures to the as-built result.
- Home energy model in Lewisham
Assessment under the Home Energy Model, the government's planned replacement for SAP.
- U-value calculations in Lewisham
Calculated U-values for walls, floors and roofs, set out in a document Building Control can check against the limits.
- Thermal bridging calculations in Lewisham
Calculated psi-values for junctions, replacing default values in SAP and SBEM with measured detail.
- Condensation risk analysis in Lewisham
Analysis of how moisture moves through a wall, roof or floor build-up, showing whether condensation risk is acceptable.
- Water calculations in Lewisham
The water efficiency calculation for new homes, showing estimated daily use per person against the target.
- Background ventilation calculations in Lewisham
Calculations that size trickle vents and background ventilation for each room, ready for Building Control.
- Overheating assessments in Lewisham
Overheating assessment for new homes, using the simplified method where it applies.
- CIBSE TM59 and TM52 assessments in Lewisham
Dynamic thermal modelling of overheating risk, assessed against CIBSE TM59 for homes and TM52 for other buildings.
- Party wall and ceiling design in Lewisham
Design review of separating wall constructions between homes, so they are built to pass sound testing.
- Party floor design in Lewisham
Design review of separating floor constructions between flats, so they are built to pass sound testing.
- Regulation 25A reports in Lewisham
The report on high-efficiency alternative energy systems required for new buildings under Regulation 25A.
Commercial and public buildings
- SBEM calculations in Lewisham
The energy calculation for new and altered non-domestic buildings, with the BRUKL output Building Control asks for.
- Display energy certificates in Lewisham
Display Energy Certificates showing the actual energy use of public buildings, with the advisory report.
- Smoke shaft and AOV testing in Lewisham
Testing of smoke shafts and automatic opening vents to confirm they operate as designed.
- Fire risk assessments in Lewisham
A written assessment of fire risk in a building's common or work areas, with the actions needed to reduce it.
- Legionella risk assessments in Lewisham
An assessment of a building's water systems that identifies legionella risk and the controls needed.
- Commercial and industrial noise surveys in Lewisham
Assessment of sound from commercial and industrial sources under BS 4142.
- Entertainment and night club noise surveys in Lewisham
Noise assessment for bars, clubs and venues, and for homes planned near them.
Existing buildings and refurbishment
- Asbestos surveys in Lewisham
Surveys that find and record asbestos-containing materials, and explain which survey type a building needs.
- Management asbestos survey in Lewisham
A survey of the accessible parts of an occupied building so the dutyholder can manage asbestos during normal use.
- Refurbishment and demolition survey in Lewisham
An intrusive survey of the areas affected by planned refurbishment or demolition, carried out before work starts.
- Pre-purchase asbestos survey in Lewisham
An asbestos survey arranged before buying a property, so the buyer knows what is present and where.
- Retrofit assessments in Lewisham
A whole-house assessment of a home's condition and energy use, used to plan retrofit measures.
- Borescope inspections in Lewisham
Camera inspection of cavities and voids through small holes, without opening up the structure.
- EPC in Lewisham
Energy Performance Certificates for homes and commercial buildings that are built, sold or let.
Planning applications
- Energy statements in Lewisham
Energy statements written for planning applications, setting out how a scheme meets the council's energy policy.
- London plan energy assessments in Lewisham
Energy assessments for London schemes, following the Mayor's energy hierarchy and carbon reporting requirements.
- Sustainability statements in Lewisham
Sustainability statements for planning applications, covering the topics the council's policies ask for.
- Acoustic design in Lewisham
Acoustic design advice from the early stages of a project, so construction details meet sound requirements.
- Noise surveys in Lewisham
Noise impact assessment for planning applications, and the starting point for the specific noise surveys below.
- Environmental noise survey in Lewisham
Measurement of existing noise levels at a site, used to inform design and planning submissions.
- Residential noise surveys in Lewisham
Noise assessment for new homes, showing that internal and external noise levels will be acceptable.
- Road and rail noise surveys in Lewisham
Assessment of road and railway noise affecting a proposed development.
Lewisham’s adopted sustainable design policies
The council adopted the Lewisham Local Plan on 16 July 2025, replacing its Core Strategy, Site Allocations, Development Management and Lewisham Town Centre plans. Under Policy SD2, development proposals must provide a proportionate Sustainable Design Statement covering construction and operation. Major proposals should coordinate it with detailed evidence on energy, heat risk, air quality, water and other topics. Use the adopted policy references in the report schedule rather than relying on superseded policy numbers.
Policy SD3 requires major development to be net zero-carbon, with an Energy Strategy explaining the approach as part of the Sustainable Design Statement. It provides for contributions where the target cannot be met on site. For Lewisham applicants, compare fabric and building-services options before calculating any remaining shortfall. SAP calculations or SBEM calculations support the relevant building model, but the planning narrative must also explain the design decisions.
Policies SD5 and SD10 address heat and water respectively. SD5 requires new development to reduce overheating and reliance on air conditioning through the London Plan cooling hierarchy, with major schemes providing an Energy Statement. SD10 requires water-efficient design and compliance with London Plan water standards. Coordinate shading, ventilation and fittings early: water calculations should reflect the proposed specification, while thermal modelling should use a ventilation strategy the design can actually deliver.
Lewisham reports alongside the London Plan 2021
Lewisham’s adoption page says its plan forms the statutory Development Plan together with the London Plan and Neighbourhood Plans. Read the London Plan 2021 alongside the borough requirements, not instead of them. Our London Plan energy assessments can be scoped around that combined framework. Locally, Policy QD7 requires mitigation of noise and other nuisances and applies the Agent of Change principle, so an energy strategy should not depend on ventilation assumptions that conflict with acoustic mitigation.
Lewisham shared-house licensing checks
Lewisham’s HMO licensing guidance identifies mandatory licensing for properties with five or more people in more than one household sharing amenities. Its additional scheme began on 5 April 2022 and covers qualifying HMOs outside mandatory licensing, including three or four unrelated sharers, subject to exclusions. Review actual occupation and shared facilities before assuming a smaller Lewisham rental property is outside licensing.
The same Lewisham guidance says licensed properties must comply with licensing standards and licence holders with licence conditions. Treat fire risk assessments, EPCs and legionella risk assessments as separate checks to scope around the building and its use. This is not a claim that every licence application requires all three documents; establish the applicable conditions before ordering evidence.
Lewisham building control and construction evidence
Lewisham’s building control service provides application, inspection and application-search routes, and says owners must ensure inspections happen at the relevant key stages. For a Lewisham new build or conversion, agree the construction evidence schedule alongside those inspections. Air tightness testing and sound insulation testing, where applicable, serve a different purpose from the planning energy and noise reports discussed above.
Building compliance questions in Lewisham
Which council handles Lewisham planning applications?
The London Borough of Lewisham provides the planning service. Its separate building control pages provide approval and inspection routes. Keep the two evidence schedules distinct.
Does Lewisham require sustainable design evidence?
Yes. Policy SD2 of the adopted Local Plan requires a Sustainable Design Statement proportionate to the proposal. Major schemes should coordinate it with their other detailed environmental statements.
Can a three-person Lewisham HMO need a licence?
Yes. Lewisham’s additional licensing guidance includes qualifying properties with three or four unrelated people sharing facilities. Check the published exclusions and actual occupation rather than relying on the mandatory five-person threshold.
Guides
Request a quote
Tell us about the project once. We will confirm which services apply and send a quote.
All fields marked * are required.