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How to apply for building consent

Alterations to your commercial letting

Any building work or adaptions to your letting requires permission from The Dulwich Estate. This is to ensure the work complies with the Scheme of Management guidelines and is in keeping with the area.

Licence application process

We require the following information:

  • An outline description of the building proposals

  • The name, address and contact details of the leaseholder and the contact details for the architect and project manager

  • If applicable, accurate single-sided drawings, with a title plan showing address, date, scale and drawing number. Please provide this information in duplicate, no larger than A3 and a scale of not less than 1:100, showing existing and proposed any proposed demolitions, including tree removals, outlined in blue on the existing drawings.

  • New works should be outlined in red on the proposed drawings

  • If there are any mature trees in close proximity (including neighbouring gardens), please provide details of the location, height, and diameter of the trunk at approximately 3ft above ground level.

  • Details of the proposed design and materials to be used should be included on the plans. These will form part of the licence if approved.

  • A location plan at a scale of 1:1250 with proposed works in red.

Image Checklist

A site inspection may not be possible. Therefore, to confirm if proposed changes to the property are a) licensed and b) compliant with Scheme guidelines, we require a set of 10 photos to support your application. Please submit the following images:

  1. Front elevation

  2. Front elevation in context

  3. Front

  4. Rear elevation

  5. Rear elevation in context

  6. Context rear

  7. Side elevation (if applicable)

  8. Rear garden

  9. Garden fences

  10. Front garden

Window application documents should include:

  • A 1:1250 OS site plan,

  • A block plan

  • Existing and proposed elevations or, if this is not possible, annotated photographs with the red and blue lines highlighting the windows concerned

  • An illustrated quote from their product supplier/installer Product data sheets including typical frame details

Frames should be slender and similar to the profile of the existing frames. In 1960s developments frame profiles should be square or chamfered in timber, aluminium or UPVC.

Please send all information in the check list to dominic.joseph@thedulwichestate.org.uk

Processing times

The application process may include consultation with neighbours and other interested parties, this can take approximately 6-8 weeks. We will let you know if any further information (including further detailed plans) are required and advise you of the fee for processing this application on receipt of the above.

In addition to seeking approval from the Estate, if the proposals will impact on adjoining amenity areas, or the road and paths (in particular during any construction phase) separate consent may be required where the London Borough of Southwark is the head leaseholder.

This will include the use of its land for delivery, storage or removal of materials and the use of skips or scaffolding. Please contact Southwark council direct regarding the necessary approvals.

Commercial scale of charges for applications requiring a licence with effect from 1 January 2026:

  • 2026 £

    2025 £

  • Minimum application fee (Commercial)

    500.00

    450.00

  • Minimum application fee (Southwark Underlet)

    142.00

    137.00

  • Extension (minimum charge)

    50 per m2

    48 per m2

  • Loft conversion (minimum charge)

    865.00

    834.00

  • Replacement windows and doors

    348.00

    335.00

  • Change a door, a window, a gate or fence

    142.00

    137.00

  • Add dormer window

    341.00

    329.00

  • Add roof light

    148.00

    143.00

  • Add solar energy panels

    142.00

    137.00

  • New drive or hardstanding

    310.00

    299.00

  • Replacement of driveway material

    142.00

    137.00

  • Hard landscaping in rear garden

    177.00

    171.00

  • Garden building

    50m2

    48m2

  • Satellite dish

    142.00

    137.00

  • A new house or a swimming pool

    50 per m2

    48 per m2

  • Minor variations

    142.00

    137.00

  • To provide OS location plan

    43.00

    42.00

  • Reissuing/renewing lost licences

    43.00

    42.00

  • Retrospective Applications

    Double scale fee

    Double scale fee

  • Sale sign off site inspection

    246.00

    237.00

  • Final consent inspection

    123.00

    119.00