New planning rules set to significantly reduce the powers of planning committees are due to be implemented from November, sparking concern among local councillors and heritage experts about the potential impact on conservation areas.
The changes, driven by upcoming government legislation, will see many planning applications previously decided by committees being determined by council officers instead. The Wandsworth Conservation and Heritage Advisory Committee discussed the implications of these changes during their meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Under the new rules, all the applications that we have looked at today will henceforth from November be determined by officers, not by PAC,
stated committee chair Michael Jubb. He highlighted that this shift will fundamentally alter the role of planning committees.
Concerns were raised about the potential negative impacts on heritage preservation. For the application at 25 Prince of Wales Drive, committee members strongly objected, describing the proposal as a monstrosity
and a travesty
that would destroy the symmetry of the pair of houses.
They also noted that the proposal was contrary to the conservation area's appraisal and management strategy and local plan policies.
Similarly, for the application at 215 Franciscan Road, significant reservations were raised about the proposed dormer and the circular window, which were considered intrusive and out of character with the conservation area.
The committee requested a report for their next meeting in November to outline how the council plans to proceed under these new national delegation rules, which they described as a diktat from the government restricting the powers of planning committees.
The full agenda for the meeting can be found in the Agenda frontsheet, with supplementary papers available in the Supplementary Agenda.