The Planning Committee (Major Applications) B of Southwark Council met on Wednesday 09 September 2026 to discuss the Borough Triangle site development. The committee resolved to refuse planning permission for the proposed variations to the existing permission, citing concerns over the significantly reduced level of affordable housing and the resulting heritage harm.

The primary focus of the meeting was a Section 73 application to vary conditions on a previously granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the Borough Triangle site. The applicant, Berkeley Homes, sought to reduce the affordable housing provision from the originally approved 35% to a minimum of 10%. This reduction was justified by the applicant citing challenging economic conditions, increased finance costs, inflation, and the introduction of new building regulations.

However, the committee, after considering reports and hearing from objectors and the applicant, resolved to refuse the application. The main reason for refusal was that the reduced public benefit from the significantly lower affordable housing provision would no longer outweigh the identified heritage harm to the Trinity Church Square Conservation Area. This harm was attributed to the height, scale, and massing of the proposed Blocks A and B. The committee also noted that the reduced affordable housing provision failed to meet the borough's significant need for such homes.

While the amendments addressed fire safety concerns and made minor internal reconfigurations, the substantial reduction in affordable housing was deemed to fundamentally alter the planning balance that had justified the original consent. The committee concluded that the proposed development, as amended, would be contrary to national, regional, and local planning policies concerning heritage, affordable housing, and the protection of amenity.