Basement And Ground Floor Chocolate Factory 53 Southwark Street London Southwark SE1 1RU Data via plota.co.uk

25/AP/2495 - Change of Use Approved

Proposal

Change of use of basement unit from a restaurant (Class E) to wine bar (Sui Generis), and external alterations. Data via plota.co.uk

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View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

✓
Received
1 Sept 2025
✓
Validated
2 Sept 2025
✓
Approved
19 Dec 2025

Approved on 19 Dec 2025 · Delegated Panel - Simple · Last checked 12 Oct 2026

Documents 41

Decision & officer reports 21

PDF A-Z1-62-300 SECTION SHOWING EXTRACT DUCT Decision - Plans · 9 Dec 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-10-099 REV R04 PROPOSED BASEMENT PLAN Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-10-100 REV R04 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR PLAN Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-10-200 REV R01 PROPOSED FRONT (NORTH) ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-10-201 REV R01 PROPOSED FRONT (WEST) ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-10-100 REV R01 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR PLAN Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-193 REV R02 PROPOSED BASEMENT STORAGE ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-194 REV R02 PROPOSED BASEMENT STAIRCASE ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-195 REV R02 PROPOSED BASEMENT - TOILET ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-196 REV R02 PROPOSED BASEMENT STAFF ROOM ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-197 REV R02 PROPOSED BASEMENT ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-198 REV R02 PROPOSED BASEMENT ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-199 REV R02 PROPOSED BASEMENT ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-201 REV R01 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-202 REV R02 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-203 REV R01 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-204 REV R01 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR ? ACCESSIBLE WC ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-21-205 REV R02 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR STAIRCASE ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-206 REV R02 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR KP AREA ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-22-207 REV R02 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR STORAGE ELEVATION Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-53-100 PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR SIGNAGE LOCATIONS Decision - Plans · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗

Statements & assessments 2

PDF NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT Noise impact assessment · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF FIRE STATEMENT Fire Statement · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗

Plans & drawings 1

PDF A-Z1-00-901 EXISTING EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS PHOTOS Photographs and photomontages · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗

Application forms 1

PDF APPLICATION FORM - WITHOUT PERSONAL DATA Application - Form (Without Personal data) · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗

Consultation & comments 2

PDF FILE COPY - NEIGHBOUR NOTIFICATION+LIST Neighbour Notification List · 27 Nov 2025 View ↗ PDF FILE COPY - NEIGHBOUR NOTIFICATION+LIST Neighbour Notification List · 10 Sept 2025 View ↗

Other documents 14

PDF EMAQ REPORT Report · 9 Dec 2025 View ↗ PDF TIME EXTENSION LETTER Time Extension - Request · 3 Dec 2025 View ↗ PDF TIME EXTENSION LETTER Time Extension - Request · 3 Dec 2025 View ↗ PDF TIME EXTENSION LETTER Time Extension - Request · 3 Dec 2025 View ↗ PDF TIME EXTENSION LETTER Time Extension - Request · 3 Dec 2025 View ↗ PDF SITE NOTICE Site notice · 24 Nov 2025 View ↗ PDF SITE NOTICE Site notice · 24 Nov 2025 View ↗ PDF TIME EXTENSION LETTER Time Extension - Request · 11 Nov 2025 View ↗ PDF PRESS NOTICE - 11/09/2025 Press Notice · 9 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF VALID APPLICATION LETTER WITH INVOICE Valid Application Letter · 4 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF SITE NOTICE Site notice · 4 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-00-899 EXISTING BASEMENT PHOTOS Photographs and photomontages · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-00-900 EXISTING GROUND FLOOR PHOTOS Photographs and photomontages · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗ PDF A-Z1-53-900 EXTERNAL SIGNAGE PHOTOGRAPHS Photographs and photomontages · 1 Sept 2025 View ↗

All documents on the council site ↗

Site constraints 14

Flood zone 3, rivers and sea
High chance: a 1 in 100 or greater annual chance from rivers, or 1 in 200 from the sea. Any development here needs a flood risk assessment. Defences are not counted.
The Environment Agency flood map for planning. Homes in zone 3 must also pass the sequential test. Surface water flooding is a separate map.
Flood map ↗
Thrale Street conservation area
Demolition needs planning permission and permitted development is restricted.
The council must give weight to preserving or enhancing the area's character and appearance. Not every council has published its boundaries as open data.
Council document ↗
2 Article 4 directions
Bankside and Borough District Town Centre · Central Activities Zone. Named permitted development rights are withdrawn here.
An Article 4 direction withdraws particular permitted development rights, so work that would normally need no application needs one here. Not every council has published its directions.
Archaeological priority area
An assessment or field evaluation may be asked for before ground works.
The council or Historic England considers archaeology likely here. A desk-based assessment, and sometimes trial trenching, can be asked for with the application.
Air quality management area: Southwark AQMA
The council has declared the area as failing an air quality objective.
Schemes that add traffic, parking or combustion plant are assessed against the area's action plan and may need an air quality assessment.
Council record ↗
National infrastructure project 267 m away: Thames Tideway Tunnel
The site is 267 m from the project boundary. Waste water treatment, decided. The project page says whether consent was granted. Also within 2 km: London Strategic Heat Main Project (at pre-application, 69 m).
Nationally significant infrastructure projects (power stations, electricity lines, pipelines, major roads and railways, harbours, airports and reservoirs) are consented by a Secretary of State under the Planning Act 2008, after an examination by the Planning Inspectorate, rather than by the council. The boundary is the one the Inspectorate consults on and can change as the scheme does. Projects are shown within 2 km of the site.
Planning Inspectorate project page ↗
Town centre: Bankside and The Borough
A designated centre in the London Plan.
Shops, services and active frontages are protected in centres, and main town centre uses are steered here first.
14 listed buildings within 150 m
Nearest: 51 and 53, Southwark Street, Grade II, 8 m away · 13 Grade II
The site itself is not listed. Listed building consent is needed for work that affects the special interest of a listed building, inside or out, on top of planning permission. Setting can be a consideration for buildings nearby; there is no fixed radius.
Show all 14 with distances
Historic England ↗
Central activities zone
The core of central London in the London Plan.
Offices, culture and the other strategic functions of the centre take priority over new housing here.
Opportunity area
Where the London Plan expects significant growth.
Boundaries are indicative and the borough holds the detailed plan.
Also on the record
Wider setting of protected view 1A.2 Alexandra Palace viewing terrace to St Paul's Cathedral; Scheduled monument 225 m away: The Globe Theatre; Inside the Southwark built-up area; Public transport access: PTAL 6b (excellent), TfL 2023, for the 100 m square.
Not affected
Not green belt

Checked on 2 November 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Planning Inspectorate, Transport for London (public transport access levels, Powered by TfL Open Data, OGL v3.0, contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2025) and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.

Building

Floor area265 m² (2,852 sq ft)
Energy ratingE (asset rating 125)
UseD2 General Assembly and Leisure plus Night Clubs and Theatres
HeatingHeating and Natural Ventilation

From the energy performance certificate lodged in November 2020, the latest held for this property. The building may have changed since. View the certificate

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Important details

Council
Southwark
Application type
Change of Use
Postcode
SE1 1RU
Received
1 Sept 2025
Validated
2 Sept 2025
Ward
Borough & Bankside
Parish
Borough, Bankside And Walworth
Case officer
Show
Target decision
22 Dec 2025
Decision
Change of Use - GRANTED
Decision date
19 Dec 2025
Decision level
Delegated Panel - Simple
Applicant
Show
Agent
Hildrey Studio

How this decision compares

Decided in 108 days from validation, 53 days slower than Southwark's median of 55 for full applications. Approved, as 87% of full applications here are.

55%decided within 8 weeks
87%approved
539decided in the last year

Plota live figures for full applications decided by Southwark in the last twelve months, from validation. Southwark decision record →

Public comments

No public comments yet.

48 neighbours consulted · Last counted 12 Oct 2026

Read the comments on the council site ↗

Consultation & key dates

Statutory expiry
27 Oct 2025
Env. assessment
No

Historical activity at this location

27 previous applications on record - archival context, not part of the live application.

This property

Previous applications at this address

2025
Display of two illuminated projecting signs, one illuminated menu box, and one hand-paint…
25/AP/2497
2025
Listed building consent for the internal and external alterations to the ground and basem…
25/AP/2496
Within ~100m

Nearby activity

2025 Refused
60 Union Street London Southwark SE1 1TD
Construction of an additional storey to accommodate 1no. new residential flat.
25/AP/0768
2025
Advert Unit A02906 Outside 69 Southwark Bridge Road London Southwark SE1 9HH
Advertisement consent for display of an internally illuminated freestanding double sided…
25/AP/1584
2025
51-53 Southwark Street London Southwark SE1 1RU
Integration of glazed protection from fall element at window level to comply with buildin…
25/AP/0435
2024 Approved
Chocolate Factory 53 Southwark Street London Southwark SE1 1RU
To integrate a new meeting room enclosure on the fourth floor, and install an additional…
24/AP/3466
2024 Approved
Wigglesworth House 69 Southwark Bridge Road London Southwark SE1 9HH
Change of use of the first floor from Class E office to Sui Generis to provide additonal…
24/AP/2212
2024 Approved
53 Southwark Street London Southwark SE1 1RU
The display of non illuminated advertisements for a temporary period of 6 months on the e…
24/AP/2750
2024 Refused
Chocolate Factory 53 Southwark Street London Southwark SE1 1RU
Temporary display of a 12.6 X 6.6 metre scaffold shroud advertisement.
24/AP/2010
2024 Refused
54-60 Union Street London Southwark SE1 1TD
Substantial refurbishment, and double storey roof extension of existing warehouse buildin…
24/AP/1155
2023 Approved
53 Southwark Street London Southwark SE1 1RU
Improvements to the listed building to bring it up to standard for continued use as Offic…
23/AP/2349
2023 Approved
53 Southwark Street London Southwark SE1 1RU
Demolition of existing internal stairs with new and adjustments to the stair core on the…
23/AP/2350
2023 Approved
Arch 33 Flat Iron Square Southwark Bridge Road London Southwark SE1 0AB
Installation of new aluminium Bi-folding and fixed crittall window within front and rear…
23/AP/0224
2023 Approved
43-47 Southwark Bridge Road London Southwark SE1 9HH
Installation of internally illuminated projecting sign.
23/AP/0563
2022 Approved
54-60 Union Street London Southwark SE1 1TD
Substantial refurbishment and single storey roof extension of existing warehouse building…
22/AP/4061
2022 Withdrawn
Highway Land Rear Of 1 Flat Iron Square London Southwark SE1 0AB
Installation of an internally illuminated freestanding double-sided digital advertisement…
22/AP/3660
2022 Withdrawn
54-60 Union Street London Southwark SE1 1TD
Substantial refurbishment and single storey roof extension of existing warehouse building…
22/AP/1777
2022 Approved
1 Flat Iron Square London Southwark SE1 0AB
Replacement of the existing painted sign to the south elevation with pin lettering and th…
22/AP/1180
2022 Approved
1 Flat Iron Square London Southwark SE1 0AB
Replacement of existing entrance doors, replacement of two existing signs and addition of…
22/AP/1139
2022 Approved
Railway Arch 24, Adjacent To 49 Southwark Street London Southwark
Construction of arch infill (No. 24), part brick part glazing to enclose the south elevat…
22/AP/0604
2021 Approved
The Menier Chocolate Factory 51-53 Southwark Street London Southwark SE1 1RU
Minor improvement works and redecoration to the facade and facade detail, replacement of…
21/AP/4618
2021 Approved
Menier Chocolate Factory 51-53 Southwark Street London Southwark SE1 1RU
Minor improvement works and redecoration to the facade and facade detail, replacement of…
21/AP/4617
2016 Approved
Ctil-141663-Tef-011646-VF-80073 Wilcox Building 42 Southwark Street London SE1 1UN
Upgrading of a rooftop mounted telecommunications base station and ancillary development
16/AP/2441
2016 Approved
6 Omeara Street London SE1 1TE
Display of projecting illuminated signage
16/AP/1989
2016 Approved
6 Omeara Street London SE1 1TE
Modifications to existing arches facade to create additional fire escape and access doors…
16/AP/1988
2016 Approved
48 Union Street London SE1 1TD
Install a new window on the first floor front elevation
16/AP/1674
2016 Approved
62-64 Union Street London SE1 1TD
Internal works including the: installation of a new staircase from ground floor to baseme…
16/AP/0659
Southwark
Planning Authority Score
7/10
Good
#64 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Change of use

Southwark is faster than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #54 out of 296. Householder applications are slightly more likely to be approved here (95%) than the national average (90%).

Faster than most councils
for householder decisions
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Southwark decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
92%
Overall approval rate
Above avg (87%) #93 of 296
95%
Householder approved
Above avg (90%) #92 of 296
78%
Decided in 8 weeks
Above avg (63%) #54 of 296
37%
Extended time limit
Below avg (41%) #122 of 296
92%
Minor dwellings approved
259 decided (1-9 homes)
86%
Major dwellings approved
14 decided (10+ homes)
82%
Change of use approved
38 decided
1,622
Total decisions
132 refused in the year to March 2026
Source: MHCLG planning statistics · See full council rankings

Energy performance: Energy performance certificates from the Energy Performance of Buildings Register, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright 2026.