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

25/AP/2496 - Listed Building Consent Approved

Proposal

Listed building consent for the internal and external alterations to the ground and basement levels of the Grade II listed Menier Chocolate Factory, 53 Southwark Street, to enable a restaurant and bar fit-out. Data via plota.co.uk

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View original council record ↗Last checked 13 Oct 2026, 06:33

Street View

Application progress

✓

Received

1 Sept 2025

✓

Validated

2 Sept 2025

✓

Approved

18 Nov 2025

Approved on 18 Nov 2025 · Delegated Panel - Simple · Last checked 12 Oct 2026

Documents 66

Decision & officer reports 53

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 Named permitted development rights are withdrawn here.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

8 m51 and 53, Southwark StreetGrade II
45 m62 and 64, Union StreetGrade II
45 m49, Southwark StreetGrade II
46 mRoman Catholic Church of the Most Precious Blood, Presbytery, Forecourt Walls and ShrineGrade II
63 m55-59, Thrale StreetGrade II
77 m59 and 61, Union StreetGrade II
78 mPair of cast iron bollardsGrade II
98 mNumber 52 and Attached RailingsGrade II
118 mCromwell Building Numbers 5-24 and Attached RailingsGrade II
125 m31-37, Union StreetGrade II
134 mWhitecross CottagesGrade II
137 mMosaic roundel at Octavia House
138 mMosaic Roundel at Octavia HouseGrade II
138 mRedcross CottagesGrade II

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: Listed Building Consent
Postcode: SE1 1RU
Received: 1 Sept 2025
Validated: 2 Sept 2025
Ward: Borough & Bankside
Parish: Borough, Bankside And Walworth
Case officer: Show
Target decision: 21 Nov 2025
Decision: Listed Building Consent - GRANTED
Decision date: 18 Nov 2025
Decision level: Delegated Panel - Simple
Applicant: Show
Agent: Hildrey Studio

How this decision compares

Decided in 77 days from validation, 26 days slower than Southwark's median of 51 for listed building works. Approved, as 93% of listed building works here are.

This one77d

Council51d

UK57d

63%decided within 8 weeks

93%approved

224decided in the last year

Plota live figures for listed building works decided by Southwark in the last twelve months, from validation. Southwark decision record →

Public comments

1comment received

1 supporting

44 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 1 Sep 2025

2025

External alterations to enable a restaurant and wine bar fit-out.

25/AP/2495 1 Sep 2025

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 9 Sep 2025

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 29 May 2025

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 17 Feb 2025

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 20 Jan 2025

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 4 Dec 2024

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 14 Nov 2024

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 22 Aug 2024

2024 Refused

54-60 Union Street London Southwark SE1 1TD

Substantial refurbishment, and double storey roof extension of existing warehouse buildin…

24/AP/1155 17 Jun 2024

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 28 Feb 2024

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 11 Dec 2023

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 11 May 2023

2023 Approved

43-47 Southwark Bridge Road London Southwark SE1 9HH

Installation of internally illuminated projecting sign.

23/AP/0563 26 Apr 2023

2022 Approved

54-60 Union Street London Southwark SE1 1TD

Substantial refurbishment and single storey roof extension of existing warehouse building…

22/AP/4061 14 Mar 2023

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 18 Jan 2023

2022 Withdrawn

54-60 Union Street London Southwark SE1 1TD

Substantial refurbishment and single storey roof extension of existing warehouse building…

22/AP/1777 25 Nov 2022

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 8 Jun 2022

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 8 Jun 2022

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 23 May 2022

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 1 Apr 2022

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 31 Mar 2022

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 20 Jul 2016

2016 Approved

6 Omeara Street London SE1 1TE

Display of projecting illuminated signage

16/AP/1989 15 Jul 2016

2016 Approved

6 Omeara Street London SE1 1TE

Modifications to existing arches facade to create additional fire escape and access doors…

16/AP/1988 13 Jul 2016

2016 Approved

48 Union Street London SE1 1TD

Install a new window on the first floor front elevation

16/AP/1674 23 Jun 2016

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 5 May 2016

Southwark

Planning Authority Score

7/10

Good

#64 of 296 councils

Relevant to this application:

Other decisions

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

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.

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

Proposal

Application progress

Documents 66

Decision & officer reports 53

Statements & assessments 3

Plans & drawings 1

Application forms 1

Consultation & comments 1

Other documents 7

Site constraints 14

Building

Other new applications on this street

Nearby new applications

Important details

How this decision compares

Public comments

Consultation & key dates

Previous applications at this address

Nearby activity