The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove MP, has issued an Article 31 holding directive to Lambeth Council after they approved a controversial planning application for the re-development of the former ITV studios on Upper Ground.

This means that the Council are temporarily frozen from granting planning permission whilst Michael Gove considers whether to ‘call-in’ the planning application for his own determination.

Whilst this is a positive development, an Article 31 Directive does not mean that the Secretary of State has decided to call in the application. It simply prevents planning permission from being granted whilst Michael Gove and the National Planning Casework Unit, which advises him, consider the matter.

The Secretary of State can call a matter in any time before planning permission is issued. This process is separate from but concurrent with Sadiq Khan, London Mayor’s consideration.

The action group #SOS Save Our South Bank of local social housing residents and stakeholders in SE1 are united in their opposition to the extremely unpopular proposals.

This group has been building momentum over 12 months to bring this local issue to national attention through TV, radio, social media, press, community action and petition.

ACTION YOU CAN TAKE: People are encouraged to express opposition to the redevelopment plans by writing directly to the following decision makers asking them to ‘call-in’ the planning application. - Michael Gove, Secretary of State correspondence@communities.gov.uk - Sadiq Khan, London Mayor mayor@london.gov.uk

Please Cc: Local MP Florence Eshalomi MP florence.eshalomi.mp@parliament.uk (Vauxhall) and Neil Coyle MP (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) neil.coyle.mp@parliament.uk