Following a Freedom of Information request, Lewisham Council has confirmed that the new Chief Planning Officer, Michael Forrester and the powerful Head of Development Management, David Robinson are acting up in their respective roles.
These two positions are crucial to the effective running of the planning process across the London Borough of Lewisham as they have the statutory responsibilities to discharge the Council’s planning functions. On 1st June 2026, new Statutory Guidance has been published to reinforce this.
Interestingly, the organogram for the borough’s planning team states that the responsibility for planning policy does not directly report to the Chief Planning Officer but that he is answerable to Nnenna Urum-Eke described as the Interim Director of Inclusive Regeneration.
In their response Lewisham Council states that the Senior Conservation Officer responsible for the formal assessments of local historic buildings, conservation areas, and heritage assets does not report to the Chief Planning Officer directly either.
All the planning officers come under the Executive Director for Place, Steve Evison. In planning circles there has been a debate about the need for Chief Planning Officers to report to the Chief Executive directly in order to give councils independent professional planning advice.
In terms of good governance, the number of posts marked as ‘interim’ or ‘acting’ is not ideal. Hopefully, permanent appointments will follow soon. Delivery of the borough’s ambitious plans for Catford, Deptford and Lewisham depend upon it.