The council has used Article 4 Directions to prevent developers from converting offices, storage facilities or retail units which trade out of the arches into homes without planning permission.

Councillor Mark Williams, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and New Homes, said: “The railway arches around Southwark have such great potential to be turned into busy, thriving shops, workshops, cafes or community facilities that draw people down into the borough.

"In Elephant and Castle in particular we have a vision of creating a 'low line' or series of shops and cafes in the arches that people can walk down from the river to our new town centre at the Elephant.

"Putting homes in these arches will have a direct impact on the surrounding communities as well as being wholly unsuitable locations for people to live, and the council just wants to make sure that any such proposals receive the proper consultation and consideration they should have.”

Article 4 restrictions remove permitted development rights, requiring potential developers to seek planning approval before work can begin.

The decision came after Southwark Council became aware that an arch being used for storage in Walworth was to be converted into homes through permitted developments rights. 

The council will also extend Article 4 to arches being used for ‘light industrial’ purposes from October 2017.

Consultations on the Article 4 Directions will run until 21st July 2016.