Lewisham conservation question

[Wispy Wonder]

By 'really fussy and bureaucratic', do you mean do they actually do their jobs? I can't help you there but looking around the area, it's fair to say probably not. That said, the whole point of a conservation area is to preserve it's design and/or historic integrity for the whole community. Since many people care about conservation areas, it might be better to come clean about the railings and windows, rather than have someone drop you in it.