Written by Sam JonesReviewed by UK Planning Guide Editorial ReviewLast reviewed Reviewed on rolloutSource basis National planning baseline, local authority context and page-specific tripwires.Verify if Stop and verify when the proposal is close to a limit, affected by special controls or expensive to get wrong.
Area Planning Guidance

Planning Permission In Greater London

Use this area hub when the search is really about planning permission in Greater London and the next step depends on choosing the right council, project guide or planning topic first. It is built to turn a broad county-level query into the local route most likely to answer it properly.

Jump to what matters

Use This Area Page In The Order That Saves You Time

Start with the quick area summary for Greater London Use the fastest council, topic and tool routes first Open project hubs if the build type is already clear Check the rules that most often change the answer Compare the live local authorities in this area Use the trust notes if the route still feels mixed
Area overview

How To Use The Greater London Planning Pages

What usually works best

Start with the project type first, then narrow the answer by local planning authority. This keeps a broad 'Greater London planning' search short, practical and tied to the live local route.

What this area page adds

It brings together 33 local authority areas so you can move from the broad rule to the right council context without guessing.

Best next step

  • Use the project guides when the build type is the main question.
  • Use the council links when local restrictions or local policy may change the answer.
  • Use topic hubs when one specific rule is blocking progress more than the place itself.
Start here in this planning area

The Fastest Local Routes For Greater London Searches

Council path

Open a council guide first

Best when the search is really about planning permission in Greater London and the local authority layer is likely to change the answer.

View council guide
Local topic path

Open planning permission in a live authority area

Use the local topic layer when the route question matters more than one exact project type.

Open local topic page
FAQ path

Read the route-level answer

Useful when the user intent is still broad and needs narrowing before choosing a project or council page.

Read answer
Tool path

Run the quick planning tool

Use the tool for a first-pass route check before moving into the more detailed local pages.

Open tool
Decision guide

When This Area Page Is Enough And When You Should Go More Local

This page usually works best when

  • The search is still broad and you are deciding which council or project page deserves attention first.
  • You want to compare the planning area before committing to one local authority route.
  • The real blocker is choosing the right next page, not settling the full site-specific answer here.

Pause and go narrower when

  • One specific council area already matters more than the wider county picture.
  • A conservation area, Article 4, listed building issue or exact measurement is driving the uncertainty.
  • The proposal is financially important enough that a broad area summary is no longer a safe stopping point.

What usually settles it faster

  • Open the matching local authority page from the 33 live council routes below.
  • Pair the council page with the exact project guide or topic page that fits the job.
  • If the scheme is close to a limit, use drawings and written confirmation rather than relying on comparison alone.

Project Guides People Usually Need First

Area project hub

Agricultural Building Planning Permission

Compare agricultural building guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Annexe Planning Permission

Compare annexe guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Basement Conversion Planning Permission

Compare basement conversion guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Change of Use Planning Permission

Compare change of use guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Demolition Planning Permission

Compare demolition guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Dormer Extension Planning Permission

Compare dormer extension guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Driveway Planning Permission

Compare driveway guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Dropped Kerb Planning Permission

Compare dropped kerb guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Fence and Wall Planning Permission

Compare fences and walls guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Garage Conversion Planning Permission

Compare garage conversion guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Garage Planning Permission

Compare garage guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Garden Room Planning Permission

Compare garden room guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Hard Surfacing Planning Permission

Compare hard surfacing guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Heat Pump Planning Permission

Compare heat pump guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

HMO Planning Permission

Compare hmo guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

House Extension Planning Permission

Compare house extension guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Loft Conversion Planning Permission

Compare loft conversion guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Outbuildings Planning Permission

Compare outbuildings guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Porch Planning Permission

Compare porch guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Rear Extension Planning Permission

Compare rear extension guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Rooflight Planning Permission

Compare rooflight guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Side Extension Planning Permission

Compare side extension guidance across the councils in Greater London.

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Area project hub

Single Storey Extension Planning Permission

Compare single storey extension guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Solar Panel Planning Permission

Compare solar panels guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Temporary Building Planning Permission

Compare temporary building guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Two Storey Extension Planning Permission

Compare two storey extension guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Windows and Doors Planning Permission

Compare windows and doors guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Area project hub

Wraparound Extension Planning Permission

Compare wraparound extension guidance across the councils in Greater London.

Compare this project
Rules that often change the answer

Planning Topics That Commonly Decide The Next Step Across Greater London

Topic hub

Planning Permission

Useful when this is the rule most likely to decide whether a project in Greater London needs permission or a closer check before you narrow into one council page.

Open topic
Topic hub

Depth Limits

Useful when this is the rule most likely to decide whether a project in Greater London needs permission or a closer check before you narrow into one council page.

Open topic
Topic hub

Height Limits

Useful when this is the rule most likely to decide whether a project in Greater London needs permission or a closer check before you narrow into one council page.

Open topic
Topic hub

Boundary Distance Rules

Useful when this is the rule most likely to decide whether a project in Greater London needs permission or a closer check before you narrow into one council page.

Open topic
Topic hub

Permitted Development Rights

Useful when this is the rule most likely to decide whether a project in Greater London needs permission or a closer check before you narrow into one council page.

Open topic
Topic hub

Article 4 Restrictions

Useful when this is the rule most likely to decide whether a project in Greater London needs permission or a closer check before you narrow into one council page.

Open topic

Choose the Right Local Planning Authority

Local authority page

Barking and Dagenham

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Barnet

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Bexley

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Brent

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Bromley

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Camden

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

City of London

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Croydon

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Ealing

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Enfield

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Greenwich

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Hackney

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Hammersmith and Fulham

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Haringey

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Harrow

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Havering

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Hillingdon

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Hounslow

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Islington

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Kensington and Chelsea

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Kingston upon Thames

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Lambeth

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Lewisham

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Merton

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Newham

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Redbridge

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Richmond upon Thames

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Southwark

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Sutton

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Tower Hamlets

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Waltham Forest

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Wandsworth

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide
Local authority page

Westminster

Open the council guide, local restriction context and priority project checks.

View council guide

Nearby Planning Areas

Area comparison

Bedfordshire

Compare nearby planning-area guidance when the local layer is still uncertain.

Compare area
Area comparison

Berkshire

Compare nearby planning-area guidance when the local layer is still uncertain.

Compare area
Area comparison

Buckinghamshire

Compare nearby planning-area guidance when the local layer is still uncertain.

Compare area
Area comparison

Cambridgeshire

Compare nearby planning-area guidance when the local layer is still uncertain.

Compare area
Area comparison

Cornwall

Compare nearby planning-area guidance when the local layer is still uncertain.

Compare area
Area comparison

County Durham

Compare nearby planning-area guidance when the local layer is still uncertain.

Compare area
Trust and caveats

How To Use This Area Guide Well

This guide summarises planning permission guidance across Greater London. It helps you reach the right local authority and the right project guide faster, while staying clear about what still needs site-specific confirmation under the English planning system. It is strongest as a comparison and routing page, not as the final permission answer for one exact site.

Useful for

  • Choosing the right council path quickly.
  • Comparing project hubs across the planning area.
  • Finding the topic hubs most likely to change the answer.

Still worth verifying

  • Exact dimensions and site coverage.
  • Whether local designations affect the property.
  • Whether a borderline scheme needs written confirmation.
Updated April 2026