Guides
London Planning & Cost Guides
Straight answers on planning permission, costs and building regulations for London homeowners — written by chartered technologists.
How Much Do Planning Drawings Cost in London? (2026)
What planning drawings cost in London in 2026 — fixed-fee ranges for permitted development, full planning and building regs packages, and what drives the price.Loft Conversion Cost in London (2026 Guide)
2026 loft conversion costs in London — dormer, mansard and hip-to-gable price ranges, drawing and approval fees, and how to keep the whole project on budget.How Much Does a House Extension Cost in London? (2026)
2026 house extension costs in London — single and double-storey, side-return, wraparound and kitchen extensions, plus drawing, planning and building-regs fees explained.Permitted Development in London, Decoded (2026)
What permitted development actually covers in London — extension and loft limits, why a Lawful Development Certificate matters, and where Article 4 removes your rights.Building Control in London: A Survival Guide (2026)
How building control works in London — Full Plans vs Building Notice, the inspections that matter, and why building regs are separate from planning permission.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion in London? (2026)
When a London loft conversion is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — volume limits, dormers, conservation areas and Article 4, explained.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Rear Extension in London? (2026)
When a London rear extension is permitted development, when Prior Approval applies, and when you need full planning permission — depth limits, height and Article 4, explained.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garage Conversion in London? (2026)
When a London garage conversion is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — internal vs external works, Article 4, flats and building regs, explained.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Side Return Extension in London? (2026)
When a London side return extension is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — side vs wraparound, width and height limits, conservation areas.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Basement Conversion in London? (2026)
When a London basement conversion is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — cellar conversion vs new-dig basement, lightwells, and building regs.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Two-Storey Extension in London? (2026)
When a London two-storey extension is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — rear and side depth, height, the 7m boundary rule and neighbour impact.Do I Need a Lawful Development Certificate in London? (2026)
When you need a Lawful Development Certificate for a London home project — how an LDC proves permitted development, what it costs in time, and why lenders and buyers ask for one.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Change of Use in London? (2026)
When a London change of use needs planning permission and when the Use Classes Order allows it — commercial to residential, HMOs, offices to flats and prior approval, explained.Do I Need Planning Permission for an HMO in London? (2026)
When a London HMO needs planning permission — small C4 vs large sui generis HMOs, Article 4 directions, licensing, and why the planning and licensing systems are separate.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garden Room in London? (2026)
When a London garden room or outbuilding is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — height, curtilage, boundary and use limits, and the sleeping rule.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Driveway in London? (2026)
When a London driveway or front-garden hardstanding needs planning permission — the 5m² permeable-surface rule, dropped kerbs, and why the two approvals are separate.Do I Need a Party Wall Agreement in London? (2026)
When the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to a London home project — the notices, the 3m and 6m rules, and why a party wall award is separate from planning permission.Do I Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels in London? (2026)
When roof and ground solar panels are permitted development in London and when they need planning permission — the 200mm projection rule, conservation areas and listed buildings.How Long Does Planning Permission Take in London? (2026)
The real timeline for planning permission in London — the 8-week and 13-week statutory targets, prior approval and lawful-development periods, and what actually causes delay.Do I Need Building Regulations Approval in London? (2026)
When a London home project needs building regulations approval — the difference from planning permission, full plans vs building notice, and why a completion certificate matters.What Happens If You Build Without Planning Permission in London? (2026)
The real consequences of building without planning permission in London — enforcement notices, the time limits for immunity, retrospective applications and how to put it right.Do I Need Planning Permission to Convert a House into Flats in London? (2026)
Converting a London house into flats almost always needs planning permission — the change of use, space and amenity standards, and the building regs that make or break a conversion.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Fence or Wall in London? (2026)
When a London fence, wall or gate needs planning permission — the 2m and 1m height rules next to a highway, conservation areas, listed buildings and boundary responsibilities.How Much Do Architectural Drawings Cost in London? (2026)
What architectural and planning drawings actually cost in London in 2026 — fixed fees by project type, the three package tiers, and why drawing fees are not build costs.What's Included in an Architectural Drawings Package? (London)
Exactly what a London architectural drawings package includes — planning drawings, building regulations drawings, structural calculations and construction detail, and what each set contains.Loft Conversion Types Explained: A London Homeowner's Guide
Compare loft conversion types London homeowners actually build — rooflight, dormer, hip-to-gable, mansard and L-shaped. Space, cost, PD vs planning explained.Side Return vs Wraparound Extension: A London Homeowner's Guide
Side return vs wraparound extension London compared — footprint, light, cost bands, permitted development vs planning and party wall implications for terraces.Planning Drawings vs Building Regulations Drawings: The London Homeowner's Guide
Planning drawings vs building regulations drawings explained for London homes: what each set contains, who approves them, the order they come in, and how a coordinated package works.How Long Does a Loft Conversion Take in London? The Full Timeline
How long does a loft conversion take in London? The full week-by-week timeline: design and drawings, planning or LDC, building regs, party wall and the build itself, plus what causes delays.Architect vs Architectural Technologist in London: Who Should Draw Your Extension?
Architect vs architectural technologist in London explained: roles, chartered bodies, who can submit planning and building-regs drawings, and typical fees for a home extension or loft.How to Get Planning Permission in London: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to get planning permission in London, step by step: check permitted development and Article 4, survey, drawings, pre-app, submit via the Planning Portal, validation, consultation and decision.Dormer Loft Conversion Cost in London (2026 Guide)
What a dormer loft conversion costs in London in 2026 — realistic build, drawing and council-fee ranges, what drives the price, and how to budget without surprises.Basement Conversion Cost in London (2026 Guide)
What a basement conversion costs in London in 2026 — realistic build, drawing and council-fee ranges, what drives the price, and how to budget without surprises.Mansard Loft Conversion Cost London: A 2026 Price Guide
What does a mansard loft conversion cost in London in 2026? Illustrative build ranges, drawings and planning fees, and why mansards almost always need full planning.Garage Conversion Cost London: A 2026 Price Guide
What does a garage conversion cost in London in 2026? Illustrative build ranges, drawings and building-regs fees, and when you need planning permission.Side Return Extension Cost in London (2026 Guide)
What a side return extension costs in London in 2026 — build price per m², glazing and kitchen fit-out, plus drawings, planning and building-regs fees explained.HMO Conversion Cost in London (2026 Guide)
What an HMO conversion costs in London in 2026 — build works, licensing fees, Article 4 change-of-use planning, and the space and amenity standards that drive the budget.Conservation Area Extension Rules in London (2026)
How conservation area status changes what you can build in London — removed permitted development, dormers, materials, roof forms and rooflights, plus how to win approval.Article 4 Directions in London, Explained (2026)
What an Article 4 direction is, how it removes permitted development in London, how to check if your address is covered, and what it means for your extension or conversion.Basement Conversion Planning Permission in London (2026)
When a London basement conversion needs planning permission and when it is permitted development — lightwells, front excavations, party wall, structure and building regs explained.Two-Storey Side Extension Planning Permission in London (2026)
When a two-storey side extension needs planning permission in London, why permitted development rarely covers it, and how the 45-degree daylight test and matching materials decide approval.What Is a Measured Building Survey? (London Guide, 2026)
What a measured building survey London is, what it captures, the laser and point-cloud methods used, when you need one, and how it feeds accurate planning and building-regs drawings.New Build House Planning Permission in London (2026 Guide)
How to get new build house planning permission in London in 2026 — infill and backland plots, garden land, the policy and design tests, pre-app, the drawing set required and typical timeline.The Planning Appeal Process in London After a Refusal (2026)
Refused planning permission in London? A clear 2026 guide to the planning appeal process — PINS routes, the householder deadline, grounds, costs and whether to resubmit instead.Larger Home Extension Prior Approval in London (2026 Guide)
A 2026 guide to the larger home extension prior approval route in London — the 6m and 8m permitted development limits, the neighbour consultation scheme, evidence and timescales.Listed Building Consent in London: The Complete 2026 Guide
How listed building consent works in London — what Grade I, II* and II mean, when consent is needed for internal and external works, penalties, and the drawing set required.How to Discharge Planning Conditions in London (2026 Guide)
A practical 2026 guide to the discharge of planning conditions in London — pre-commencement versus standard conditions, the approval-of-details application, fees, timescales and why starting early is risky.Community Infrastructure Levy in London: The Complete 2026 Guide
How the Community Infrastructure Levy works in London in 2026 — which developments trigger CIL, Mayoral vs borough charges, self-build and householder exemptions, and how to claim them.Structural Calculations Explained: A London Homeowner's Guide
What structural calculations are, when a London project needs them — steel beams, load-bearing walls, loft floors, extensions — and how they pair with building-regulations drawings and Building Control.How Much Does a Rear Extension Cost in London? (2026)
What a single-storey rear extension costs in London in 2026 — build cost per sqm, drawing and planning fees, structural, party wall, VAT, and what swings the price.Wraparound Extension Cost in London (2026): The Honest Numbers
What a wraparound (L-shaped rear plus side-return) extension really costs in London in 2026: build cost per sqm, glazing, steel, planning, party wall and totals.Do I Need Planning Permission for an Outbuilding in London?
When a London garden office, gym or studio needs planning permission — the real Class E permitted development limits, Article 4 and conservation traps, and building regs.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Porch in London?
When a London porch needs planning permission and when Class D permitted development covers it — the 3sqm, 3m height and 2m boundary limits, plus building regs.Retrospective Planning Permission in London: How It Works (2026)
How retrospective planning permission works in London — the s73A application process, the new 10-year enforcement rule, certificates of lawfulness, and the drawings you need.Tree Preservation Orders and Planning in London: What Protected Trees Mean for Your Extension
How Tree Preservation Orders and conservation-area trees affect London extensions — checking the TPO register, the 6-week notice, Root Protection Areas and penalties for illegal felling.What Is a Design and Access Statement? A London Homeowner's Guide
What a Design and Access Statement is, when your London planning application needs one, what it must cover under the DMPO 2015, and how a strong DAS wins approval.Planning Enforcement in London: What Happens If You Build Without Permission
How planning enforcement works in London — the council's notices and powers, the new 10-year time limit, how to appeal, and how to regularise unauthorised work.Which Trades Do You Need for a London Renovation? (2026)
Which trades a London renovation needs, the order they work in, what each one must be registered with, and why the drawings have to come before any of them.
What planning drawings cost in London in 2026 — fixed-fee ranges for permitted development, full planning and building regs packages, and what drives the price.Loft Conversion Cost in London (2026 Guide)
2026 loft conversion costs in London — dormer, mansard and hip-to-gable price ranges, drawing and approval fees, and how to keep the whole project on budget.How Much Does a House Extension Cost in London? (2026)
2026 house extension costs in London — single and double-storey, side-return, wraparound and kitchen extensions, plus drawing, planning and building-regs fees explained.Permitted Development in London, Decoded (2026)
What permitted development actually covers in London — extension and loft limits, why a Lawful Development Certificate matters, and where Article 4 removes your rights.Building Control in London: A Survival Guide (2026)
How building control works in London — Full Plans vs Building Notice, the inspections that matter, and why building regs are separate from planning permission.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Loft Conversion in London? (2026)
When a London loft conversion is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — volume limits, dormers, conservation areas and Article 4, explained.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Rear Extension in London? (2026)
When a London rear extension is permitted development, when Prior Approval applies, and when you need full planning permission — depth limits, height and Article 4, explained.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garage Conversion in London? (2026)
When a London garage conversion is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — internal vs external works, Article 4, flats and building regs, explained.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Side Return Extension in London? (2026)
When a London side return extension is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — side vs wraparound, width and height limits, conservation areas.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Basement Conversion in London? (2026)
When a London basement conversion is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — cellar conversion vs new-dig basement, lightwells, and building regs.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Two-Storey Extension in London? (2026)
When a London two-storey extension is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — rear and side depth, height, the 7m boundary rule and neighbour impact.Do I Need a Lawful Development Certificate in London? (2026)
When you need a Lawful Development Certificate for a London home project — how an LDC proves permitted development, what it costs in time, and why lenders and buyers ask for one.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Change of Use in London? (2026)
When a London change of use needs planning permission and when the Use Classes Order allows it — commercial to residential, HMOs, offices to flats and prior approval, explained.Do I Need Planning Permission for an HMO in London? (2026)
When a London HMO needs planning permission — small C4 vs large sui generis HMOs, Article 4 directions, licensing, and why the planning and licensing systems are separate.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garden Room in London? (2026)
When a London garden room or outbuilding is permitted development and when it needs planning permission — height, curtilage, boundary and use limits, and the sleeping rule.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Driveway in London? (2026)
When a London driveway or front-garden hardstanding needs planning permission — the 5m² permeable-surface rule, dropped kerbs, and why the two approvals are separate.Do I Need a Party Wall Agreement in London? (2026)
When the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to a London home project — the notices, the 3m and 6m rules, and why a party wall award is separate from planning permission.Do I Need Planning Permission for Solar Panels in London? (2026)
When roof and ground solar panels are permitted development in London and when they need planning permission — the 200mm projection rule, conservation areas and listed buildings.How Long Does Planning Permission Take in London? (2026)
The real timeline for planning permission in London — the 8-week and 13-week statutory targets, prior approval and lawful-development periods, and what actually causes delay.Do I Need Building Regulations Approval in London? (2026)
When a London home project needs building regulations approval — the difference from planning permission, full plans vs building notice, and why a completion certificate matters.What Happens If You Build Without Planning Permission in London? (2026)
The real consequences of building without planning permission in London — enforcement notices, the time limits for immunity, retrospective applications and how to put it right.Do I Need Planning Permission to Convert a House into Flats in London? (2026)
Converting a London house into flats almost always needs planning permission — the change of use, space and amenity standards, and the building regs that make or break a conversion.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Fence or Wall in London? (2026)
When a London fence, wall or gate needs planning permission — the 2m and 1m height rules next to a highway, conservation areas, listed buildings and boundary responsibilities.How Much Do Architectural Drawings Cost in London? (2026)
What architectural and planning drawings actually cost in London in 2026 — fixed fees by project type, the three package tiers, and why drawing fees are not build costs.What's Included in an Architectural Drawings Package? (London)
Exactly what a London architectural drawings package includes — planning drawings, building regulations drawings, structural calculations and construction detail, and what each set contains.Loft Conversion Types Explained: A London Homeowner's Guide
Compare loft conversion types London homeowners actually build — rooflight, dormer, hip-to-gable, mansard and L-shaped. Space, cost, PD vs planning explained.Side Return vs Wraparound Extension: A London Homeowner's Guide
Side return vs wraparound extension London compared — footprint, light, cost bands, permitted development vs planning and party wall implications for terraces.Planning Drawings vs Building Regulations Drawings: The London Homeowner's Guide
Planning drawings vs building regulations drawings explained for London homes: what each set contains, who approves them, the order they come in, and how a coordinated package works.How Long Does a Loft Conversion Take in London? The Full Timeline
How long does a loft conversion take in London? The full week-by-week timeline: design and drawings, planning or LDC, building regs, party wall and the build itself, plus what causes delays.Architect vs Architectural Technologist in London: Who Should Draw Your Extension?
Architect vs architectural technologist in London explained: roles, chartered bodies, who can submit planning and building-regs drawings, and typical fees for a home extension or loft.How to Get Planning Permission in London: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to get planning permission in London, step by step: check permitted development and Article 4, survey, drawings, pre-app, submit via the Planning Portal, validation, consultation and decision.Dormer Loft Conversion Cost in London (2026 Guide)
What a dormer loft conversion costs in London in 2026 — realistic build, drawing and council-fee ranges, what drives the price, and how to budget without surprises.Basement Conversion Cost in London (2026 Guide)
What a basement conversion costs in London in 2026 — realistic build, drawing and council-fee ranges, what drives the price, and how to budget without surprises.Mansard Loft Conversion Cost London: A 2026 Price Guide
What does a mansard loft conversion cost in London in 2026? Illustrative build ranges, drawings and planning fees, and why mansards almost always need full planning.Garage Conversion Cost London: A 2026 Price Guide
What does a garage conversion cost in London in 2026? Illustrative build ranges, drawings and building-regs fees, and when you need planning permission.Side Return Extension Cost in London (2026 Guide)
What a side return extension costs in London in 2026 — build price per m², glazing and kitchen fit-out, plus drawings, planning and building-regs fees explained.HMO Conversion Cost in London (2026 Guide)
What an HMO conversion costs in London in 2026 — build works, licensing fees, Article 4 change-of-use planning, and the space and amenity standards that drive the budget.Conservation Area Extension Rules in London (2026)
How conservation area status changes what you can build in London — removed permitted development, dormers, materials, roof forms and rooflights, plus how to win approval.Article 4 Directions in London, Explained (2026)
What an Article 4 direction is, how it removes permitted development in London, how to check if your address is covered, and what it means for your extension or conversion.Basement Conversion Planning Permission in London (2026)
When a London basement conversion needs planning permission and when it is permitted development — lightwells, front excavations, party wall, structure and building regs explained.Two-Storey Side Extension Planning Permission in London (2026)
When a two-storey side extension needs planning permission in London, why permitted development rarely covers it, and how the 45-degree daylight test and matching materials decide approval.What Is a Measured Building Survey? (London Guide, 2026)
What a measured building survey London is, what it captures, the laser and point-cloud methods used, when you need one, and how it feeds accurate planning and building-regs drawings.New Build House Planning Permission in London (2026 Guide)
How to get new build house planning permission in London in 2026 — infill and backland plots, garden land, the policy and design tests, pre-app, the drawing set required and typical timeline.The Planning Appeal Process in London After a Refusal (2026)
Refused planning permission in London? A clear 2026 guide to the planning appeal process — PINS routes, the householder deadline, grounds, costs and whether to resubmit instead.Larger Home Extension Prior Approval in London (2026 Guide)
A 2026 guide to the larger home extension prior approval route in London — the 6m and 8m permitted development limits, the neighbour consultation scheme, evidence and timescales.Listed Building Consent in London: The Complete 2026 Guide
How listed building consent works in London — what Grade I, II* and II mean, when consent is needed for internal and external works, penalties, and the drawing set required.How to Discharge Planning Conditions in London (2026 Guide)
A practical 2026 guide to the discharge of planning conditions in London — pre-commencement versus standard conditions, the approval-of-details application, fees, timescales and why starting early is risky.Community Infrastructure Levy in London: The Complete 2026 Guide
How the Community Infrastructure Levy works in London in 2026 — which developments trigger CIL, Mayoral vs borough charges, self-build and householder exemptions, and how to claim them.Structural Calculations Explained: A London Homeowner's Guide
What structural calculations are, when a London project needs them — steel beams, load-bearing walls, loft floors, extensions — and how they pair with building-regulations drawings and Building Control.How Much Does a Rear Extension Cost in London? (2026)
What a single-storey rear extension costs in London in 2026 — build cost per sqm, drawing and planning fees, structural, party wall, VAT, and what swings the price.Wraparound Extension Cost in London (2026): The Honest Numbers
What a wraparound (L-shaped rear plus side-return) extension really costs in London in 2026: build cost per sqm, glazing, steel, planning, party wall and totals.Do I Need Planning Permission for an Outbuilding in London?
When a London garden office, gym or studio needs planning permission — the real Class E permitted development limits, Article 4 and conservation traps, and building regs.Do I Need Planning Permission for a Porch in London?
When a London porch needs planning permission and when Class D permitted development covers it — the 3sqm, 3m height and 2m boundary limits, plus building regs.Retrospective Planning Permission in London: How It Works (2026)
How retrospective planning permission works in London — the s73A application process, the new 10-year enforcement rule, certificates of lawfulness, and the drawings you need.Tree Preservation Orders and Planning in London: What Protected Trees Mean for Your Extension
How Tree Preservation Orders and conservation-area trees affect London extensions — checking the TPO register, the 6-week notice, Root Protection Areas and penalties for illegal felling.What Is a Design and Access Statement? A London Homeowner's Guide
What a Design and Access Statement is, when your London planning application needs one, what it must cover under the DMPO 2015, and how a strong DAS wins approval.Planning Enforcement in London: What Happens If You Build Without Permission
How planning enforcement works in London — the council's notices and powers, the new 10-year time limit, how to appeal, and how to regularise unauthorised work.Which Trades Do You Need for a London Renovation? (2026)
Which trades a London renovation needs, the order they work in, what each one must be registered with, and why the drawings have to come before any of them.