Top Considerations When Planning a Home Extension in London’s Diverse Boroughs

Shorplan Developments
4 days ago
3 min read

Planning a home extension in London requires navigating complex local regulations, varied borough guidelines, and strict planning considerations that differ across the capital. Whether you’re in Croydon, Hackney, Wandsworth, or any other borough, every area has its own rules governing the size, style, and design of extensions.

With Shorplans’ 20+ years of architectural experience, deep borough-specific knowledge, and a 97% planning approval rate, we help homeowners secure planning permission smoothly and design extensions that elevate your living space.

Let’s break down the key factors to consider when planning a house extension in London.

Rear Extension build to extende kitchen and living space — Rear Extension To Extend Kitchen and Living Space

Navigating Planning Permission for Home Extensions in London

Securing planning permission for a home extension in London is one of the most important early steps. Each borough has its own policies, design controls and requirements. Explore architects near me to find the local policies relevant to your area.

Understanding Local Borough Regulations

Local regulations directly impact the scale and feasibility of your extension. Failing to comply can lead to delays or outright refusals. Before designing your extension:

Check whether your project qualifies under permitted development rights or requires full planning permission.
Review the local guidelines for your borough to understand height restrictions, materials, boundary considerations, and architectural style.
Assess how your extension could impact your neighbours, in terms of light, privacy, or character.
Tailor your design to blend with the existing architectural feel of your area.

Early clarity gives you a smoother, faster path to approval and reduces costly redesigns.

Working With Council Requirements in London Boroughs

London councils often emphasise neighbourhood character, safety, and design harmony. Taking a proactive approach significantly increases your chances of getting planning permission.

How to Successfully Engage with Your Local Council

Start with a pre-application enquiry. This helps you get early feedback from the council.
Submit professionally drawn plans prepared by experienced architects.
Address any issues such as overlooking, overshadowing, or design coherence.
Prepare high-quality planning drawings for submission.

Getting the technical details right early with input from RIBA-accredited architects can help reduce resubmissions, speeding up approval.

Importance of Bespoke Design for Your London Home Extension

A successful extension in London is more than just extra space; it’s about quality, functionality, and context.

Tailoring Your Extension to Your Needs and Lifestyle

Think carefully about what the additional space is for: a kitchen-diner, side-return, loft conversion, or home office.
Consider how light moves through your home and where you realistically need space most.
Design for future needs, not just now.
Bring inspiration to architect meetings, whether from friends’ homes or online design guides, to ensure your design is both personal and practical.

Leveraging London-Based Architectural Expertise

Working with architects in London who know your borough inside-out makes a big difference, especially when dealing with planning policies and building character.

Our local architect experts at Shorplans Developments understand:

Borough planning policies
Heritage constraints and conservation requirements
The right materials to use for planning success
Common pitfalls that lead to refusals

That’s why working with a London-based RIBA Chartered Architect is invaluable.

Choosing the Right Architectural Partner for Your London Extension

Why RIBA Chartered Architects Matter

RIBA Chartered Architects bring professionalism, high design standards, and a deep understanding of planning processes. Choosing them ensures:

High-quality, compliant designs
Accurate planning and building-regulation drawings
Better communication with your local council
Efficient project delivery

Why Choose Shorplans for Your Home Extension in London

Shorplans offers an end-to-end architectural service in London:

RIBA-accredited architects who know London’s planning landscape
Structural engineering services for extension work
Party wall expertise, including notices and awards under the Party Wall Act
High planning success rate (97%) backed by two decades of experience
Local borough knowledge
Architect services in Hackney for extensions
Architect services in Wandsworth, with deep understanding of Wandsworth planning policy