Planning Permission in Bexley
London Borough in London · Last updated April 2026
Bexley is a London Borough in Southeast London, covering suburban residential areas from Erith and Crayford in the east to Sidcup and Welling in the south. The borough is known for its spacious interwar semis, tree-lined streets, and Green Belt land along its southern boundary. If you're planning building work in Bexley, this guide covers everything you need — from permitted development rights to the planning application fees you'll pay.
Bexley has 31 conservation areas protecting historic neighbourhoods like Old Bexley, Erith Riverside, and Foots Cray. There are no Article 4 directions in place, so your permitted development rights are only restricted if you live in a conservation area. The borough also has areas of Green Belt along its southern and eastern fringes, where development is more tightly controlled.
Whether you're looking at a rear extension, loft conversion, or garden outbuilding, the rules depend on where your property sits. Read on for the specific rules, fees, and contacts for planning in Bexley.
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What can I build in Bexley?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-storey rear extension (up to 4m / 8m with prior approval) | Yes, if within size limits | Prior approval if 4–8m (detached) or 4–6m (other) | If in conservation area or exceeds limits |
| Two-storey rear extension (up to 3m deep) | Yes, outside conservation areas | Check distance to boundary ≥7m | If in conservation area |
| Side extension (up to half width of original house) | Yes, if single storey outside conservation area | Matching materials required | If two storey, or in conservation area |
| Loft conversion with rear dormer | Yes, outside conservation areas (within 40/50m³ limit) | Check dormer doesn't face highway | If in conservation area or terrace/flat |
| Outbuilding / summer house | Yes, if ≤50% garden covered and within height limits | Max 2.5m at eaves, 4m ridge (dual pitch) | If in front garden or conservation area (some types) |
| New driveway / hardstanding | Yes, if permeable surface or drains to garden | Permeable paving or soakaway | If impermeable and drains to road |
| Solar panels (roof-mounted) | Yes, if not protruding >200mm from roof plane | Check not on listed building | If in conservation area on principal elevation |
| Replacement windows | Yes, like-for-like outside conservation areas | Building regs approval (Part L compliance) | If in conservation area or listed building |
| Garden fence/wall (up to 2m / 1m by highway) | Yes, if within height limits | Check listed building status | If over 2m or next to highway over 1m |
| Porch (up to 3m², 3m high) | Yes, if within size limits | Building regs if enclosed and heated | If larger than 3m² or in conservation area |
This is general guidance based on Bexley's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Bexley
Permitted development rights in Bexley follow the standard national rules. Outside conservation areas, you can typically build a single-storey rear extension up to 4 metres (or up to 8 metres with prior approval for detached houses), add a porch, install solar panels, or build a garden outbuilding without planning permission — as long as you stay within the size limits. If your home is in one of Bexley's 31 conservation areas, your rights are more restricted. You'll need planning permission for rear dormers, cladding, most satellite dishes on front elevations, and some types of outbuilding. Bexley has no Article 4 directions, so these conservation area restrictions are the main extra hurdle. Use our free planning permission checker to see what applies to your property.
What Bexley expects from your project
Most of Bexley's housing stock dates from the 1920s to 1950s, with large estates of semi-detached and detached houses in brick with hipped or half-hipped roofs. The borough's Design Guide SPD (Part 1, adopted January 2025) and Local Plan Policy SP5 set out what the council expects from new extensions and alterations. Key principles include matching roof forms and pitches to the existing house, using facing materials (typically London stock or red brick) that complement the streetscene, and keeping extensions subordinate to the original building. For rear extensions in the suburban heartlands of Sidcup, Bexleyheath, and Welling, the council expects you to maintain a reasonable garden depth and avoid overshadowing neighbouring properties. If you're in a conservation area like Old Bexley or Foots Cray, the council places extra emphasis on preserving the historic roofline and front boundary treatments.
Local design guidance
Design Guide SPD Part 1: Design Principles
Adopted 2025Local Plan: Bexley Local Plan
The Bexley Local Plan was adopted in March 2023, replacing the Core Strategy (2012) and saved UDP policies. The plan focuses on growth in Bexleyheath, Erith and along the Thames waterfront. The London Plan (2021) also applies as part of the statutory development plan.
31 conservation areas
Bexley has a high number of conservation areas. Check whether your property falls within one before starting any work — conservation area status significantly restricts what you can do without planning permission.
Conservation areas in Bexley
31 designated conservation areas
Bexley's 31 conservation areas protect neighbourhoods with historic or architectural interest. Key areas include Old Bexley (a medieval village centre), Erith Riverside (Victorian and Edwardian waterfront), Foots Cray (surrounding the Grade I listed All Saints Church), Halfway Street, and Red House Lane (home to William Morris's Red House, now a National Trust property). If your home is in a conservation area, you'll need planning permission for works that would otherwise be permitted development — including rear dormers, cladding, and certain outbuildings. You should also get consent before removing or pruning significant trees. Check Bexley's online planning map or contact the planning team to confirm whether your property is in a conservation area.
Article 4 directions in Bexley
4 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Bexley
There are 115 listed buildings in Bexley. If your property is listed, permitted development rights are significantly restricted. Most external and many internal alterations will require listed building consent, which is separate from planning permission. Always check with Bexley's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Bexley received 1,370 planning applications and decided 1,336 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 88.4% is above the national average of 86.9%. Major applications are expected to be decided within 13 weeks, while householder and other non-major applications have an 8-week target. The “in time” figures include decisions made within agreed extensions of time.
Bexley approved 88.4% of planning applications in the year ending September 2025 — above the national average of 86.9%. The council decided 98.7% of householder applications within the 8-week target, and 100% of major applications on time. These figures suggest a well-performing planning service. If your application is well-prepared and follows local design guidance, you have a strong chance of approval. Use our planning permission checker to see whether you need to apply, or consider getting a Lawful Development Certificate to confirm your project is permitted development.
If your project complies with permitted development rules, you don't need to worry about approval rates — a Lawful Development Certificate is a factual assessment, not a judgment call.
Recent planning applications in Bexley
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Bexley expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Bexley's portal →Data from MHCLG planning application register. Search for householder applications (H01/H02) to see extensions and loft conversions in your area.
Housing delivery in Bexley
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Bexley delivered 1,939 homes against a requirement of 1,826 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 106%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Bexley are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Bexley
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Bexley that your project is lawful under permitted development rules. It is not legally required before you build, but it is the only official document that proves your project did not need planning permission. Most solicitors will ask for one when you come to sell, remortgage, or insure your property.
Bexley decided 971 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 98.7% is above the national average of 93%, which suggests LDC applications are likely to be processed on time. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Bexley
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Bexley's website. You will need to submit:
- A completed application form (available on the Planning Portal)
- A site location plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500 scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations
- A written description of the proposed works and how they comply with the GPDO 2015
- The application fee of £258
Bexley must issue a decision within 8 weeks. If the application is approved, the certificate is a permanent legal record that the development is lawful. If refused, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate or amend your project and reapply.
Need help preparing your LDC application?
Our Permitted Development Certificate Report gives you a full PD eligibility assessment, property constraints check, and application checklist tailored to your address and project — so you can apply with confidence.
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£49Bexley Local Authority Report
Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Bexley.
Pre-application advice in Bexley
Bexley offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is Written advice from £153 (householder); meeting with officer from £354 (householder). Fees increase for larger or commercial schemes.. You can typically expect a response within 15 working days for written advice; meetings arranged within 20 working days.
Pre-app advice is worth paying for if your project is borderline, your property is in a conservation area, or your home is a listed building.
Think your project might be permitted development?
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Check your PD rights now →Pre-application advice is optional but recommended, especially if your property is in a conservation area or near Green Belt. Bexley offers written-only and meeting options. A meeting with a planning officer lets you discuss design options before committing to a full application.
Planning fees and timelines in Bexley
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder extension/alteration | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning (minor – up to 9 dwellings) | £610 per dwelling | 8 weeks |
| Full planning (major – 10+ dwellings) | £610 per dwelling (1–9 units); £659 per dwelling (10–50 units) | 13 weeks |
| Prior approval (larger rear extension) | £120 | 42 days |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Tree works in conservation area | Free | 6 weeks |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Bexley and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Bexley
Building regulations approval is separate from planning permission. Most extensions, loft conversions, and structural alterations need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
Building control in Bexley is provided by Bexley Building Control. You can use either Bexley's in-house building control team or an approved inspector. Most householder projects like extensions and loft conversions need a building control application even if they don't need planning permission. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
| Work type | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| Single-storey rear extension (plan check) | From £295 |
| Single-storey rear extension (inspections) | From £350 |
| Regularisation (retrospective) | Higher than standard — contact for quote |
Building control fees depend on the type and size of your project. Contact Bexley Building Control for a personalised quote.
Bexley planning department
Your building project checklist for Bexley
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Bexley has 31 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Bexley has 4 Article 4 areas. Check your address.
- Check if your property is listed — search the Historic England list.
- Use our free PD checker to see if your project qualifies as permitted development — Check now.
- Consider a Lawful Development Certificate if PD applies — it protects you when selling. Learn more about LDCs or get your PD Certificate Report.
- Consider pre-application advice if planning permission is needed — see the pre-application section above.
- Check building regulations — most extensions and loft conversions need building regs approval even if they don't need planning permission.
- Check Party Wall Act obligations if building near a boundary — read our Party Wall guide or use our free Party Wall tool.
- Notify your home insurer about planned building work.
- Get at least 3 quotes from builders and check their credentials.
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