Planning Permission in Haringey
London Borough in London · Last updated April 2026
Haringey is one of North London's most diverse boroughs, stretching from the affluent, conservation-focused neighbourhoods of Highgate, Muswell Hill, and Crouch End in the west to the rapidly regenerating areas of Tottenham, Seven Sisters, and Wood Green in the east. The borough has a rich mix of Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis, inter-war housing, post-war estates, and increasingly, major new developments. This varied character means planning considerations differ enormously across the borough, from heritage-sensitive design in Crouch End to ambitious regeneration around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Planning in Haringey is governed by the adopted Local Plan, comprising the Strategic Policies (2013, with 2017 alterations), Development Management DPD (2017), Site Allocations DPD (2017), and Tottenham Area Action Plan (2017). The council is preparing a new Local Plan targeting adoption by February 2027, with Regulation 18 consultation completed in late 2025. Major regeneration programmes are underway across Tottenham, with the Wood Green/Haringey Heartlands Opportunity Area expected to deliver 4,500 new homes and 2,500 jobs. The borough's east-west divide is a defining feature of its planning landscape.
With 28 conservation areas, 285 listed buildings, 25 Article 4 direction areas, and Green Belt land around Alexandra Palace, Haringey's planning framework balances heritage protection with major growth ambitions. Whether you're extending a Victorian terrace in Stroud Green, converting a loft in Muswell Hill, or navigating the regeneration framework in Tottenham Hale, understanding the local planning rules is essential before starting any building work.
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What can I build in Haringey?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (28), Article 4 zones (25), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (28), Article 4 zones (25), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (28), Article 4 zones (25), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Only outside conservation and Article 4 areas | Properties on prominent corners or in Article 4 areas (Brantwood Road, Millmead & Lockwood) | Conservation areas (e.g. THRHC/North Tottenham, Bruce Castle, THRHC/Bruce Grove), listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Haringey outside conservation areas | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings, Article 4 areas |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Only outside conservation areas and Article 4 zones, if within size/height limits | Large outbuildings covering >50% of garden | Conservation areas (side or front), listed buildings, Green Belt |
| Porch | Most properties if within 3m² and 3m height | Properties in Article 4 areas or near highway boundary | Conservation areas with restrictions, listed buildings |
| Solar panels | Most properties (roof-mounted) | Panels protruding beyond roofline | Listed buildings, conservation areas (if visible from road) |
| Driveway / hard standing | If using permeable surfacing | Non-permeable surfacing over 5m² | Conservation areas with specific restrictions |
| Garage conversion | Most of Haringey (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Haringey's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Haringey
Permitted development rights in Haringey are affected by multiple layers of restriction. In the borough's 28 conservation areas, many works that would normally be PD — including certain extensions, roof alterations, cladding, and satellite dishes — require planning permission. Four conservation areas (Noel Park, Peabody Cottages, Tower Gardens, and Rookfield) have specific Article 4 directions that protect original architectural features including windows, doors, and boundary walls. Additionally, an HMO Article 4 direction (since November 2013) requires planning permission for conversions from single dwellings to small HMOs in 14 eastern wards. An office-to-residential Article 4 direction (since June 2021) restricts Class MA conversions in growth areas and town centres. A warehouse-to-residential direction (since July 2017) covers 16 designated employment areas. The House Extensions in South Tottenham SPD provides specific guidance for that area, including 3 approved methods for roof-level extensions.
What Haringey expects from your project
Haringey's design policies are set out in the Development Management DPD (2017), particularly policies DM1 (Delivering High Quality Design), DM5 (Locally Significant Views and Vistas), DM6 (Building Heights), and DM7 (Development on Infill, Backland and Garden Land Sites). Policy DM7 includes a presumption against development that results in loss of garden land, which affects outbuilding and garden room proposals. The House Extensions in South Tottenham SPD (2013) is the only area-specific extensions guide, covering 3 approved methods for roof-level extensions. Unlike some London boroughs, Haringey does not have a borough-wide householder extensions design guide. Pre-application advice for householder proposals starts at £100 (general advice) or £480 for full planning advice with a meeting. Express written advice is available for £300. Basement proposals cost £844 for pre-app.
Local design guidance
Development Management DPD Design Policies
Published 2017Local Plan: Haringey Local Plan
The Haringey Local Plan was adopted in July 2017, comprising the Development Management DPD and Site Allocations DPD alongside the Core Strategy (2013). The plan supports growth at Tottenham and Wood Green. The London Plan (2021) also applies.
Emerging / replacement plan
Haringey is preparing a new Local Plan. A Regulation 18 Issues and Options consultation ran in 2022, and a Regulation 19 Pre-Submission consultation took place in 2024.
28 conservation areas
Haringey 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.
25 Article 4 directions
Haringey has applied Article 4 directions to 25 areas, which remove certain permitted development rights in those zones. Use our free checker to see if your property is affected.
Conservation areas in Haringey
28 designated conservation areas
Haringey has 28 conservation areas reflecting the borough's varied architectural heritage. The western borough includes prestigious designations such as Highgate (London's oldest CA, designated 1967), Muswell Hill (outstanding Edwardian shopping parades), Crouch End (Victorian and Edwardian character), and Alexandra Palace and Park (Grade II listed building and registered park). In the east, the Tottenham High Road Historic Corridor comprises five linked conservation areas (North Tottenham, Scotland Green, Bruce Grove, Tottenham Green, and Seven Sisters/Page Green). Other notable designations include Noel Park (Grade II listed Victorian cottage estate), Bowes Park, Stroud Green, and the recently designated Vallance Road (2008). The borough contains 285 listed buildings — 6 Grade I, 21 Grade II*, and 258 Grade II — including Alexandra Palace itself and Bruce Castle (Grade I, Tudor mansion and museum).
Article 4 directions in Haringey
25 Article 4 direction areas
Listed buildings in Haringey
There are 285 listed buildings in Haringey. 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 Haringey's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Haringey received 1,476 planning applications and decided 1,422 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 86.8% is below 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.
Haringey's planning approval rate stands at 86.8%, very close to the national average of 86.9%. The council processed 1,422 planning decisions in the year to September 2025, of which 705 were householder applications — achieving a strong 95.9% on-time determination rate. With a Housing Delivery Test score of 99% (4,032 homes delivered against a 4,066 requirement), the council just meets the HDT threshold with no consequences. The exceptionally high delegation rate of 99.2% means virtually all householder applications are decided by planning officers, typically resulting in faster decisions. The emerging new Local Plan (targeting adoption February 2027) will set ambitious housing targets for the borough through to 2036.
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 Haringey
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Haringey expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Haringey'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 Haringey
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Haringey delivered 4,032 homes against a requirement of 4,066 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 99%. This is above the 95% threshold, which means there are no government-imposed consequences for housing under-delivery. Planning applications in Haringey are assessed on their own merits under standard planning policies.
Lawful Development Certificates in Haringey
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Haringey 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.
Haringey decided 705 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 95.9% 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 Haringey
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Haringey'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
Haringey 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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Approval rates, decision patterns, Article 4 directions, fees & timelines, and council-specific tips for Haringey.
Pre-application advice in Haringey
Haringey offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is £100 inc VAT (general advice); £480 inc VAT (householder planning advice with meeting); £300 inc VAT (express written advice, no meeting). You can typically expect a response within Meeting within 10 working days; written advice within 20 working days after meeting.
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.
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Check your PD rights now →No free pre-application advice, but free online guidance is available for common projects (rear extensions, loft conversions, windows/doors, HMOs, change of use). Householder general advice (£100) provides a brief consultation. Full householder planning advice (£480) includes background research, online meeting, and written record. Express written advice (£300) provides quicker turnaround without a meeting. Basement proposals cost £844. On-site visits cost an additional £230.
Planning fees and timelines in Haringey
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning permission | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Full planning permission (no new dwellings) | £548 | 8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Conservation area consent (demolition) | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval (larger home extension) | £120 | 42 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Haringey and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Haringey
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 Haringey is provided by Haringey Building Control. You can use the council's in-house building control service or a private approved inspector. Fee payments can be made by phone on 020 8489 1000 (option 8). You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Fees depend on the type and scale of work. Contact the team for a quote.
Haringey planning department
Your building project checklist for Haringey
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Haringey has 28 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Haringey has 25 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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