Planning Permission in Slough
Unitary Authority in South East · Last updated April 2026
Slough is a compact urban borough in east Berkshire, with a diverse economy anchored by the Slough Trading Estate — Europe's largest industrial estate. While primarily known for modern commercial development, the borough has 5 conservation areas, 104 listed buildings, and Metropolitan Green Belt around its fringes. The Colnbrook and Upton Court Park conservation areas contain the most significant heritage assets.
The borough faces significant planning challenges, with high housing demand and acute delivery pressures. Slough's approval rate of 76.8% is notably lower than the national average, reflecting the complexity of development proposals in a constrained urban area.
Slough approved 76.8% of planning applications in the year ending September 2025, with 651 decisions from 683 applications. Housing delivery at just 58% triggers the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
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What can I build in Slough?
| Project type | Likely permitted development | May need planning permission | Likely needs planning permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear extension (single storey) | Most of Slough outside protected zones | Properties near boundaries or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (5), listed buildings |
| Rear extension (two storey) | Most of Slough outside protected zones, if within 3m limit | Check distance to boundary ≥7m or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas (5), listed buildings |
| Side extension | Detached houses outside protected zones | Semi-detached properties (half-width rule) | Conservation areas (5), listed buildings |
| Loft conversion (dormer) | Houses outside conservation areas | Properties on prominent corners or Green Belt fringe areas | Conservation areas, listed buildings, flats |
| Loft conversion (Velux/rooflight) | Most of Slough | Front-facing rooflights in conservation areas | Listed buildings |
| Outbuilding / garden office | Most of Slough outside protected 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 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 Slough (internal works) | If changing external appearance significantly | Listed buildings |
This is general guidance based on Slough's planning constraints. Your specific property may differ — use our free PD checker to get a result tailored to your address.
Permitted development in Slough
Slough's permitted development framework is relatively straightforward, with only 5 conservation areas and no Article 4 directions. However, the Metropolitan Green Belt around the borough's fringes restricts extensions and new building in those areas. The compact urban fabric and high-density housing mean boundary distances and amenity impacts are key considerations. Many householder applications involve extensions to inter-war and post-war semi-detached houses.
What Slough expects from your project
Local design guidance
Residential Extensions Design Guide
Local Plan: Slough Local Plan 2021
Slough Borough Council has faced significant financial difficulties, and its development plan is based on saved policies from the 2004 Local Plan. A new Slough Local Plan was under preparation but progress has been significantly impacted by the council's section 114 notice in 2021.
Emerging / replacement plan
Preparation of a new Slough Local Plan has been delayed by the council's financial recovery programme. A revised timetable for plan preparation is expected once the financial position stabilises, likely 2026 or later.
76.8% approval rate
Slough's planning approval rate is below the national average of 86.9%. If your project needs planning permission, consider pre-application advice before submitting — it significantly reduces refusal risk.
Conservation areas in Slough
5 designated conservation areas
Slough's 5 conservation areas cover the historic village centres that predate the borough's modern development. Colnbrook conservation area retains its medieval village character near the M25. Upton Court Park is a historic landscape. The council protects these areas through standard conservation area controls, with particular attention to maintaining the contrast between these historic enclaves and the surrounding modern development.
Article 4 directions in Slough
1 Article 4 direction area
Listed buildings in Slough
There are 104 listed buildings in Slough. 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 Slough's conservation team before starting any work on a listed property.
Planning application statistics
Year ending September 2025 | Source: MHCLG planning application statistics
Slough received 683 planning applications and decided 651 in the year ending September 2025. The approval rate of 76.8% 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.
Slough approved 76.8% of applications in the year ending September 2025 with a 98.8% delegation rate. Major applications achieved 86.7% on-time performance, but householder applications were decided on time in only 80.9% of cases. The council processed 651 decisions from 683 applications, with 451 being householder. Housing delivery at 58% triggers the NPPF presumption in favour of sustainable 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 Slough
Browse what's been approved near you
Seeing what similar projects have been approved near your property can help you understand what Slough expects in terms of scale, materials, and design. It's also useful for gauging how quickly the council processes applications.
Search planning applications on Slough'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 Slough
Housing Delivery Test 2023 measurement | Source: MHCLG
Slough delivered 1,326 homes against a requirement of 2,286 over the three-year measurement period, giving a Housing Delivery Test score of 58%. This is well below the 75% threshold, which triggers the most significant consequence: the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” (also called the “tilted balance”). This means planning applications for housing should be approved unless the harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. For homeowners, this is a strong signal — Slough is under considerable pressure to approve housing, making it one of the more favourable environments for residential planning applications in England.
Lawful Development Certificates in Slough
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is formal confirmation from Slough 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.
Slough decided 451 householder applications in the year ending september 2025. Their 8-week performance of 80.9% is below the national average of 93%, so LDC applications may take longer than the 8-week target. LDC applications follow the same 8-week statutory determination period as householder planning applications.
How to apply for an LDC in Slough
You can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate through the Planning Portal or directly through Slough'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
Slough 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 Slough.
Pre-application advice in Slough
Slough offers a pre-application advice service. The fee for householder pre-app advice is From £60 for householder proposals.
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?
Check in 2 minutes with our free tool — no sign-up needed.
Check your PD rights now →Pre-application advice for householder and commercial developments within the Slough Borough area.
Planning fees and timelines in Slough
| Application type | Fee | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Householder planning application | £528 | 8 weeks |
| Full planning permission | £610 per dwelling | 8-13 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (proposed) | £264 | 6-8 weeks |
| Lawful Development Certificate (existing) | £298 | 6-8 weeks |
| Listed building consent | Free | 8 weeks |
| Prior approval | £120 | 56 days |
| Discharge of conditions | £145 per request | 8 weeks |
| Non-material amendment | £44 | 28 days |
Fees are set nationally and correct as of April 2026. Pre-application fees are set by Slough and may change. Building regulations fees are separate — see the building control section below.
Building regulations in Slough
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 Slough is provided by Slough Building Control. You can also use a private approved inspector instead of the council's service.
Building control contact
Slough planning department
Your building project checklist for Slough
- Check if your property is in a conservation area — Slough has 5 conservation areas. Use our free checker or see the list above.
- Check for Article 4 directions at your address — Slough has 1 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.
Nearby planning authorities
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