Do I need planning permission for an extension or loft conversion in Redbridge?

Short answer: many rear extensions and loft conversions on houses in Redbridge do not need a full planning application. They can go ahead under permitted development rights, as long as they stay inside national limits. Flats, maisonettes and many homes in conservation areas are different. Building Regulations apply in every case. Always confirm your property with the London Borough of Redbridge planning team before you start.

This guide explains the general rules for houses in England. It is not legal advice. Rules change, and a past planning condition or local direction can remove rights from a single house or a whole street.

What is permitted development?

Permitted development (PD) is a national grant of planning permission for certain types of work. It comes from the General Permitted Development Order. If your project fits the limits, you do not need to apply for planning permission. If it goes over any one limit, you do.

PD rights belong to houses. They are measured against the "original house". That means the house as it was first built, or as it stood on 1 July 1948 if it is older. Extensions added by earlier owners count towards your limits, even if you did not build them.

Some houses have lost their PD rights. This happens when a planning condition removed them, often on newer estates, or when the council made an Article 4 direction for the area. Check your property's planning history before you rely on PD.

Rear extensions (Class A)

Single-storey rear extensions are the most common PD project. The main limits are:

• Depth: up to 3 m beyond the rear wall of the original house for a semi-detached or terraced house. Up to 4 m for a detached house.
• Height: no more than 4 m high for a single-storey rear extension.
• Near a boundary: if the extension is within 2 m of a boundary, the eaves must be no higher than 3 m.
• Roof line: the eaves and ridge must be no higher than those of the existing house.
• Garden coverage: extensions and outbuildings together must not cover more than half the land around the original house.
• Materials: exterior materials must look similar to the existing house.
• No balconies or verandas: verandas, balconies and raised platforms are not permitted development.

Going deeper: the larger home extension scheme

You can build a deeper single-storey rear extension through the prior approval process. The limit rises to 6 m for a semi-detached or terraced house and 8 m for a detached house. You notify the council before you build. The council tells your neighbours, and they can comment on the effect on their amenity. The council then decides whether prior approval is needed and given. Do not start until you have the council's answer. This route is not available on land in a conservation area.

Two-storey rear extensions

A rear extension of more than one storey has tighter limits. It must not extend more than 3 m beyond the rear wall of the original house. It must be at least 7 m from the boundary opposite the rear wall. Upper-floor windows in a side wall must be obscure-glazed and must not open below 1.7 m above the floor. Two-storey PD extensions are not allowed in conservation areas.

Side extensions

A side extension can be permitted development if it is single storey, no more than 4 m high, and no wider than half the width of the original house. It must not sit forward of a side wall that faces a road. Side extensions are not permitted development in conservation areas. Anything at the front of the house, beyond the principal elevation, needs planning permission.

Many semi-detached and terraced houses in Ilford, Gants Hill and Barkingside have a side return. A side-return infill that wraps round to the rear often goes beyond the PD limits, so check the design carefully. Our house extensions page explains how we plan these.

Loft conversions and dormers (Class B)

Most loft conversions on houses can be permitted development. The rules for adding to the roof are:

• Volume: no more than 40 m³ of extra roof space on a terraced house, or 50 m³ on a semi-detached or detached house. Earlier roof additions count towards this.
• Front of the house: no extension beyond the plane of the existing roof slope on the principal elevation that faces a highway. In practice, rear dormers are usually fine and front dormers usually need permission.
• Height: nothing higher than the highest part of the existing roof.
• Materials: similar in appearance to the existing house.
• No balconies: verandas, balconies and raised platforms are not allowed.
• Side windows: obscure-glazed, and non-opening unless the opening part is more than 1.7 m above the floor.
• Set back: apart from hip-to-gable work, the dormer should be set back at least 20 cm from the original eaves, as far as practicable.

Roof-light-only conversions change the roof very little and are often the simplest route. Mansard conversions usually need full planning permission. See our loft conversions page for the types we build.

Conservation areas and Article 4 directions

Parts of Redbridge are in conservation areas. In a conservation area, PD rights are reduced. Side extensions, two-storey rear extensions, cladding and the larger home extension scheme are not permitted development there. Loft additions under Class B are not permitted development on conservation-area land either.

An Article 4 direction lets the council remove specific PD rights in a defined area. Where one applies, you need planning permission for work that would otherwise be allowed. Listed buildings need listed building consent for most works, inside and out. The council's website has maps of conservation areas and Article 4 directions.

Flats and maisonettes

Flats and maisonettes do not have householder permitted development rights for extensions or loft conversions. You need planning permission. You will usually also need the freeholder's consent under your lease.

Building Regulations always apply

Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate. Planning is about how a building looks and how it affects neighbours. Building Regulations are about how it is built: structure, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, drainage and stairs. Every extension and loft conversion needs Building Regulations approval, even when it is permitted development.

You can use the council's building control service or a registered building control approver. At the end you should receive a completion certificate. Keep it safe. Your buyer's solicitor will ask for it when you sell.

Lawful Development Certificate

A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a formal decision from the council that your planned work is lawful without a planning application. It is not compulsory for PD work. It is strongly worth having. It removes doubt before you build, and it answers the question a buyer's solicitor will ask later. You apply to the council with drawings and pay a fee.

Party Wall notices

The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is separate from planning. If your work affects a shared wall or boundary, you must serve notice on the neighbour before you start. This covers, for example:

• cutting into a party wall to insert steel beams for a loft or extension;
• building a new wall on the boundary line;
• digging foundations within 3 m of a neighbour's building, and deeper than their foundations (6 m in some cases).

Notice periods are two months for work to a party wall and one month for new boundary walls and excavations. If the neighbour does not agree, party wall surveyors are appointed to settle an award. Most semi-detached and terraced extensions and lofts in Ilford need at least one party wall notice.

A simple checklist before you build

1. Check whether your home is a house, a flat or a maisonette.
2. Check the planning history for conditions that removed PD rights.
3. Check whether you are in a conservation area or an Article 4 area.
4. Measure your design against the limits above, from the original house.
5. Apply for prior approval, an LDC or full planning permission as needed.
6. Arrange Building Regulations approval.
7. Serve party wall notices in good time.

The final word on your property always rests with the London Borough of Redbridge planning service. If you live in a neighbouring borough, such as Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Waltham Forest or Newham, ask that council instead.

How we can help

We build extensions, loft conversions, garage conversions and full renovations across Redbridge and East London. We check the planning position with you before we quote. Starting prices are on our price list; every job is confirmed after a free survey with a written quote. Call 07774 944042 to book one.

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Visit or contact us

SK Design & Construct Ltd, 6 Spurway Parade, Woodford Avenue, Ilford IG2 6UU. Call or WhatsApp 07774 944042 or email info@skdesignconstructltd.com. Registered in England and Wales, company number 16582978.