Home extension plans in Bromley

Your local planning authority

Planning permission in Bromley: what to expect

Your local planning authority is the London Borough of Bromley. It's the largest borough in Greater London by area — 59 square miles — and the majority of it sits within the Metropolitan Green Belt, covering nearly all the land south of the A232–A21 route between West Wickham and Pratt's Bottom. Applications are decided against the Bromley Local Plan (adopted 2019, with a review under way — a Direction of Travel was published in July 2025) and the Urban Design Guide SPD adopted in July 2023. Householder applications carry the standard statutory determination period of eight weeks.

A few Bromley-specific points worth knowing before you sketch anything:

• Side space is strictly applied. Under Policy 8, a two-storey side extension normally needs at least 1m from the side boundary for its full height and length, and a set-back from the front of the house to avoid a 'terracing' effect.
• Flat-roofed two-storey side extensions are usually resisted on houses with traditional pitched roofs, unless well set back and unobtrusive.
• Extensions must stay subservient to the main house in scale and form (Policy 6), respecting its style and materials.
• Green Belt plots face an extra test: extensions must not be disproportionate to the original dwelling.

Conservation areas and Article 4 directions

Bromley has numerous conservation areas, including in Chislehurst, Crystal Palace and Bromley town centre, where Policy 41 requires development to preserve or enhance the area's character. Permitted development rights are further restricted in places: since 19 July 2022, an Article 4 direction covering the Petts Wood Area of Special Residential Character has removed Class B and Class C rights — so roof enlargements such as dormers, and other roof alterations, need planning permission there rather than going through as permitted development. The Chislehurst Road Conservation Area has a similar direction covering Class C roof alterations. If your street falls in one of these areas, it changes the route your project takes — we check this for you before anything is drawn.

What's included

House extension plans Bromley builders can price from

Our drawings aren't just for the council. The Standard package — the one most homeowners choose for a typical extension or loft — includes planning drawings, building regulations drawings, structural calculations, a build-ready specification, three rounds of unlimited changes, a detailed build cost breakdown, and party wall notice letters. We submit to the London Borough of Bromley on your behalf and handle the council's replies until you have a decision.

Common questions

Bromley planning & extensions FAQ

Do you cover Bromley?

Yes. We work remotely with homeowners across England and Wales, and Bromley is one of the London boroughs we draw in every week.

Which council handles my Bromley planning application?

The London Borough of Bromley is your local planning authority. We submit to them on your behalf and deal with their questions until a decision is issued — householder applications have a statutory eight-week determination period.

Do I need planning permission for an extension in Bromley?

Not always. In England, a single-storey rear extension can be permitted development up to 3m deep on a semi or terrace and 4m on a detached house, or 6m and 8m under the larger home extension prior approval route, with a 4m height limit and no more than half the land around the original house covered. Bromley's conservation areas and the Petts Wood and Chislehurst Road Article 4 directions cut those rights back, so we check your address before drawing anything.

Do you visit homes in Bromley?

We don't need to. Your home is measured with our 3D Home Scan™ digital survey and you review the designs with us over video calls, which is why the price is the same wherever you are.

How much does it cost in Bromley?

A fixed price from Price confirmed in your proposal, or three monthly instalments with no interest or credit checks. Bromley's own application fee is paid separately to the council.

Do you handle building regulations in Bromley?

Yes — the Standard package includes building regulations drawings, structural calculations and a build-ready specification alongside the planning drawings, so your builder can price and build from the same set. See building regs drawings.