Permitted Development Rights

Permitted Development Rights allow some alterations and developments to properties without the need to make a formal planning application to the Council. They usually allow small alterations, for example the erection of walls and fences below a certain height, or painting the outside of a building.

They also allow small extensions, porches, alterations to roofs and the erection of outbuildings / garages in rear gardens to single houses. However, these Permitted Development rights do not apply to flats/maisonettes.

For detailed advice on Permitted Development Rights refer to the Planning Portal.

In a few specific locations in conservation areas, the Council may wish to prevent some of these minor activities happening on some premises to preserve the character and appearance of the area.

In these instances, an 'Article 4 Direction' may be made to remove some of the permitted development rights.  There are eight areas within Westminster affected by Article 4 Directions removing some permitted development rights. These are listed below, together with the works for which planning permission is specifically required in each case, and the date of the direction.

Abbey Gardens, NW8 (1-47 odd and 2-56 even)

Alterations to facades facing the highway (including parts not visible from street level); erection or alteration of gates, fences etc.; the erection or alteration of a building in the curtilage; painting of the exterior, except doors.

Date of direction: December 1969.

Bridstow Place, W2 (1-27 all)

Alterations to facades; erection or alteration of gates, fences etc.; the erection of a building or hardstanding in the curtilage; means of access to the highway; painting of facades.

Date of direction: May 1975.

Bristol Gardens, W9 (1-37 odd)

Enlargement or material alteration of dwelling house; construction of outbuildings or hardstandings, erection of means of enclosure, means of access to highway; painting of buildings.

Date of direction: September 1981.

Moncorvo Close, SW7 (6-10 all)

Enlargement or improvement of any part of the dwelling house or the erection or alteration of a building in the curtilage.

Date of direction: December 1984.

Queen's Park Estate, W10 (Most properties)

Alterations to facades, visible from the highway; erection of a porch; change of roof materials or colour; erection of domestic oil storage tanks where visible from the highway; erection of gates, fences etc. visible from the highway; painting of the exterior visible from the highway (including boundary walls, fences, gates etc.); installation, alteration or replacement of a satellite antenna visible from the highway.

Date of direction: November 1992

Relton Mews, SW7 (1, 4, 8, 11, 12 and 13)

Painting or repainting of the exterior.

Date of direction: January 1993.

Relton Mews, SW7 (4)

Enlargement, improvement or other alterations.

Date of direction: January 1993.

Sussex Gardens, W2 (Garden areas fronting 168-208 even)

Erection or alteration of the means of enclosure of the gardens.

Date of direction: August 1982.