Planning Permission & Building Regulations — Fulham
Planning is where most Fulham projects gain or lose three months. These answers cover the national rules, and — importantly — where Hammersmith and Fulham's conservation areas mean the national rules do not apply to your house.
What size extension can I build without planning permission?
Under permitted development, a single-storey rear extension can be up to 3m deep on a terraced or semi-detached house, or 4m on a detached house — doubling to 6m and 8m under the prior approval process. These rights do not apply in conservation areas or to flats, which covers a significant part of Fulham.
Read the full answerCan I do a 3 metre extension without planning permission?
Usually yes on a terraced or semi-detached house, provided it meets every other permitted development condition and the property is not a flat or in a conservation area. We would still recommend applying for a Lawful Development Certificate to prove it, which costs around £145 and protects you when you sell.
Read the full answerHow close can an extension be to a boundary?
An extension can be built right up to the boundary, but if it is within 2m of it the eaves height must not exceed 3m to stay within permitted development. Building on or near the boundary also triggers the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, which requires formal notice to your neighbour.
Read the full answerWhat is the 50% extension rule?
Permitted development requires that extensions and outbuildings together cover no more than 50 percent of the land around the original house. 'Original' means as built, or as it stood in 1948 — so previous owners' extensions count against your allowance, even if you did not build them.
Read the full answerWhat is the 10 year rule for loft conversion?
The 10 year rule refers to planning enforcement time limits: a change of use that has continued for 10 years without enforcement action generally becomes immune from it. For a loft conversion, the relevant limit is 4 years for operational building work — but immunity from planning enforcement does not fix a missing building regulations certificate.
Read the full answerDo I need planning permission for a loft conversion?
A rear dormer within permitted development limits — 40m³ of added volume on a terraced house, 50m³ on a semi or detached, nothing forward of the front roof plane — usually does not need planning permission. A mansard, a front dormer, or any conversion in a conservation area normally does.
Read the full answerDo I need a party wall agreement?
You need to serve notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 if you are building on or at the boundary, cutting into a shared wall to insert beams, or excavating within 3m of a neighbour's foundations to a greater depth. On a Fulham terrace, almost every extension and loft conversion triggers it.
Read the full answerIs my Fulham home in a conservation area?
Hammersmith and Fulham has a number of designated conservation areas, including the Peterborough Estate at Parsons Green. You can check any address free on the council's planning map. In a conservation area, permitted development rights are restricted and some are removed entirely by Article 4 direction.
Read the full answerWhat is the difference between planning permission and building regulations?
Planning permission governs whether you may build something — its size, appearance and impact on neighbours. Building regulations govern how it must be built — structure, fire safety, insulation, drainage and ventilation. They are separate approvals and you frequently need both.
Read the full answerThinking about a project?
Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back with an honest view on cost, timescale and what is achievable at your address.