London Planning Authorities: Which Council Covers Your Property?
London has 33 local planning authorities (LPAs) — the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London Corporation. Each has its own development plan, design policies, conservation area designations, and supplementary planning guidance. The planning rules that apply to your project depend on which borough your property is in.
How to Find Your Planning Authority
The quickest way to find your borough is to search your address on the Planning Portal (planningportal.co.uk) or your postcode on the London Datastore. Most London borough websites also have a "find my council" or address search tool.
The Role of the Greater London Authority (GLA)
The Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority have a strategic role in London planning — the London Plan is the overarching strategic planning framework that all 33 LPAs must follow. However, day-to-day decisions on residential extensions, loft conversions, and refurbishments are made by the individual London Borough, not the GLA.
The GLA has the power to "call in" major applications (typically those of 50+ homes or significant commercial developments), but has no direct role in householder applications.
Key Planning Authority Contacts for Common London Areas
| Area | Borough | Council website |
|---|---|---|
| Central London (most postcodes) | City of Westminster | westminster.gov.uk |
| Brixton, Streatham | Lambeth | lambeth.gov.uk |
| Peckham, Dulwich, Bermondsey | Southwark | southwark.gov.uk |
| Clapham, Balham, Tooting | Wandsworth | wandsworth.gov.uk |
| Hackney, Stoke Newington | Hackney | hackney.gov.uk |
| Islington, Holloway | Islington | islington.gov.uk |
| Hammersmith, Fulham | Hammersmith & Fulham | lbhf.gov.uk |
| Wimbledon, Mitcham | Merton | merton.gov.uk |
| Enfield | Enfield | enfield.gov.uk |
| Croydon | Croydon | croydon.gov.uk |
| Barnet | Barnet | barnet.gov.uk |
| Bromley | Bromley | bromley.gov.uk |
| Lewisham, Brockley | Lewisham | lewisham.gov.uk |
| Greenwich, Woolwich | Greenwich | royalgreenwich.gov.uk |
Why the Borough Matters
Planning policies differ significantly between London boroughs:
- Conservation area coverage varies widely — Islington and Westminster have very high proportions, outer boroughs have less
- Article 4 directions removing PD rights are in place in many boroughs but not all, and cover different types of works
- Design guidance varies — some boroughs have detailed supplementary planning guidance on extension design, others defer to national standards
- Pre-application advice quality and speed varies significantly
RCB Design & Build
RCB Design & Build works across all London boroughs — advising clients on which planning authority applies and what borough-specific policies affect their project before any planning application is submitted.