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Planning rules are site specific. Two similar sites can be subject to different controls.
The Brent Local Plan sets out how land in the borough should be used and developed. It explains matters including:
Our planning officers must assess all applications against this plan.
Some areas are covered by Neighbourhood Plans, which add local detail on:
SPDs explain how planning policy is applied in practice.
They often cover:
Applications that fail to meet SPD guidance often need redesign or are refused
Some Supplementary Planning Documents are more likely to apply to larger or more complex developments, including new homes, flat conversions, HMOs and multi-unit schemes. Start by checking the guidance most relevant to your proposal:
This is not a full list. Other SPDs or planning guidance may apply depending on your site, proposal and location. Check the full list of Supplementary Planning Documents before preparing your application.
Depending on your site, additional controls may apply. These do not necessarily prevent development, but they do increase expectations.
Conservation areas are parts of the borough that have been given extra protection because of their historic or architectural interest — such as traditional streets, or areas with distinctive character.
If your property is in a conservation area, you may need planning permission for:
Some permitted development rights are limited or removed altogether in these areas.
To check whether your property is in a conservation area or has any further restrictions (Article 4 Directions) use our interactive planning map, or view our list of conservation areas.
If you are located within a conservation area you should also check if there is a design guide for that conservation area. Conservation area design guides contain practical advice and information to help you make repairs and improvements to your home that will help to preserve or enhance the character of the area.
A listed building is one that’s been officially recognised as being of national historic or architectural importance. The listing can cover the whole building, both inside and out, as well as attached or nearby structures such as boundary walls or outbuildings.
>> Check if you live in a listed building in Brent
If your property is listed, you’ll need Listed Building Consent from the council for any work that affects its character, whether internal or external. This usually includes:
! It’s a criminal offence to carry out work on a listed building without the necessary consent.
In some parts of the borough, extra controls apply. These are called Article 4 directions. This means that some areas of the Borough, types of work that would not normally need planning permission, do need permission.
If you live in in an area with an Article 4 Direction and carry out work without permission, you may be asked to undo the work or submit a planning application afterwards.
You can check whether an Article 4 Direction applies to your property by using the planning map. Select the Development section to see what planning rules apply to your address.
If a tree in your garden is protected by a TPO, you’ll need the council’s permission to prune, cut down or remove it.
You could be fined up £20,000 for destroying or cutting down a protected tree, or up to £2,500 for pruning a tree without written consent.
If you need to carry out work to a protected tree you will have to apply for permission via the national planning portal.
Check for trees with TPOs on our online map >>
Properties in flood risk areas may need additional drainage or flood risk assessments before development can be approved.
You can view local flood zones on our planning map or check national information via the Environment Agency’s flood map.
If your project could affect wildlife (such as bats or nesting birds), an ecological survey may be required. Our planning officers can advise on this before you apply.
