Planning Permission in
Barking & Dagenham
Fast, affordable planning drawings and full council submission —
handled by experts familiar with Barking & Dagenham’s planning policies.
SMARTePLANS® Experts in Planning!
T (0800) 6122 067
Email: team@smarteplansuk.com
SMARTePLANS®
167-169 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5PF
Planning in Barking and Dagenham
Barking & Dagenham Council applies specific planning rules through the Local Plan, Characterisation Study, and Article 4 Directions in areas such as Barking Town Centre and Becontree.
We prepare council‑ready drawings that meet local validation requirements, including:
- Scaled floor plans
- Elevations
- Site location plans
- Design & Access Statements (where required)
Planning Permission in Barking & Dagenham
The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham is one of the fastest changing areas in East London, combining large scale regeneration with established suburban neighbourhoods. From the historic areas of Barking Town Centre and Abbey Green to the residential communities of Dagenham, Becontree, Chadwell Heath, and Rush Green, the borough offers homeowners significant opportunities to extend, modernise, and reconfigure their homes. However, Barking & Dagenham also has a clear and structured planning framework, meaning proposals must be carefully prepared to meet the council’s expectations around design, neighbour amenity, and character preservation.
Whether you’re planning a rear extension, loft conversion, garage conversion, outbuilding, or internal reconfiguration, Barking & Dagenham requires proposals to be well designed, policy aligned, and sensitive to the borough’s suburban and regeneration focused context.
What SMARTePLANS® Provides
SMARTePLANS offers a comprehensive planning service tailored to Barking & Dagenham’s clear but detail oriented planning environment. Our expertise ensures your proposal is robust, policy aligned, and positioned for approval.
• Detailed Planning Drawings
We produce precise architectural drawings for extensions, loft conversions, internal alterations, and façade changes. Our designs respect the borough’s character while maximising your space.
• 3D Laser Surveys & Modelling
Accurate measurement is essential for high quality design. Our 3D surveys capture every detail, enabling us to produce highly accurate plans and visualisations.
• Design & Access Statements
We prepare clear, persuasive statements that explain the design rationale, demonstrate policy compliance, and address Barking & Dagenham’s key concerns.
• Daylight/Sunlight Analysis
Where required, we arrange specialist assessments to support your application and address neighbour amenity considerations.
• Heritage & Conservation Expertise
For properties in conservation areas or listed buildings, we prepare sensitive, policy compliant designs supported by heritage statements where necessary.
• Flood Risk & Environmental Documentation
For properties near rivers or low lying areas, we coordinate flood risk assessments and resilient design measures.
• Planning Agent Representation
We manage the entire process — liaising with planning officers, responding to queries, and ensuring your application is complete and professionally presented.
Key Local Planning Considerations in Barking & Dagenham
1. Conservation Areas
Proposals must preserve or enhance local character, affecting:
• Rooflines
• Windows and doors
• Materials
• Extensions
• Boundary treatments
2. Neighbour Amenity
Extensions must demonstrate minimal impact on:
• Daylight
• Sunlight
• Privacy
• Sense of enclosure
3. Loft Conversions & Roof Alterations
Dormers must be modest, well integrated, and subordinate to the main roof.
4. Rear Extensions & Outbuildings
These are common but must respect scale, materials, and the character of the host property.
5. Flood Risk
Properties near the River Roding, Beam River, or Barking Riverside may require flood risk assessments.
Why Choose SMARTePLANS® for Barking & Dagenham Applications
SMARTePLANS has extensive experience working within the borough’s planning framework. Our 99% approval rate reflects our commitment to policy led design, meticulous preparation, and proactive communication with planning officers.
Homeowners choose us because:
• We understand Barking & Dagenham’s unique constraints
• We produce high quality, policy aligned designs
• We manage the entire process from survey to submission
• We specialise in extensions, loft conversions, and conservation sensitive proposals
• We deliver fast turnaround times without compromising quality
Whether you’re planning an extension, loft conversion, internal reconfiguration, or a more complex redevelopment, we ensure your application is robust, compliant, and positioned for approval.
Start Your Barking & Dagenham Planning Application Today
SMARTePLANS offers a free, no obligation quote and expert guidance tailored to your property. Our team handles everything — from surveys to submission — so you can move forward with confidence.
Local character policies for Becontree Estate
Neighbourhoods covered: Barking, Dagenham, Becontree, Creekmouth, Rush Green, Marks Gate.
Key constraints in Barking & Dagenham include:
- Conservation areas (e.g., Abbey and Barking Town Centre)
- Article 4 Directions restricting permitted development
- Flood zones along the River Roding and Thames
Recent Planning Approvals in Barking & Dagenham
Rear Extension — Becontree
Approved in 7 weeks • Full drawings + submission
Loft Conversion — Barking
Approved first time • No revisions required
Garden Room — Dagenham
Retrospective - Approved
FAQ
A: Yes, we proudly serve every part of Barking & Dagenham—from Barking Riverside and Becontree to Dagenham East and Marks Gate. Whether you're in a conservation area, a regeneration zone, or a quiet residential street, our services are tailored to meet local planning needs across the entire borough
A: Barking & Dagenham Council aims to issue decisions within the statutory timeframes: typically 8 weeks for most applications and 13 weeks for major developments. However, actual turnaround can vary depending on complexity, completeness of your submission, and whether public consultation or revisions are needed
A: Absolutely. We take care of the entire submission process for you. Once your drawings and documents are ready, we prepare the application, upload everything to the Planning Portal, complete all required forms, and monitor the application through to validation. You won’t need to deal with any of the admin—we manage it end‑to‑end so nothing gets missed and the council can begin assessing your application without delay.
A: Yes. Every plan, drawing, and document we produce is aligned with Barking & Dagenham’s local planning policies, the London Plan, and all relevant national guidance. We make sure your proposal fits the borough’s specific requirements so the council has everything it needs to assess your application smoothly.
A: Yes — we can give you a clear, experience‑based view of how your proposal is likely to be received. While only the council can make the final decision, we assess your plans against Barking & Dagenham’s local policies, the London Plan, and recent approvals in the borough. This lets us flag risks early, suggest adjustments, and shape your application so it aligns with what the council typically supports.
A: Yes. We’re very familiar with the specific design rules, character guidelines, and historic protections that apply across the Becontree Estate. Because it’s one of the largest and most distinctive interwar estates in the country, Barking & Dagenham applies additional considerations around appearance, materials, extensions, and street character. We make sure your plans respect those requirements so your application stands the best chance of moving smoothly through the council’s assessment.
Ready to start your Barking & Dagenham planning application?
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Single storey extensions
from £595 -
Double storey extensions
from £695 -
Single storey wraparound extensions
from £895 -
Loft conversions
from £450
we provide fixed transparent pricing, including a choice of survey options, expert advice on planning policy, design and space planning, existing and proposed drawings, superior 3D (BIM) modelling as standard, completion of all forms and submission of your application to the council (council fees excluded), act as your agent until a decision is awarded.
Our approval success rates speaks for themselves, don't leave it to chance, contact us today!