Planning Permission in Bexley

The London Borough of Bexley is one of South East London’s most suburban, spacious, and family oriented boroughs. With its generous plots, quiet residential streets, and well preserved neighbourhoods, Bexley offers homeowners excellent opportunities to extend, modernise, and reconfigure their homes. From the conservation areas of Bexley Village, Danson Park, and Old Bexley to the suburban neighbourhoods of Sidcup, Welling, Erith, Crayford, and Bexleyheath, the borough blends heritage character with modern living. However, Bexley 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, Bexley requires proposals to be well designed, policy aligned, and sensitive to the borough’s suburban and heritage context.

Understanding Bexley’s Planning Environment

Bexley is known for its strong emphasis on suburban character, neighbour amenity, and high quality design. The borough contains several conservation areas, including Bexley Village, Old Bexley, Danson Park, and parts of Sidcup. These areas are protected for their architectural and historic significance, meaning external alterations must preserve or enhance local character. Proposals affecting listed buildings or heritage streetscapes require careful justification and may need heritage statements.

Neighbour amenity is a major consideration in Bexley. Extensions must be designed to avoid harming daylight, sunlight, privacy, or the sense of openness enjoyed by neighbouring properties. The council uses clear amenity tests, including the 45 degree and 25 degree rules, to assess the impact of extensions on neighbouring windows and gardens. Even modest proposals may require detailed analysis, especially in semi detached or terraced streets.

Bexley is particularly known for its structured approach to rear extensions, loft conversions, and outbuildings. Rear extensions — including wrap arounds and side returns — are common but must respect scale, materials, and the character of the host property. Loft conversions are widely accepted when designed sensitively, with dormers kept subordinate to the main roof. Outbuildings are popular but must remain subordinate and not dominate the garden.

Flood risk is a consideration in areas near the River Cray, River Shuttle, and parts of Erith. Properties in these zones may require flood risk assessments or resilient design measures.
Sustainability is another key priority. Bexley encourages energy efficient design, sustainable materials, and proposals that reduce carbon impact. This can influence glazing choices, insulation, and the overall design approach.

What SMARTePLANS Provides

SMARTePLANS offers a comprehensive planning service tailored to Bexley’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 Bexley’s character while maximising your space.
• 3D Laser Surveys & BIM 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 Bexley’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 Bexley

1. Conservation Areas
Bexley contains several 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
Dormers must be modest, well integrated, and subordinate to the main roof. Roof terraces are often restricted.
4. Rear Extensions & Outbuildings
These are common but must respect scale, materials, and the character of the host property.

Properties near the River Cray, River Shuttle, or low lying areas may require flood risk assessments.
Why Choose SMARTePLANS for Bexley Applications

SMARTePLANS has extensive experience working within Bexley’s planning framework. Our 98% approval rate reflects our commitment to policy led design, meticulous preparation, and proactive communication with planning officers.

Homeowners choose us because:

• We understand Bexley’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 Bexley Planning Application Today

SMARTePLANS offers

• A Free, no obligation quote
• Expert design Advance tailored to your property.
• Expert Planning guidance
• BIM 3D drawings at on extra cost.
• Affordable, low, fixed prices.

Our team handles everything — from surveys to submission — so you can move forward with confidence.