Planning Permission in Enfield

The London Borough of Enfield covers a wide and varied area of North London, including Enfield Town, Southgate, Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill, Edmonton, Cockfosters and parts of the Lea Valley. The borough combines suburban residential streets, conservation areas, industrial zones and significant Green Belt land. As a result, securing planning permission in Enfield requires careful alignment with local planning policy and design expectations.
At SmartePlans UK, we prepare and manage planning applications to Enfield Council, providing compliant architectural drawings and strategic planning advice to maximise approval prospects.

Enfield Planning Permission: Policy Framework

Enfield Council determines applications against:
• The Enfield Local Plan
• The London Plan
• The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
• Residential design and space standards
• Conservation area policies
• Green Belt policy (where applicable)
Enfield places particular emphasis on maintaining residential character, protecting neighbour amenity and ensuring high-quality design. Applications are assessed on:
• Scale, massing and visual impact
• Loss of light and privacy
• Overdevelopment of plots
• Parking provision and highways safety
• Compliance with minimum internal space standards
A well-prepared application that addresses these criteria significantly improves the likelihood of approval.

Types of Planning Applications in Enfield

We assist homeowners, landlords and developers with a wide range of applications across Enfield:
Householder Applications
• Single-storey rear extensions
• Wraparound extensions
• Side extensions
• Double-storey extensions
• Loft conversions and dormers
• Roof alterations
Rear extensions are common across Enfield’s 1930s and Edwardian housing stock, but careful design is essential to avoid refusal due to depth, height or impact on adjoining properties.
Permitted Development & Lawful Development Certificates
• Rear extensions within permitted development limits
• Loft conversions under PD
• Outbuildings and garden offices
• Formal Lawful Development Certificates (LDC)
Obtaining an LDC provides legal confirmation that works are lawful, which is particularly valuable for resale or refinancing.
Flat Conversions & HMOs
• Conversion of single dwellings into self-contained flats
• Change of use to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
• Compliance with Enfield’s amenity and bin storage standards
Enfield has specific requirements relating to refuse storage, cycle parking and private amenity space. Applications must demonstrate compliance in detail.
New Build Developments
• Infill housing
• Backland developments
• Replacement dwellings
• Small residential schemes
Development proposals must carefully consider density, local character and access arrangements.
Commercial & Change of Use Applications
• Retail to residential
• Office conversions
• Shopfront alterations
• Mixed-use schemes
Each change of use proposal requires a policy-led justification and supporting documentation.

Conservation Areas in Enfield

Enfield contains a number of conservation areas including Enfield Town, Bush Hill Park, Winchmore Hill Green and parts of Southgate. Within these areas:
• Design quality is scrutinised more rigorously
• Materials and detailing must reflect local character
• Permitted development rights may be restricted
• Roof alterations and dormers are often tightly controlled
Applications in conservation areas frequently require a Design and Access Statement demonstrating how the proposal preserves or enhances the area’s character.
Our team ensures all drawings and supporting statements reflect conservation requirements.

Green Belt & Metropolitan Open Land

Significant portions of Enfield fall within the Metropolitan Green Belt, particularly in the northern parts of the borough. Development in these areas is heavily restricted and must not result in disproportionate additions or inappropriate development.
Applications in Green Belt locations often require:
• Volume calculations
• Clear policy justification
• Careful control of footprint and height
Early professional planning advice is critical in these cases.

The Enfield Planning Process

A typical householder planning application in Enfield follows this structure:
1. Measured survey of the property
2. Preparation of architectural drawings
3. Planning policy review
4. Submission via the Planning Portal
5. Validation by Enfield Council
6. Public consultation (neighbour notification)
7. Case officer assessment
8. Decision (usually within 8 weeks)
Planning officers may request amendments during the assessment process. Prompt and strategic responses can often resolve concerns without refusal.

Common Reasons for Refusal in Enfield

Enfield Council commonly refuses applications due to:
• Excessive depth or height of extensions
• Loss of daylight or overshadowing
• Overbearing impact on neighbouring properties
• Inadequate amenity space
• Insufficient parking provision
• Poor design quality
Designing in accordance with policy from the outset reduces risk and avoids costly delays.

Why Choose SmartePlans UK for Enfield Planning Applications?

• Experience preparing applications for Enfield Council
• Planning policy-led design strategy
• Fully compliant architectural drawing packages
• Support with amendments and officer communication
• Clear, fixed-fee pricing
We focus on planning approval strategy, not just drawings. Every project is designed with policy compliance and approval probability in mind.

Planning Application Costs in Enfield

Planning fees are set nationally, but overall project costs depend on:
• Scale and complexity of the proposal
• Conservation or Green Belt constraints
• Supporting documentation required
• Building regulation drawing packages (if needed)
We provide transparent quotations tailored to your specific project.