Do I need pre-application planning advice for a house extension in London?

For a standard permitted development extension or loft conversion within PD limits, you do not need pre-app advice — a Lawful Development Certificate is faster and more definitive. Pre-app advice is most valuable for extensions requiring full planning in conservation areas, basement conversions, and larger extensions where design guidance is subjective. Your architect or Builderr project manager can advise whether pre-app is warranted for your specific proposal.

Does pre-application planning advice guarantee planning permission in London?

No — pre-app advice is a non-binding officer opinion. A positive pre-app response does not commit the LPA to granting planning permission, and a negative response does not prevent you from submitting. However, refining your scheme based on pre-app feedback before formal submission significantly improves approval chances, particularly in London boroughs with active conservation and design policies.

How do I submit a pre-application planning advice request in London?

Download the pre-app advice form from your borough's planning portal (most London boroughs now use the Planning Portal or their own online system). Submit with: a site location plan, existing and proposed drawings (sketch level is acceptable at pre-app stage), a brief description of the proposal, and the fee. Builderr prepares pre-app submissions for all projects where pre-app engagement is recommended.

Can I appeal against a pre-application planning advice response?

No — pre-application advice responses are non-statutory and cannot be formally appealed. If you disagree with the officer's pre-app opinion, you can either revise your scheme in light of the feedback, seek a meeting with the case officer to discuss alternatives, or proceed to a formal planning application where the decision can be appealed to the Planning Inspectorate if refused.

Pre-Application Planning Advice Cost London 2025 | Pre-App Fees

How Much Does Pre-Application Planning Advice Cost in London?

Pre-application planning advice in London costs £100–£250 for a householder extension and £300–£600 for larger residential projects. Every London borough charges differently — most offer a written response within 4–8 weeks. Pre-app advice is not binding but significantly improves planning application success rates by identifying objections early and allowing design revisions before formal submission.

Pre-application fees by London borough and project type

Pre-application planning advice (pre-app) allows applicants to submit outline proposals to the local planning authority (LPA) before making a formal application, receive written officer feedback, and refine their scheme accordingly. Every London borough charges for pre-app advice, and fees vary considerably. For a householder application (single dwelling extension, loft conversion, outbuilding): Camden charges £197 for written advice; Wandsworth £148; Hackney £180; Islington £230; Tower Hamlets £150; Southwark £175; Hammersmith and Fulham £200; Kensington and Chelsea £250. For a minor residential development (2–9 new dwellings or large residential extension over 100m²): fees typically range from £300–£600 across London boroughs. For major development (10+ dwellings), pre-app fees rise to £1,000–£3,000 depending on scale. Some boroughs offer a free initial desk assessment (checking basic policy compliance) and charge only for the full written response. The pre-app fee is not refunded if a subsequent planning application is refused, but it is a separate payment from and in addition to the formal planning application fee. Timescales: most London boroughs commit to a written pre-app response within 20–40 working days (4–8 weeks) from receipt of submission. Some boroughs offer an express pre-app service for an additional charge (Islington: £300 additional for 10 working days; Camden: £400 for 15 working days).

Is pre-application advice worth it for London extensions and loft conversions?

For straightforward permitted development projects (standard rear extension, rooflight loft conversion), pre-app advice is rarely necessary — a Lawful Development Certificate application is faster, cheaper, and more definitive. Pre-app advice delivers the most value for: projects in conservation areas where design guidance is subjective and early officer engagement can save costly redesigns; basement conversions in inner London boroughs (Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Camden, Islington) where basement policies are complex and varied; larger extensions where officer discretion is significant (extensions over 4m in depth to a terrace, or over 6m in depth to a semi or detached house); and projects in the Neighbour Consultation Scheme (prior approval for larger extensions) where officer interpretation of 'materially detrimental' impact shapes the outcome. Pre-app advice is not a guarantee of planning permission — the written response is a non-binding officer opinion, and the planning committee is not bound by it. However, a positive pre-app response from the relevant case officer substantially reduces application risk, and identifying a design objection at pre-app stage avoids the cost and delay of a planning refusal and appeal. Builderr includes pre-app advice coordination for all projects in conservation areas or with non-standard planning considerations as part of our standard project management service.