Kitchen Extension Planning Permission in Brixton

A rear kitchen extension in Brixton usually doesn't need full planning permission, provided it stays within permitted development limits - though Brixton's conservation areas can restrict or remove that right on certain streets.

Permitted development limits

Without full planning permission, a single-storey rear extension in Brixton is typically capped at 3m beyond the rear wall for terraced and semi-detached houses, or 4m for detached houses. Going further - up to 6m or 8m respectively - is possible via the "larger home extension" prior approval route, which means notifying neighbours through the London Borough of Lambeth and clearing an objection period before building.

Height limits typically apply too - commonly around 4m maximum for a single-storey rear extension, and no higher than 4m within 2m of a boundary.

What's different in Brixton

Where the Brixton and Brixton Road conservation areas cover parts of Brixton, permitted development rights for extensions are commonly restricted or removed entirely - materials, roofline and even window style may need to match the existing house rather than a standard modern finish. the London Borough of Lambeth's planning department can confirm your specific property's status before you commit to a design.

Get it confirmed, don't assume it

Even where permitted development likely applies, a Lawful Development Certificate from the London Borough of Lambeth is a formal, low-cost confirmation that protects you if a neighbour complains or you sell the house later. A builder who works regularly in Brixton will usually have a good instinct for whether your plans qualify, but the council's confirmation is what removes doubt entirely.