Kitchen Extension Planning Permission in Kensington

Most single-storey rear kitchen extensions in Kensington fall under permitted development, meaning no full planning application is needed - but the limits are specific, and Kensington's own conservation areas can remove that right entirely on some streets.

Permitted development limits

Without full planning permission, a single-storey rear extension in Kensington 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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 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 Kensington

Where the Kensington Palace and Kensington Court conservation areas - 38 in total, covering nearly three-quarters of the borough cover parts of Kensington, 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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea'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 Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea 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 Kensington will usually have a good instinct for whether your plans qualify, but the council's confirmation is what removes doubt entirely.