Kitchen Extension Planning Permission in Richmond

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

Permitted development limits

A single-storey rear extension is commonly allowed up to 3m beyond the rear wall for a terraced or semi-detached house in Richmond, or 4m for a detached one, without needing planning permission. The "larger home extension" prior approval scheme extends those limits to 6m and 8m respectively, but requires notifying neighbours via the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and waiting out an objection period first.

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 Richmond

the Richmond Hill conservation area - the borough has 85 in total, one of the highest counts of any London borough covering parts of Richmond often means reduced or removed permitted development rights - expect closer attention to matching materials, roofline and window style to the existing house. Check your property's exact status with the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames before finalising anything.

Get it confirmed, don't assume it

Even where permitted development likely applies, a Lawful Development Certificate from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames 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 Richmond will usually have a good instinct for whether your plans qualify, but the council's confirmation is what removes doubt entirely.