Kitchen Extension Planning Permission in Woolwich

A rear kitchen extension in Woolwich usually doesn't need full planning permission, provided it stays within permitted development limits - though Woolwich'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 Woolwich, 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 Royal Borough of Greenwich 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 Woolwich

the Woolwich conservation area, designated in 2019 to protect its industrial and military heritage - the borough has 23 in total covering parts of Woolwich 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 Royal Borough of Greenwich before finalising anything.

Get it confirmed, don't assume it

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