Kensington and Chelsea Planning Consultant
Heritage streets, strict basement rules
The Royal Borough has 38 conservation areas protecting nearly three quarters of its land, from the stucco terraces of Kensington and Chelsea to the mews of South Kensington and the villas of Holland Park. Small changes to a front elevation or roof can need consent, and basements face some of the tightest controls in England.
Cedar Planning is a Chartered practice led by Dan Malloy MRTPI. We work from Norfolk across England, including central London, preparing applications for the Royal Borough and appeals to the Planning Inspectorate, with site visits arranged as the job requires.
- RTPI Chartered
- Fixed-fee quotations
- Direct advice from a Chartered Planner
The Local Plan 2024 and what changed
The council adopted its Local Plan 2024 on 24 July 2024, following the Inspector's report of 5 July 2024. It replaced the Local Plan 2019 and is now the main development plan, alongside the London Plan 2021 and two neighbourhood plans, for St Quintin and Woodlands and for Norland.
The new plan renumbered many familiar policies. Basements, long handled by Policy CL7, now fall under Policy CD11. The conservation and design chapter runs from CD1 on context and character to CD16 on fire safety, and housing policies are grouped from HO1 to HO8. Older officer reports and appeal decisions still cite the 2019 codes, which can cause confusion.
The council's planning policy pages show no replacement plan under way as of September 2026, so the 2024 plan carries full weight. It was examined against the London Plan and national policy, which leaves little room to argue that it is out of date.
Two large allocations anchor the borough's growth: SA1 Kensal Canalside in the north and SA2 Earl's Court on the former exhibition centre land. Most other applications are for extensions, alterations and conversions within established streets.
No permitted development for basements
An Article 4 Direction in force since 28 April 2016 removed permitted development rights for basement extensions to houses across the whole Royal Borough. Every basement, however modest, needs a planning application tested against Policy CD11.
Kensington and Chelsea planning issues
Basements are limited to a single storey in most cases, must leave at least half of each garden unexcavated and are not allowed under listed buildings. A construction method statement and traffic management plan are expected.
With 38 conservation areas, most proposals affect a heritage asset. Policies CD3 to CD7 apply, and the council is replacing older proposal statements with new conservation area appraisals.
Roof extensions, mansards and roof terraces are judged against the character of the terrace. An unbroken roofline is often part of what makes a street significant.
A Class MA Article 4 Direction took effect on 27 July 2022, as modified by the Secretary of State to a smaller area than the council first proposed. Many shop and office conversions need full permission.
Our planning services in the Royal Borough
Each instruction is priced as a fixed-fee quotation. These are the services we are most often asked for in Kensington and Chelsea.
Heritage Statements
Significance-led reports for listed houses, mews and terraces in any of the 38 conservation areas, addressing Policies CD3 to CD7 and the relevant conservation area appraisal.
View serviceHouseholder Applications
Basements, rear extensions, mansards and roof terraces, prepared against CD11 and the policies on alterations and roof works, with drawings that respond to the terrace.
View servicePlanning Statements
Statements for conversions, mixed-use schemes and changes of use, explaining how a proposal meets the Local Plan 2024 and the London Plan, and noting renumbered policy codes.
View serviceLawful Development Certificates
Certificates for existing uses, including flats and long-standing works, where records show a use has continued for the required period.
View serviceClass MA Prior Approval
Commercial to residential proposals on sites outside the 2022 Article 4 area, with the national conditions on light, noise and the effect on local shopping checked in advance.
View servicePlanning Objections
Objections for neighbours facing basement or roof schemes next door, focused on CD11, living conditions under CD9 and the effect on the conservation area.
View servicePolicy codes applied in the Royal Borough
Design decisions start with CD1 on context and character and CD2 on design quality, character and growth. CD8 addresses tall buildings, and CD9 protects living conditions, covering daylight, sunlight, privacy and noise. Policies CD10 to CD15 deal with alterations and extensions, basements, roof works, shopfronts and views.
Housing policy centres on HO1, on delivering and protecting homes, HO2 on small sites and HO4 on housing size and standards. The plan also carries a clear commitment to social rented housing following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, and HO7 addresses estate renewal.
The London Plan 2021 identifies two Opportunity Areas in the borough: Kensal Canalside in the north of the borough and Earl's Court and West Kensington, which is shared with Hammersmith and Fulham. Borough CIL has applied since 6 April 2015, with nil rates in the Earl's Court and Kensal zones.
Key policy areas we navigate
Rear extensions and roof terraces often turn on overlooking, sense of enclosure and loss of light for neighbours in closely built terraces and mews.
Protected views and the setting of landmarks such as the Royal Hospital, the museums and Kensington Palace can limit height and bulk.
Infill homes and mews redevelopment are supported in principle, but must fit their context and protect neighbours.
Parts of Chelsea near the Thames and areas prone to surface water flooding need careful design, especially for basements.
A Consultancy That Works With You, For You
In a borough where most streets are conservation areas and every basement needs a full application, the quality of the submission often decides the outcome. Officers expect proposals to be grounded in an understanding of the building's significance and the pattern of the terrace.
Advice is also useful because the 2024 plan renumbered many policies. Precedents and earlier decisions may rely on older codes such as CL7, so we check that any case you rely on still reflects current policy.
RTPI Chartered
Led by a Chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute with more than ten years of public and private-sector planning experience.
Honest Prospects
A realistic view of the planning risks and options before you commit time or money.
Fixed, Transparent Fees
Fixed-fee quotations agreed before work starts, so you know the cost from the outset.
Direct Access
You deal with the Chartered Planner doing the work, not an account manager.
Planning Consultants Across London
We cover every council area in London. See our main London planning consultants page. If your application has been refused, see our Kensington and Chelsea planning appeal page.
Kensington and Chelsea Planning FAQs
How big can a basement be in Kensington and Chelsea?
Under Policy CD11 a basement should normally be a single storey and must not extend under more than half of each garden or open part of the site. They are not permitted under listed buildings. Deeper basements are only considered on large sites, and planning permission is always required.
Is Policy CL7 still the basement policy?
No. CL7 was the basement policy in the Local Plan 2019. The Local Plan 2024 moved basement controls into Policy CD11. The approach is similar, but applications and statements should now refer to the current policy.
Can I add a mansard roof to my house?
Sometimes. The council looks at whether the terrace already has a consistent roofline, whether similar extensions exist and how the addition would be seen from the street. A heritage statement is usually needed, as most streets are in conservation areas.
What is planned for Earl's Court and Kensal Canalside?
Both are Opportunity Areas and site allocations in the Local Plan 2024, SA2 and SA1 respectively. They are expected to deliver large numbers of homes and new jobs, and both sit in nil-rated CIL zones reflecting their infrastructure costs.
Can a shop in Chelsea become a flat without planning permission?
It depends on the location. The Class MA Article 4 Direction covers a defined area, reduced by the Secretary of State in 2022. Outside it, prior approval may be possible. Inside it, a full application is needed and the loss of the commercial use will be examined.
What if the council refuses my basement or extension?
You can resubmit with changes or appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Householder appeals must be lodged within 12 weeks of the decision. Our Kensington and Chelsea planning appeals page explains how these cases are argued.
Get a Free Quote
Tell us what you are trying to achieve and where the property or site is. We will give you an initial view and a fixed-fee quote.
Or email us at info@cedarplanning.co.uk with the relevant information.
Thinking about a basement, roof extension or conversion in Chelsea, Kensington or Notting Hill? Book a free 15-minute call, or read about heritage statements and Lawful Development Certificates.