Planning Applications and Permission Across the London Borough of Bromley

The London Borough of Bromley covers a large and varied part of South East London, extending from established suburban centres to villages, countryside and Green Belt land near the edge of Greater London. Planning applications can therefore involve everything from domestic extensions and loft conversions to replacement homes, property conversions, commercial development and larger residential schemes.

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The borough includes Bromley, Beckenham, Orpington, Chislehurst, Petts Wood, West Wickham, Hayes, Bickley, Shortlands, Penge, Anerley, Crystal Palace, Biggin Hill, Keston, Locksbottom, Farnborough, Chelsfield, St Mary Cray, St Paul’s Cray, Downe and Cudham. Each location has its own property types, streetscape, planning history and development pressures.

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In residential areas such as Bromley, Beckenham, Petts Wood, Orpington, West Wickham and Bickley, planning applications frequently relate to rear and side extensions, loft conversions, garages, outbuildings, replacement windows and alterations to existing houses. Larger plots may also create opportunities for replacement dwellings, infill housing or the subdivision of land, although access, parking, trees and neighbouring amenity must be carefully considered.

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Areas including Penge, Anerley, Crystal Palace and parts of Bromley and Orpington contain a mixture of houses, flats, shops and commercial premises. Applications in these locations may involve changes of use, residential conversions, new flats, shopfront alterations, commercial development and mixed-use proposals.

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Chislehurst, Petts Wood, Hayes, Keston, Farnborough and other established neighbourhoods include conservation areas, listed buildings, mature trees and locally distinctive architecture. Planning applications affecting these properties may require particular attention to design, materials, roof forms, landscaping and the character of the surrounding area.

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The southern part of the borough contains extensive countryside and Green Belt land around Biggin Hill, Downe, Cudham and nearby villages. Development in these locations is subject to additional planning considerations, and proposals for new buildings, replacement properties, extensions or changes of use may require a detailed assessment of Green Belt policy, landscape impact and openness.

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Before preparing an application, it is important to establish whether the work requires householder planning permission, full planning permission, prior approval or a Lawful Development Certificate. Bromley Council advises that permission may be required when building, extending or demolishing a property or changing the use of a building or land.

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Using the Bromley Planning Portal

The Bromley planning portal and Public Register can be used to:

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• Search Bromley planning applications by address or reference

• View application forms, drawings and supporting documents

• Track the progress of current applications

• Check whether applications have been approved or refused

• Read decision notices and planning conditions

• Review historic applications affecting a property

• Search planning appeals and enforcement records

• Comment on applications open for consultation

• Search weekly application and decision lists

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The council also offers planning subscriptions, allowing users to receive notifications based on wards and selected planning-search filters.

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Carrying out a Bromley council planning application search before designing a project can help identify previous applications affecting the property and surrounding area. Approved schemes may provide useful local context, while refused applications can highlight design, amenity, parking or policy concerns that should be addressed before a new submission is made.

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However, an approval elsewhere in Bromley does not guarantee that another application will be successful. Each proposal is assessed according to its individual site, planning history, design, impact on neighbours and the planning policies applying when the decision is made.

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Preparing a Bromley Planning Application

A planning application must contain the correct forms, plans, certificates, supporting information and fee before it can be validated.

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Depending on the proposal, the submission may require:

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• Location and block plans

• Existing and proposed floor plans

• Existing and proposed elevations

• Roof plans and building sections

• Street-scene drawings

• Design and access information

• Heritage or conservation documents

• Tree, ecology or landscaping information

• Parking, transport or drainage details

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Bromley Council provides examples of floor plans, elevations, site plans, street scenes, gates and landscaping drawings to illustrate the standard of information expected with an application.

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Once an application has been validated, it is placed on the Public Register and allocated to a planning officer for assessment. Applicants can then use the Bromley planning search to monitor its progress.

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Important: Planning Application Support
Planning Application Services (PAS) can assist with planning advice, architectural drawings and the preparation and submission of applications for properties throughout Bromley.