The London Borough of Ealing covers a large and varied part of West London, with established residential neighbourhoods, historic centres, industrial areas, major transport connections and locations undergoing substantial regeneration. Ealing planning applications can therefore range from domestic extensions and loft conversions to property subdivisions, new homes, commercial development and major mixed-use schemes.

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The borough includes Ealing, Acton, Southall, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt and Perivale, together with neighbourhoods such as West Ealing, Northfields, Ealing Common, Pitshanger, Hanger Hill, North Acton, Park Royal and Norwood Green. Each area has its own mixture of property types, local character, development pressures and planning considerations.

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In established residential areas such as Ealing, Northfields, Pitshanger, Hanwell, Ealing Common and parts of Acton, planning applications frequently involve rear and side extensions, loft conversions, roof alterations, basement works, replacement windows and garden buildings. The acceptability of a proposal may depend on its scale, design, materials and relationship with neighbouring properties.

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Larger houses and plots may also attract proposals for replacement dwellings, new flats, infill housing or the conversion of properties into multiple residential units. These applications can raise planning issues involving parking, refuse storage, outdoor amenity space, overlooking, daylight, building height and the effect on the surrounding street.

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Southall, Greenford, Northolt, North Acton and Park Royal contain a mixture of housing, commercial premises, employment sites and regeneration areas. Proposals in these locations may include new flats, mixed-use development, changes of use, industrial buildings, commercial alterations and the redevelopment of larger sites.

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Conservation Areas and Planning Restrictions

 

Ealing contains numerous conservation areas, listed buildings and streets with distinctive architectural character. These designations can place additional controls on extensions, demolition, roof alterations, replacement windows and changes to the exterior of a property.

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Some locations are also affected by Article 4 Directions, which remove particular permitted development rights. Work that might normally be carried out without a planning application may therefore require formal Ealing planning permission.

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Additional controls may affect:

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• Replacement windows and external doors

• Roof extensions and dormer windows

• Changes to roofing materials

• Front extensions and porches

• Boundary walls, gates and fences

• Painting or altering external elevations

• Demolition of buildings or structures

• Changes to historic architectural details

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A proposal affecting a listed building may require listed building consent in addition to planning permission. More detailed drawings, heritage information and material specifications may be required to demonstrate how the development will protect the building’s architectural or historic significance.

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Using the Ealing Planning Search

The Ealing planning search can be used to view current and historic planning records for properties and development sites across the borough.

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Users can normally:

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• Search Ealing planning applications by address or reference

• View submitted drawings and supporting documents

• Check whether an application is pending, approved or refused

• Read decision notices and planning conditions

• Review applications affecting neighbouring properties

• Examine the planning history of a site

• Follow the progress of a current application

• Comment on an application during consultation

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Carrying out an Ealing planning permission search before preparing a new proposal can help identify earlier applications affecting the property and nearby sites.

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Approved applications may provide useful local context, while refusals can reveal concerns involving design, heritage, neighbouring amenity, parking, trees or the intensity of development. However, approval for another property does not automatically mean that a similar proposal will be accepted.

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Every application is assessed according to its individual site, planning history, surroundings and the policies applying when the decision is made.

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Ealing Council Planning Portal

The Ealing council planning portal provides access to application records, drawings, decision notices and other publicly available planning information.

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A search may be particularly useful when:

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• Buying or selling a property

• Considering an extension or loft conversion

• Checking whether previous work was approved

• Reviewing neighbouring development proposals

• Investigating planning conditions

• Preparing a new planning application

• Looking for comparable local decisions

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The portal is a useful research tool, but planning records should be interpreted carefully. An application may have been approved under different policies, site conditions or permitted development rights.

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Preparing an Ealing Planning Application

 

Before drawings are prepared, it is important to establish the correct application route. Depending on the project, this may include:

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• Householder planning permission

• Full planning permission

• Prior approval

• Listed building consent

• Advertisement consent

• Change-of-use permission

• Lawful Development Certificate

• Retrospective planning permission

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A complete 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 statements

• Daylight and sunlight assessments

• Transport and parking information

• Tree, landscaping or ecology reports

• Drainage, waste or servicing details

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The information required will depend on the scale, use and location of the proposal. Sensitive properties, larger developments and projects in conservation areas will generally require more supporting detail than straightforward domestic alterations.

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Planning Application Support

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