The London Borough of Enfield covers a large and varied part of North London, extending from densely developed neighbourhoods around Edmonton and the Lea Valley to established suburban streets, historic centres and open land near the northern edge of Greater London. Enfield planning applications can therefore range from modest home alterations to property conversions, new dwellings, commercial development and major regeneration projects.

​

The borough includes Enfield Town, Edmonton, Palmers Green, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Bush Hill Park, Grange Park, Oakwood, Cockfosters, Ponders End, Enfield Highway, Enfield Lock, Brimsdown, Forty Hill, Chase Side and parts of Bowes Park. Each area has its own mixture of property types, local character, planning history and development pressures.

​

In residential locations such as Palmers Green, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Bush Hill Park, Grange Park and Enfield Town, applications frequently involve rear and side extensions, loft conversions, roof alterations, replacement windows, porches and garden buildings. The acceptability of a proposal may depend on its scale, design, materials and impact on neighbouring properties.

​

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

​

Edmonton, Ponders End, Brimsdown and the Lea Valley contain a mixture of established housing, employment land, industrial premises and regeneration sites. Planning proposals in these areas may include new housing, mixed-use development, changes of use, commercial buildings and the redevelopment of larger sites.

​

​

Conservation Areas, Green Belt and Local Planning Controls

Parts of Enfield contain conservation areas, listed buildings, historic streets and locally distinctive architecture. Extensions, roof alterations, replacement windows, demolition and changes to the exterior of a property may require particular attention to design, materials and the established character of the surrounding area.

​

The northern and western parts of the borough also include significant areas of Green Belt and open land. Proposals around Forty Hill, Crews Hill, Hadley Wood and the borough’s more rural edges may be subject to additional controls intended to protect openness, landscape character and the separation between built-up areas.

​

Some properties may be affected by Article 4 Directions, previous planning conditions or restrictions on permitted development rights. Work that might ordinarily be carried out without a formal application could therefore require Enfield planning permission.

​

Before assuming that a project is permitted development, it is important to check:

​

• Whether the property is in a conservation area

• Whether it is listed or close to a listed building

• Whether permitted development rights have been removed

• Whether previous planning conditions affect the property

• Whether the site is within or close to the Green Belt

• Whether trees or landscape features are protected

• Whether the proposed use requires a change-of-use application

​

​

Using the Enfield Planning Portal

The Enfield planning portal can be used to search current and historic applications affecting properties and development sites throughout the borough.

​

Users can normally:

​

• Search Enfield 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

• Follow the progress of a current application

• Examine the planning history of a site

• Comment on applications open for consultation

​

Carrying out an Enfield planning search before preparing a proposal can help identify earlier applications affecting the property and surrounding area.

​

Approved developments may provide useful local context, while refused applications can highlight concerns involving design, overlooking, loss of light, parking, heritage, trees or the intensity of development.

​

However, an approval elsewhere in Enfield does not guarantee that a similar proposal will be accepted. Every application is considered according to its individual site, planning history, relationship with neighbouring properties and the policies applying when the decision is made.

​

​

Enfield Planning Permission

 

The correct application route will depend on the type of property, the proposed work and any restrictions affecting the site.

​

Enfield planning permission may be required for:

​

• House extensions and loft conversions

• Replacement homes and new dwellings

• Property subdivisions and flats

• Houses in multiple occupation

• Changes of use

• Commercial alterations

• Replacement windows in sensitive locations

• Outbuildings and garden structures

• Retrospective development

• Work affecting listed buildings or conservation areas

​

Some projects may fall within permitted development rights, but a Lawful Development Certificate can provide formal confirmation that the work is lawful.

​

​

Preparing an Enfield Planning Application

 

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

​

• Householder planning permission

• Full planning permission

• Prior approval

• Listed building consent

• Advertisement consent

• Change-of-use permission

• Lawful Development Certificate

• Retrospective planning permission

​

A complete submission may require:

​

• 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

​

​

Planning Application Support

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