The London Borough of Havering covers a large and varied part of East London, combining established suburban neighbourhoods, busy town centres, traditional residential streets, industrial areas, open countryside and Green Belt land.

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Havering planning applications can therefore range from house extensions and loft conversions to replacement homes, property subdivisions, commercial development, changes of use and larger residential schemes.

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The borough includes Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster, Rainham, Gidea Park, Harold Wood, Harold Hill, Collier Row, Elm Park, Cranham, Emerson Park, South Hornchurch, Ardleigh Green and parts of Wennington and North Ockendon. Each area has its own mixture of property types, local character, planning history and development pressures.

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In residential neighbourhoods such as Hornchurch, Upminster, Gidea Park, Emerson Park, Cranham and Harold Wood, planning applications frequently involve rear and side extensions, loft conversions, roof alterations, replacement windows, garages, porches and garden buildings.

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The acceptability of a proposal may depend on its scale, design, materials and relationship with neighbouring properties. Larger extensions and roof alterations can raise concerns involving overlooking, loss of light, visual dominance and the effect on the established appearance of the street.

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Larger houses and plots in parts of Gidea Park, Emerson Park, Upminster and Cranham may also attract proposals for replacement homes, infill development, additional dwellings or the subdivision of existing properties and gardens. These applications may require careful consideration of access, parking, landscaping, mature trees, neighbouring amenity and local character.

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Romford, Rainham, Harold Hill and parts of Hornchurch contain a mixture of shopping areas, flats, commercial premises, transport connections and redevelopment sites. Planning proposals in these locations may include changes of use, new housing, mixed-use buildings, commercial alterations and the redevelopment of larger sites.

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Conservation Areas, Green Belt and Local Planning Controls

 

Havering contains conservation areas, listed buildings, historic villages and neighbourhoods with distinctive architectural character.

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Applications affecting these locations may require greater attention to design, materials, roof forms, windows and the relationship between the proposal and surrounding buildings.

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Gidea Park, Upminster, Romford and several of the borough’s older settlements include properties and streets where local character can carry significant weight in a planning decision.

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Additional planning controls may affect:

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• Replacement windows and external doors

• Roof extensions and dormer windows

• Rear and side extensions

• Front extensions and porches

• Boundary walls, gates and railings

• Demolition of buildings or structures

• External insulation and cladding

• Changes to historic architectural features

• Work affecting listed buildings

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Some properties may also be affected by Article 4 Directions, previous planning conditions or restrictions on permitted development rights. Work that might normally be completed without a formal application could therefore require planning permission in Havering.

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The eastern and northern parts of the borough also contain extensive Green Belt and open land. Proposals around Upminster, North Ockendon, Rainham, Wennington and other less densely developed locations may need to address the effect on openness, landscape character and the countryside.

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Using the Havering Planning Search

 

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

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Users can normally:

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• Search Havering 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

• Examine the planning history of a property

• Review applications affecting neighbouring sites

• Follow the progress of a current application

• Comment on proposals open for consultation

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Carrying out a Havering council planning search before preparing a proposal can help identify previous decisions affecting the property and surrounding area.

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

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However, approval for another property does not automatically mean that a similar proposal will be accepted. Each application is assessed according to its individual site, planning history, neighbouring relationships and the planning policies applying at the time.

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Planning Portal Havering

 

The planning portal for Havering provides access to publicly available planning records, including application forms, drawings, supporting documents, decision notices and planning conditions.

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The portal can be particularly useful when:

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• Considering an extension or loft conversion

• Checking whether previous work had planning permission

• Investigating the planning history of a property

• Reviewing proposed development nearby

• Looking for comparable local applications

• Checking planning conditions

• Preparing a new planning application

• Buying, selling or developing property

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Planning records should be interpreted carefully. A previous approval may have been granted under different planning policies, property circumstances or permitted development rights.

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Planning Permission in Havering

 

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

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Planning permission in Havering may be required for:

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• House and flat extensions

• Loft conversions and roof alterations

• Replacement homes and new dwellings

• Property conversions and subdivisions

• Houses in multiple occupation

• Changes of use

• Commercial and shopfront alterations

• Replacement windows in sensitive locations

• Retrospective development

• Work affecting conservation areas or listed buildings

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Some smaller projects may qualify as permitted development. A Lawful Development Certificate can provide formal confirmation that proposed or existing development is lawful.

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Preparing a Havering 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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Planning Application Support

 

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