Planning Permission in Ealing: 2026 Guide

Planning in Ealing — what you need to know

If you are planning a home improvement project in Ealing, understanding the local planning landscape is essential before you begin. Ealing is managed by London Borough of Ealing, which handles all planning applications, enforcement, and local plan policy for the borough.

Leafy outer-west London; Bedford Park conservation area has strict heritage controls; rest of borough generally permissive. The borough has a population of approximately 342,000 residents and covers postcodes W3, W5, W7, W13, UB1, UB2, UB5, UB6, NW10.

The housing stock in Ealing is predominantly victorian and Edwardian villas in Ealing central; 1930s semi-detached in Northolt and Hanwell; mansion blocks along main roads; Bedford Park is a listed Arts & Crafts garden suburb. This mix of property types means that Ealing Council deals with a wide range of applications, from rear extensions on terraced houses to loft conversions on semi-detached properties and full refurbishments of period homes in conservation areas.

With 30 designated conservation areas and active Article 4 Directions, Ealing has a relatively controlled planning environment where Permitted Development rights may be restricted in many areas.

At Architectural Drawings London, we prepare planning drawings and building regulations drawings for properties across all Ealing postcodes. Our MCIAT chartered architectural technologists have experience with Ealing Council and understand the specific policies, design guides, and precedents that apply in Ealing. Our fixed fees start from £840 for our Essentials package and £1,750 for our Complete package — 30% below typical London architect rates.

Article 4 Directions in Ealing

Ealing has Article 4 Directions in place that remove certain Permitted Development rights. Article 4 for HMOs in specific streets in Acton, Ealing and Southall.

Article 4 Directions are used by councils to protect the character of an area by requiring planning permission for changes that would otherwise be permitted. If your property is affected by an Article 4 Direction in Ealing, you will need to submit a full planning application even for works that would normally fall under Permitted Development. The council fee for a householder application is £258, and we prepare the necessary drawings and supporting documents.

It is important to note that Article 4 Directions in Ealing are separate from conservation area restrictions. A property can be affected by both, and in practice many Article 4 areas overlap with conservation areas. We check the specific restrictions affecting your property as part of our initial assessment.

Conservation areas in Ealing

Ealing has 30 designated conservation areas. Notable conservation areas include:

• Ealing Broadway
• Pitshanger
• Bedford Park
• Acton Green
• Hanwell

In conservation areas, Permitted Development rights are more restricted than in non-designated areas. Key restrictions include:

• No cladding, stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic, or tile to any external wall without planning permission
• No side extensions under Permitted Development
• Rear extensions are limited and may require planning permission
• Dormer loft conversions facing the highway require planning permission
• Satellite dishes on front elevations or chimneys are not permitted
• Demolition of gates, walls, fences, or other boundary treatment requires planning permission

If your property is in a Ealing conservation area, we can advise on what is achievable and prepare a planning application that addresses the conservation officer's requirements. Our 98% first-time approval rate includes a strong record in conservation area applications.

Popular projects in Ealing

The types of planning applications most commonly submitted in Ealing are shaped by the borough's housing stock. Victorian and Edwardian villas in Ealing central; 1930s semi-detached in Northolt and Hanwell; mansion blocks along main roads; Bedford Park is a listed Arts & Crafts garden suburb, which drives demand for specific types of extensions and conversions.

Two-storey extensions

The semi-detached and detached housing stock in Ealing is well suited to two-storey rear extensions, which almost always require planning permission. A two-storey extension can add a larger kitchen-diner at ground floor and an additional bedroom and bathroom above. Ealing Council generally supports two-storey extensions that are subordinate to the original dwelling, set in from the boundary, and do not result in unacceptable loss of light or privacy to neighbours. Our Complete package from £1,750 covers full planning and building regulations drawings.

Flat conversions and internal alterations

With mansion blocks and converted flats forming part of Ealing's housing stock, internal layout changes and flat conversions are common projects. While internal alterations rarely need planning permission, converting a house to flats (C3 to C4 HMO) or vice versa may require planning approval, particularly given Ealing's Article 4 Direction covering HMO conversions. We can prepare the necessary floor plans, elevations, and supporting documents for flat conversion applications in Ealing.

How much do planning drawings cost in Ealing?

The cost of a planning application in Ealing has two components: the council application fee and the professional drawing fees.

Our fixed-fee pricing means you know the cost upfront with no hourly billing surprises. We include a measured survey, existing and proposed plans, elevations, and a site plan — everything required for a valid planning submission to Ealing Council. Our fees are 30% below typical London architect rates for the same scope of work.

For Permitted Development projects that do not require a planning application, we recommend obtaining a Lawful Development Certificate (£129 council fee). This provides formal legal confirmation that your project is lawful and prevents problems when selling the property. We prepare the LDC drawings and application on your behalf.

Our experience in Ealing

We cover all Ealing postcodes: W3, W5, W7, W13, UB1, UB2, UB5, UB6, NW10. Whether your property is in a conservation area, affected by an Article 4 Direction, or in an unrestricted residential street, we have experience with Ealing Council and understand the borough's planning policies.

Our MCIAT chartered architectural technologists prepare planning drawings and building regulations drawings for residential projects across Ealing. We handle the full process from initial measured survey through to planning submission, and we liaise with Ealing Council on your behalf.

We also work in Ealing's neighbouring boroughs:

Frequently asked questions