Which Bexley postcodes does this conservation area application service cover?
Each Bexley postcode district we draw in, what its streets are built of, and the authority validating a conservation area application there. The fee figures are the government's statutory England rates for 2026, and they sit apart from what the drawings themselves cost.
| Postcode | Area | Dominant stock | What it means for a conservation area application |
|---|
| SE2 | Abbey Wood | 1930s semi-detached is the dominant type, with Victorian cottages surviving in Bexley Village and Crayford, and post-war estate housing at Thamesmead and Erith | SE2 is Abbey Wood, sitting right on the boundary: the application may be validated by Greenwich Council or by Bexley Council, so establish which one before SE2 drawings are issued. |
| DA1 | Crayford / Dartford fringe | Victorian terraces, 1930s semi-detached | A designation binds only the council that made it. Bexley's conservation areas were designated by Bexley, are managed under Bexley's own appraisals, and cover the Crayford end of DA1. East of the Greater London boundary the district is Kent: there Dartford Borough Council designated its own areas, publishes its own management plans and determines what happens inside them. No DA1-wide map exists. Check the address against the register held by the authority that actually covers it. |
| DA5 | Old Bexley | Georgian villas, Victorian cottages | Old Bexley lies wholly within DA5 and wholly within the borough, so Bexley Council validates every conservation area application coming from a DA5 address. |
| DA6 | Bexleyheath | 1930s semi-detached | DA6 is Bexleyheath, entirely inside the borough, so a conservation area application from a DA6 address goes to Bexley Council. |
| DA7 | Bexleyheath / Barnehurst | 1930s semi-detached | Bexleyheath / Barnehurst sits wholly inside DA7, so Bexley Council validates every conservation area application submitted from an DA7 address. |
| DA8 | Erith | Victorian terraces, post-war estates | A conservation area application at an DA8 address in Erith is determined by Bexley Council under its own Local Plan policies for Erith. |
| DA14 | Sidcup | 1930s semi-detached, Edwardian villas | Sidcup sits inside DA14, and that district does not cross the boundary, so Bexley Council validates conservation area applications submitted from there. |
Which Bexley neighbourhoods suit a conservation area application best?
Two houses on the same Bexley street can differ in roof pitch, in wall construction and in how far the plot runs back. All three decide what a conservation area application can realistically propose.
- Barnehurst (DA7) — a conservation area application in Barnehurst starts from 1930s semi-detached, and Barnehurst reads as 1930s semi-detached. On these 1930s semis the prior approval route often replaces a full application in DA7. Bexley Council assesses Barnehurst conservation area applications against its own Barnehurst character guidance, and the location plan we draw for Barnehurst references Barnehurst station.
- Bexleyheath (DA6, DA7) — a conservation area application in Bexleyheath starts from 1930s semi-detached, and Bexleyheath reads as 1930s semi-detached. On these 1930s semis the prior approval route often replaces a full application in DA6. Bexley Council assesses Bexleyheath conservation area applications against its own Bexleyheath character guidance, and the location plan we draw for Bexleyheath references Bexleyheath Broadway.
- Sidcup (DA14, DA15) — 1930s semi-detached, Edwardian villas defines Sidcup, where 1930s semi-detached, edwardian villas set what a conservation area application can do. Edwardian houses here typically need the same householder set plus a roof plan where a dormer is proposed across DA14. Any Sidcup conservation area application is validated by Bexley Council, with Sidcup station the usual Sidcup reference point on the site plan.
- Welling (DA16) — conservation area application work in Welling means 1930s semi-detached. Welling is 1930s semi-detached. On these 1930s semis the prior approval route often replaces a full application throughout DA16. Bexley Council decides the Welling application, and Welling High Street anchors the Welling location plan.
- Erith (DA8) — a conservation area application in Erith starts from victorian terraces, post-war estates, and Erith reads as Victorian terraces, post-war estates. Most applications on these Victorian streets are householder applications validated on existing and proposed plans in DA8. Bexley Council assesses Erith conservation area applications against its own Erith character guidance, and the location plan we draw for Erith references Erith Riverside.
- Crayford (DA1) — a conservation area application in Crayford starts from victorian terraces, 1930s semi-detached, and Crayford reads as Victorian terraces, 1930s semi-detached. Most applications on these Victorian streets are householder applications validated on existing and proposed plans in DA1. Bexley Council assesses Crayford conservation area applications against its own Crayford character guidance, and the location plan we draw for Crayford references Crayford station.
- Old Bexley (DA5) — Georgian and Victorian village conservation defines Old Bexley, where georgian villas, victorian cottages set what a conservation area application can do. Applications on Georgian stock here almost always need a heritage statement alongside the drawings across DA5. Any Old Bexley conservation area application is validated by Bexley Council, with Old Bexley Village the usual Old Bexley reference point on the site plan.
Does Bexley planning policy restrict a conservation area application?
How designation changes a Bexley conservation area application: the council's own list names 16 areas, Old Bexley, Crayford and Welling included. Inside any of them permitted development is no longer available, so the scheme goes in as a full householder application — £548 and eight weeks, rather than £249 and six for a prior approval. The odds remain good even so. Householder refusals here ran at 237 from 2,859 decisions across that three-year run, well under the 17.0% the 33 boroughs record between them (MHCLG PS1 returns, read this September). Welling sets the tone for how Bexley handles this casework.
Bexley permitted development status: there is no borough-wide direction from Bexley Council, so a conservation area application at a DA1 address is normally still permitted development. We certify that with a £274 Lawful Development Certificate rather than leaving a Bexley sale to argue it later.
Bexley housing stock: 1930s semi-detached dominates; Victorian cottages in Bexley Village and Crayford; post-war estates in Thamesmead and Erith. Outer south-east London suburban; very permissive planning environment; strong PD uptake for extensions and loft conversions. Read that before choosing a conservation area application route in Bexley — construction, not postcode, sets what is achievable.
Which neighbouring authorities border Bexley?
- Greenwich — adjoining Bexley, with 20 conservation areas centred on SE3. A conservation area application on the far side of the Bexley line is determined by Greenwich Council, so the Bexley quote for conservation area applications is checked against Greenwich guidance before it is issued.
- Bromley — adjoining Bexley, with 48 conservation areas centred on BR1. A conservation area application on the far side of the Bexley line is determined by Bromley Council, so the Bexley quote for conservation area applications is checked against Bromley guidance before it is issued.
Sources for this Bexley conservation area application page: borough policies maps and
conservation-area registers (2025–26), Royal Mail postcode district boundaries,
the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (England) Regulations, the Town
and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 as amended,
and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
