Planning applications in Lambeth

Planning in Lambeth

In Lambeth almost every kind of home project is refused more often than it is nationally, and windows and doors show it most clearly. More than 7,000 window and door applications have been made, and about 1 in 5 was refused, against about 1 in 9 across the areas we cover. If you are applying for planning permission in Lambeth, be ready for scrutiny of even small changes.

Since 2019 the council has handled more than 30,000 applications, and about 1 in 6 was refused, compared with about 1 in 7 nationally. Rear extensions are the biggest group, at nearly 9,000 applications, and about 1 in 5 was refused. Side extensions, front extensions and porches, and garden rooms and outbuildings are about 1 in 5 as well. Loft conversions and dormers, the toughest of the main groups, are refused about 1 in 4 times, compared with about 1 in 5 nationally. Solar panels are about 1 in 5, against about 1 in 9 nationally. Fences, walls and gates, at about 1 in 6, are closer to the council’s average, and driveways and dropped kerbs, at about 1 in 5, match the national rate.

Refusal reasons point mainly to design. Of the 662 refusals we read, half mentioned size, bulk or design. About four in ten cited the look of the street or area, a third raised heritage, and a little over a fifth said not enough information had been supplied or raised highways. Neighbours’ light, privacy or outlook came up in under one in five.

Lambeth has 63 conservation areas, 945 listed buildings and 219 Article 4 directions, so many homes will be in a protected setting. Householder decisions take about 8 weeks at the median, and just over half were decided within 8 weeks over 2023 to 2025.

Among neighbours, Lambeth refuses less often than Bromley (about 1 in 4) and Croydon (about 1 in 5), and more often than Merton (about 1 in 7), Westminster (about 1 in 10), Southwark and Wandsworth (both about 1 in 15). The refusal rate in 2025 was about 1 in 5, the same as the three years before, on 3,623 applications compared with an average of about 3,806. The busiest year on record was 2021 with 4,419.

Figures in this section as of 9 October 2026.