around 210
Listed buildings
9 wks
Typical decision time
Approval rate is the overall planning approval rate for all applications decided by the council, YE Dec 2025, per MHCLG Live Table P124.
Planning in Brent
Brent is a London planning authority handling the full range of residential projects: rear and side extensions, loft conversions, basement extensions, outbuildings, prior approval applications, new build infill and change of use. Brent has 22 designated conservation areas and around 210 listed buildings, plus multiple Article 4 directions in force that remove permitted development rights in specific streets. Brent's Local Plan (adopted February 2022) emphasises residential intensification around Wembley, Park Royal and Willesden, with tighter design controls in the borough's Edwardian conservation areas. The council's overall planning approval rate was 79% for year ending December 2025 per MHCLG Live Table P124, reported by the London Borough of Brent. If your property sits inside a conservation area, behind an Article 4 direction or on a listed building, assume you will need full planning permission rather than permitted development.
Why Brent refuses planning applications
The commonest reasons London Borough of Brent officers give when refusing householder planning applications - across extensions, loft conversions, basements, outbuildings and other residential projects - based on published committee reports:
- Harm to the character or appearance of a conservation area
- Overlooking and loss of privacy to neighbouring windows
- Bulk, scale or massing out of character with the terrace
- Loss of private amenity space below the 50% retention threshold
- Conflict with the council's adopted design or heritage policy
Brent council resources
Authoritative Brent planning sources you can cross-check:
Last reviewed by Jonathan Blewitt (founder, Mayfair Studio) on 11 April 2026. Approval rate sourced from MHCLG quarterly live tables (YE Dec 2025). Conservation area, Article 4 and listed building counts cross-referenced against planning.data.gov.uk. This page is reviewed quarterly.