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 Hillingdon
Hillingdon 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. Hillingdon has 31 designated conservation areas, plus multiple Article 4 directions in force that remove permitted development rights in specific streets. Hillingdon is the western gateway borough dominated by Heathrow Airport and the Colne Valley regional park, with a Local Plan Part 1 from 2012 and Part 2 from 2020 currently under review. The council's overall planning approval rate was 84% for year ending December 2025 per MHCLG Live Table P124, reported by the London Borough of Hillingdon. 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 Hillingdon refuses planning applications
The commonest reasons London Borough of Hillingdon 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
Hillingdon council resources
Authoritative Hillingdon 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.