Planning in Bexley

Before submission

Validation requirements

Applicants must consult the local Planning application requirements document to determine submission needs.

• Applicants are advised to check property constraints including Article 4 Directions, Conservation Areas, and Tree Preservation Orders.
• Specific file constraints apply, including a 5MB maximum size limit per attachment and the exclusion of CAD drawing formats.
• Drawings must include a scale bar and specified print dimensions for documents larger than A3.

SourceBexley — application requirements(opens in a new tab)· checked 2026-10-07

Timescales

Realistic decision times

Statutory target

The national determination period set in law, counted from validation. A target, not a guarantee.

Actual processing time

What the council's published performance data shows in practice, including extensions of time.

Allow for validation before the decision period starts. The usual statutory determination periods in England are 8 weeks for non-major applications, 13 weeks for major development and 16 weeks where environmental impact assessment is required, unless a different period is agreed.

• These are statutory targets, not a measured borough average or a guarantee. No current borough-specific average has been verified for this guide.
• An incomplete submission, amendments, committee referral or an agreed extension of time can extend the overall programme.
• Ask the planning team about its current validation queue before setting a construction date. Prior approval and other specialist applications can have different statutory periods.
• Fast Track Planning service targets are 10 working days from validation for a Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) and 20 working days for a Larger Home Extension (Prior Approval). Check the application guidance linked above for the latest position.

SourceGOV.UK — determining a planning application(opens in a new tab)· checked 2026-10-07

Permitted development

Article 4 restrictions

These are selected directions, not an exhaustive address search. Read the council’s current map, schedule, commencement date and any later modifications for your property. A conservation area is not automatically an Article 4 area, and a direction affecting changes of use does not necessarily restrict a home extension. Confirm the responsible planning authority too: some development-corporation areas have separate arrangements.

Bexley has implemented multiple Article 4 Directions to withdraw specific Permitted Development rights.

• A borough-wide direction effectively removed rights to convert Class C3 dwellinghouses to Class C4 HMOs since 24 September 2017.
• Directions in 13 designated town centres (effective 10 December 2025) and designated industrial locations (effective 8 January 2025) restrict Class MA rights to convert commercial Class E uses to residential.

SourceBexley — Article 4 information(opens in a new tab)· checked 2026-10-07