Planning in Croydon

Before submission

Validation requirements

Croydon Council requires developers to submit planning applications via the Planning Portal, including all mandatory documentation as defined in the council's Local Validation checklist.

• Applicants must adhere to the Local Validation checklist, which details national and additional local information requirements for planning assessment.
• All supporting documents uploaded must be less than 5MB in size.
• Paper submissions, if used instead of the online portal, require 3 copies of all documents.
• The council strictly limits negotiations on submitted applications to exceptional circumstances and advises using pre-application services.

SourceCroydon — 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.

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.

Article 4 directions in Croydon remove permitted development rights in specific areas, necessitating planning permission for works that would otherwise be permitted.

• Planning permission is specifically required for small HMO conversions.
• Designated areas include Chatsworth Road and The Waldrons conservation areas, and specific sites such as Kenley Aerodrome, Kenley Lane/Hawkhirst Road, and Mitchley Hill/Dunmail Drive.
• Permission is required at Dipsley's Shaw to station caravans for more than 28 days total per calendar year, excluding travelling showmen.
• Construction of access to the highway known as Pittville Gardens in South Norwood requires planning permission.

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