Planning in Hammersmith and Fulham

Before submission

Validation requirements

The council provides a specific checklist of required documents for planning applications to ensure processing can begin. Applicants must verify flood risk zone status, submit energy statements for major projects, and provide construction method statements.

• Properties in flood risk zones must include a flood risk assessment.
• Major applications must submit an energy statement.
• A construction method statement is required to detail site management and mitigate neighbour nuisance.
• Design and access statements are mandatory for major applications, listed buildings, and specific developments in conservation areas.

SourceHammersmith and Fulham — 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.

Hammersmith and Fulham has enacted Article 4 Directions to restrict permitted development rights in numerous conservation areas, requiring planning permission for alterations that would otherwise be exempt. Specific areas affected include Abdale Road, Bishops Park, Bradmore, Brook Green, Hammersmith Grove, and various other streets throughout the borough.

• Directions apply to defined conservation areas including Central Fulham, Hurlingham, Parsons Green, and Ravenscourt and Starch Green.
• These restrictions are established to protect building character from unsuitable alterations.

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