Barnet
Planning & Building Contacts

Over 55 conservation areas make Barnet one of the most heritage-rich outer London boroughs. The Green Belt covers significant areas in the north, including Totteridge Valley (SSSI). Brent Cross Cricklewood is a major regeneration area with significant planning policy implications for the surrounding transport corridors. Mill Hill East, Colindale and New Barnet are also designated as housing growth areas.

Building regulations approval is required for most structural work, extensions, loft conversions, new windows and heating system changes. You may use either the council's own building control service or a private Approved Inspector. For listed buildings, building control must be coordinated with Listed Building Consent requirements.

Hampstead Garden Suburb is the borough's most significant heritage environment - a nationally important early 20th century planned garden suburb with over 1,500 listed buildings. The suburb's Article 4 Direction is unusually comprehensive. Wyldes Farm (Grade II*) at the edge of Hampstead Heath, and Church Farmhouse Museum (Grade II*) in Hendon are notable assets. The borough has one of the largest concentrations of listed buildings in outer London. Listed Building Consent is required in addition to planning permission for any works to a listed building that would affect its special architectural or historic interest, including internal works.

Flood risk in Barnet is concentrated along the River Brent, Dollis Brook and Silk Stream corridors. Barnet acts as Lead Local Flood Authority for surface water flooding. Properties near watercourses in areas such as Mill Hill, Finchley and Hendon should be checked using the Environment Agency's flood map before development proceeds.