Bexley
Planning & Building Contacts

Around 20 conservation areas protect historic villages and suburban streets. The borough has significant Green Belt in the east, including Crayford Marshes, which limits development pressure. Erith Quarry and the Thames riverside are identified as regeneration areas. Former industrial and contaminated land in Erith and Crayford requires site investigation. Biggin Hill Airport to the south (in Bromley) creates some noise contour considerations near the southern boundary.

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.

Hall Place and Gardens (Grade I listed, Borough managed) is the principal heritage asset - a Tudor and Stuart manor house in an exceptional riverside setting. The borough has around 20 conservation areas including Old Bexley village, Crayford and several suburban residential areas. Listed building numbers are lower than inner London but include several significant ecclesiastical buildings. 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 from the tidal Thames affects the Erith and Belvedere riverside areas significantly - large parts lie within Flood Zones 2 and 3. The Rivers Cray, Shuttle and Darent also create local flood risk in Bexley village and Crayford. A Flood Risk Assessment is required for development in flood risk zones and should be obtained from a qualified specialist.