Camden
Planning & Building Contacts

Around 40 conservation areas cover the vast majority of Camden's built environment. Bloomsbury contains a world-class concentration of Georgian terraces, many in conservation areas and with listed building status. Hampstead Heath is a Metropolitan Open Land designation. Camden Town and King's Cross are significant regeneration and mixed-use areas. The Regent's Canal passes through the borough. Pre-application advice is strongly recommended for any non-trivial project.

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.

Camden has one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings in London. The Bloomsbury area contains exceptional Georgian townscape including British Museum (Grade I), Senate House (Grade II*) and hundreds of listed Georgian terraces. Hampstead has the highest density of listed buildings in outer and semi-outer London, with Kenwood House (Grade I, English Heritage) and Fenton House (Grade I, National Trust) among the principal assets. The Regent's Canal conservation area covers the canal corridor through Camden Town. 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 Camden is relatively limited but affects properties near the River Fleet (now culverted) and Hampstead ponds overflow routes. The Fleet valley - broadly running through Kentish Town and St Pancras - has some Flood Zone 2 and 3 areas. King's Cross development was subject to detailed flood risk assessment. Check the Environment Agency flood map for specific properties near former watercourse routes.