Westminster
Planning & Building Contacts

Over 11,000 listed buildings - approximately 80% of all buildings in the borough are listed. Around 60 conservation areas cover almost the entire built environment. The Westminster World Heritage Site (Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and St Margaret's Church) is subject to the most stringent heritage assessment requirements. Regent's Park, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park are all Royal Parks with specific management frameworks. Soho, Mayfair, Marylebone and Pimlico all have distinct planning character areas. Pre-application advice is not just recommended - it is effectively essential.

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.

Westminster's heritage assets are of global significance. The Palace of Westminster (Grade I, UNESCO WHS) and Westminster Abbey (Grade I, UNESCO WHS) are among the most important historic buildings in the world. Buckingham Palace (Grade II*), St James's Palace (Grade I), 10 Downing Street (Grade I) and the Spencer House (Grade I) are among hundreds of exceptional listed buildings. The West End has the finest surviving ensemble of Georgian townscape in the world. Around 60 conservation areas protect almost every part of the historic built environment. 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.

Thames tidal flood risk affects the Victoria Embankment and parts of Pimlico and Westminster - some areas lie within Flood Zone 3. The buried River Tyburn creates some residual surface water issues in the Marylebone area. A Flood Risk Assessment is required for development in flood risk zones. Surface water flooding is a risk across the heavily urbanised borough.