Do You Need Planning Permission to Render Your House in London?

Daniel Nikolla

Oct 11

2 min read

Often you don't, but there are important exceptions in London. The rules below follow the Planning Portal's guidance, and your local council always has the final say.

When you usually don't need permission

Replacing existing render with render of a similar appearance is generally treated as permitted development, so no planning application is needed.

Detached house with brick and a freshly rendered section under scaffold, by Alb Render

When you probably do

Conservation areas. London has a great many. Cladding a house with render usually needs planning permission in a conservation area.
National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The same applies.
Listed buildings. You will need listed building consent.
Flats and maisonettes. These don't have permitted development rights, so changes to the look of the building usually need permission.
Changing the look of the house. Rendering for the first time, changing the type of render or changing the colour can alter the external appearance, which may need permission.
Article 4 directions. Some councils remove permitted development rights in certain streets, including in some conservation areas.

Planning permission and Building Regulations are different

Even when planning permission isn't needed, Building Regulations may apply, particularly to external wall insulation, which changes the thermal performance of the wall. Your installer and local building control can advise.

Other permissions to check

Freeholders and leases. Leaseholders usually need the freeholder's consent.
Title deeds and covenants. Some properties have restrictions on changing the exterior.
Scaffold on the pavement. A highway licence from the council is normally needed if scaffold is placed on public land. Confirm who arranges it.

How to check

Look up your address on your borough council's planning map to see if it is in a conservation area.
Check the Planning Portal guidance on rendering.
Ask your council's planning team, or apply for a lawful development certificate if you want written proof that the work is lawful.

How Alb Render can help

We can't give planning advice for your address, but we can provide photos, specifications and colour samples for your application and tell you what is typically approved on similar homes. Send your postcode and photos to us on WhatsApp on 07846 928256.