Dropped Kerb Planning Permission in City of London: 2026 Guide

City of London has one of London's highest conservation area coverages at 80%, which affects many dropped kerb proposals. Householder approvals in City of London run at around 72% with an average decision time of 12 weeks.

Verdict

Likely needs planning permission

A dropped kerb in City of London is likely to need a full householder application because local constraints commonly remove the permitted development route. Verify with an address-level check before you commission drawings.

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Planning Constraints in City of London for Dropped Kerb

Conservation area coverage

80%

Approval rate (City of London)

72%

Avg. decision time

12 weeks

Article 4 directions

Almost entirely commercial

Very small residential stock

Heritage and viewing corridor protections

Article 4 directions in City of London

• Multiple Article 4 directions affecting office-to-residential conversion and shopfronts

Permitted Development Rules

Dropped kerbs are not covered by permitted development rights. They require a crossover/vehicle crossing application to the highways authority and, if the front garden exceeds 5m², a paving planning application alongside.

Vehicle crossover application required to the borough highways team.
If the front garden is paved and exceeds 5m², a planning application for the hardstanding is also required (unless permeable materials are used).
Sightlines from the driveway must meet the council's highways standards.
Trees on the highway cannot be removed to create the crossover in most boroughs.
Most boroughs require the applicant to pay for the crossover construction.

Read the full dropped kerb planning guide for the national rules and application process.

Recent Dropped Kerb Decisions in City of London

The CanUBuild checker surfaces real recent applications close to your address — approvals and refusals — so you can see what the planning officers at City of London Corporation have approved for comparable schemes. Nearby precedent is one of the strongest signals for your own chances.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission for a dropped kerb in City of London?

In City of London, the answer depends on whether your property sits in a conservation area (80% of the borough), is listed, or falls within an Article 4 direction. A dropped kerb is not covered by permitted development and normally requires its own consent process. Check your exact address with the CanUBuild checker before spending on drawings.

Can I build a dropped kerb in a conservation area in City of London?

Conservation areas in City of London typically remove several permitted development freedoms. For a dropped kerb, the Larger Home Extension route and some external alterations do not apply, so a full householder application is usually required. Planning officers at City of London Corporation assess conservation area proposals against the specific character appraisal for the street.

How long does a dropped kerb application take to decide in City of London?

City of London Corporation currently averages around 12 weeks for householder applications. Complex dropped kerb proposals — particularly those in conservation areas or on listed buildings — can take longer. Prior approval decisions for Larger Home Extensions are typically issued in 42 days.

You may also want

Planning permission in City of London Dropped Kerb planning permission Rear Extension planning permission in City of London Dropped Kerb planning permission in Westminster

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