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Greenwich · Dropped Kerb · 2026

Dropped Kerb Planning Permission in Greenwich: 2026 Guide

Greenwich has significant conservation area coverage at 16%, and several streets are covered by design guidance that affects dropped kerb applications. Householder approvals in Greenwich run at around 79% with an average decision time of 10 weeks.

Verdict
Likely needs planning permission

A dropped kerb in Greenwich 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.

Planning Constraints in Greenwich for Dropped Kerb

Conservation area coverage
16%
Approval rate (Greenwich)
79%
Avg. decision time
10 weeks
Article 4 directions
1
Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site
Thames floodplain in northern wards
Numerous conservation areas in Blackheath and Greenwich
Article 4 directions in Greenwich
  • HMO Article 4 in specified wards

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 Greenwich

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission for a dropped kerb in Greenwich?

In Greenwich, the answer depends on whether your property sits in a conservation area (16% 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 Greenwich?

Conservation areas in Greenwich 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 Royal Borough of Greenwich assess conservation area proposals against the specific character appraisal for the street.

How long does a dropped kerb application take to decide in Greenwich?

Royal Borough of Greenwich currently averages around 10 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.

Next step

Check your specific address in Greenwich

Address-level constraints and recent decisions around the corner. No drawings needed.