Home/Greenwich/Garden Room planning permission
Greenwich · Garden Room · 2026

Garden Room Planning Permission in Greenwich: 2026 Guide

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

Verdict
May be permitted development

A garden room in Greenwich can often be permitted development when it stays within size and design limits and no local constraint applies to your address. Always confirm at address level.

Planning Constraints in Greenwich for Garden Room

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

Outbuildings including garden rooms are permitted development under GPDO Schedule 2, Part 1, Class E, provided they are incidental to the enjoyment of the house.

  • Maximum height 2.5m if within 2m of any boundary.
  • Maximum eaves height 2.5m and overall height 4m (dual-pitched roof) or 3m (any other roof).
  • Must not be forward of the principal elevation fronting a highway.
  • Total footprint of all outbuildings cannot exceed 50% of the original curtilage.
  • Must be single-storey.
  • Use must be incidental to the dwelling — not primary residential accommodation.
  • Verandas, balconies and raised platforms are not allowed.

Read the full garden room planning guide for the national rules and application process.

Recent Garden Room 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 garden room 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. Most garden room proposals are permitted development for houses when they stay within GPDO limits and no local constraint applies. Check your exact address with the CanUBuild checker before spending on drawings.

Can I build a garden room in a conservation area in Greenwich?

Conservation areas in Greenwich typically remove several permitted development freedoms. For a garden room, 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 garden room application take to decide in Greenwich?

Royal Borough of Greenwich currently averages around 10 weeks for householder applications. Complex garden room 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.