Local planning policy field guide
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea planning policy summary
Explore Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s planning requirements for common proposals, with the local tests, application evidence and official documents gathered in one place.
AI-generated from the linked official sources; not editorially reviewed. How these summaries are prepared.
- Local answers
- 21
- Official documents cited
- 2
- Planning sections
- 12
- Sources checked
- 5 September 2026
What this guide covers
A bounded first release covering the adopted 2024 Local Plan and the current local validation list for common development-management questions.
Popular checks
Start with a common planning question
Section 1
Consent, policy and location
Current development plan and policy hierarchy
What current plan documents and retained policies does the authority say form the development plan, and how should conflicts or transitions be handled?
Applications are determined against the development plan, comprising the London Plan, the Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan and any made neighbourhood plan applying to the site.
- When this answer applies
- All planning applications in the borough; neighbourhood-plan policies depend on location.
Details and exceptions
- The policies map and the current London Plan must be checked alongside the borough plan.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Introduction, Development Plan context, printed p. 18 (PDF p. 19)
Other planning topics11
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Neighbourhood plan applicability
- Site allocations and site-specific policy
- Design codes and masterplans
- Settlement boundaries
- Countryside development
- Green Belt development
- Local separation and green-wedge designations
- Planning permission and application route
- Permitted development and local limitations
- Prior approval requirements
- Article 4 directions
Section 2
Neighbour amenity
Daylight, sunlight, overshadowing and overbearing impact
How does the authority assess daylight, sunlight, overshadowing and overbearing impact?
Policy CD9 requires good daylight and sunlight for new occupiers and no material worsening of daylight or sunlight for neighbours. Assessments should use the most recent Building Research Establishment guidance where relevant.
- When this answer applies
- Development capable of affecting daylight, sunlight, overshadowing or enclosure for homes and other sensitive occupiers.
Details and exceptions
- The policy calls for a contextual assessment rather than a single automatic pass or refusal threshold.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy CD9 and paragraphs 6.78–6.80, printed pp. 248–250 (PDF pp. 249–251)
Related local appeal evidence
Neighbour living conditions
44 matched decision families in this local evidence view.
- 16 allowed
- 27 dismissed
- 1 other
Privacy, overlooking and separation
How does the authority assess privacy, overlooking and separation between buildings or amenity areas?
Policy CD9 requires reasonable visual privacy and protection from harmful overlooking or enclosure. Its supporting text says about 18 metres between directly opposing habitable-room windows will normally reduce intervisibility, while recognising that the borough's historic fabric often has closer relationships.
- When this answer applies
- Development with windows, terraces or other openings facing homes or private amenity space.
Details and exceptions
- The 18-metre reference is contextual guidance, not a universal minimum; levels, orientation, historic townscape and mitigation all matter.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy CD9 and paragraph 6.81, printed pp. 248–250 (PDF pp. 249–251)
Noise and vibration
What does the authority say about tests, limits, evidence and mitigation for noise and vibration?
Policies GB8 and CD9 require noise- and vibration-sensitive development to secure suitable internal and external conditions and prevent unacceptable effects on neighbouring occupiers.
- When this answer applies
- Noise-sensitive development and proposals likely to generate noise or vibration.
Details and exceptions
- Evidence and mitigation are proportionate to the source, receptor and site context; the policy does not provide one borough-wide numerical limit.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy GB8, printed pp. 148–151 (PDF pp. 149–152); Policy CD9, printed pp. 248–250
Other planning topics3
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Outlook and enclosure
- Odour, fumes and dust
- Artificial light and glare
Section 3
Design, form and character
Scale, height and massing
How does the authority assess scale, height, bulk and massing?
Policy CD8 identifies a tall building as 21 metres or more in mapped lower-height areas and 30 metres or more elsewhere, and requires tall-building proposals to satisfy the London Plan tall-building tests and borough design criteria.
- When this answer applies
- Buildings reaching the applicable mapped tall-building threshold.
Details and exceptions
- The policies map determines which height definition applies, and a building below the tall-building threshold must still satisfy ordinary scale, massing and heritage policies.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy CD8, Tall Buildings, printed pp. 241–247 (PDF pp. 242–248)
Character, context and placemaking
What does the authority say about responding to local character, townscape, context, public realm, legibility and inclusive or safe design?
Policy CD1 requires development to respond positively to local context, character and identity, including urban grain, scale, massing, materials, public realm and important views.
- When this answer applies
- All development, with the assessment proportionate to its scale and setting.
Details and exceptions
- Conservation-area, listed-building and site-specific policies add further requirements where relevant.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy CD1, Context and Character, printed pp. 224–227 (PDF pp. 225–228)
Related local appeal evidence
Area character and appearance
73 matched decision families in this local evidence view.
- 24 allowed
- 47 dismissed
- 3 other
Other planning topics7
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Layout, siting and building lines
- Side spacing and terracing
- Extensions
- Roof alterations and dormers
- Outbuildings and ancillary structures
- Materials and architectural detail
- Boundaries, frontages and entrances
Section 4
Residential quality and housing form
Internal space standards
What does the authority say about internal space, room size, ceiling height and storage?
Policy HO4 requires new homes to meet the nationally described space standard and the current London Plan's qualitative housing standards.
- When this answer applies
- New-build housing and other proposals creating self-contained homes.
Details and exceptions
- The current national and London Plan standards supply the detailed measurements and must be checked for the proposed occupancy and layout.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy HO4, Housing Quality and Standards, printed pp. 207–211 (PDF pp. 208–212)
Accessible and adaptable homes
What does the authority say about wheelchair, accessible and adaptable housing standards or proportions?
Policy HO4 expects 90% of new homes to meet M4(2) accessible and adaptable standards and 10% to meet M4(3) wheelchair-user standards.
- When this answer applies
- New housing, subject to the policy's application and the current Building Regulations framework.
Details and exceptions
- The detailed M4 standard and any London Plan implementation provisions should be confirmed for the scheme.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy HO4, Housing Quality and Standards, printed p. 207 (PDF p. 208)
Other planning topics10
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Private amenity space
- Shared amenity and play space
- Housing mix, size and density
- Older-person, care and supported housing
- Build to rent
- Student and co-living accommodation
- Annexes and ancillary accommodation
- Subdivision and flat conversion
- HMOs and room-based shared housing
- Infill, backland and garden development
Section 5
Movement, parking and servicing
Vehicle parking
What does the authority say about vehicle-parking quantities, dimensions, layout and flexibility?
Policy TR8 requires all development creating additional homes to be permit-free and keeps parking provision at or below current London Plan standards; non-residential parking is limited to essential operational need.
- When this answer applies
- Development creating additional homes or proposing vehicle parking.
Details and exceptions
- Accessible parking and essential operational parking are treated separately, and the current London Plan standards govern the numerical maximum.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy TR8, Vehicle Parking, printed pp. 340–341 (PDF pp. 341–342)
Cycle parking and storage
What does the authority say about cycle parking, storage and end-of-trip facilities?
Policy TR6 requires secure, accessible cycle parking and supporting facilities in line with current London Plan minimum standards.
- When this answer applies
- Development generating a need for resident, staff or visitor cycle parking.
Details and exceptions
- The current London Plan supplies the numerical standard by use and scale.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy TR6, Walking and Cycling, printed pp. 335–337 (PDF pp. 336–338)
Transport impacts, mitigation and monitoring
What does the authority say about assessing transport effects and securing mitigation, travel measures and monitoring?
Policy TR5 requires development to support sustainable transport and address transport effects through appropriate assessment, design and mitigation, including safe access and servicing.
- When this answer applies
- Development likely to generate or alter journeys, access, servicing or network conditions.
Details and exceptions
- The scale of transport evidence depends on the proposal, location and current transport-authority requirements.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy TR5, Land Use and Transport, printed pp. 332–334 (PDF pp. 333–335)
Other planning topics7
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Access, highway safety and visibility
- Accessible parking
- Electric-vehicle charging
- Turning, emergency access and tracking
- Servicing, loading and deliveries
- Refuse and recycling storage and collection
- Active travel and public transport
Section 6
Heritage, archaeology and views
Listed buildings and their setting
What does the authority say about works affecting a listed building or its setting, including separate consent?
Policy CD5 requires development to conserve listed buildings, their special architectural or historic interest and their settings, with significance and any harm clearly assessed and justified.
- When this answer applies
- Development affecting a listed building or its setting.
Details and exceptions
- The statutory listed-building duties and national heritage policy apply alongside the Local Plan.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy CD5, Listed Buildings, printed pp. 236–238 (PDF pp. 237–239)
Conservation areas
What does the authority say about development in or affecting a conservation area, including demolition?
Policy CD4 requires proposals to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of conservation areas and to respond to the features identified in relevant conservation-area appraisals.
- When this answer applies
- Development in a conservation area or affecting its setting.
Details and exceptions
- The relevant conservation-area appraisal and any Article 4 direction should be checked for the property.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy CD4, Conservation Areas, printed pp. 233–235 (PDF pp. 234–236)
Archaeology
What does the authority say about when archaeological interest should be assessed, evaluated, recorded or preserved?
Policy CD6 requires archaeological interest to be identified and assessed early, with preservation in situ sought where appropriate and investigation, recording and publication used where justified.
- When this answer applies
- Development affecting known or potential archaeological remains or an archaeological priority area.
Details and exceptions
- The scope of archaeological evidence depends on significance, mapped sensitivity and ground disturbance.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy CD6, Archaeology, printed pp. 238–240 (PDF pp. 239–241)
Other planning topics2
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Non-designated heritage assets
- Historic landscapes and important views
Section 7
Nature, landscape and open space
Trees and tree preservation
What does the authority say about trees, root protection, replacement and protected-tree constraints?
Policy GB16 protects trees of townscape, amenity, ecological or historic value and requires development to integrate retained trees and suitable replacement or new planting.
- When this answer applies
- Development affecting existing trees or providing new landscaping.
Details and exceptions
- Tree preservation orders, conservation-area controls and current arboricultural evidence must be checked at site level.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy GB16, Trees and Vegetation, printed pp. 174–179 (PDF pp. 175–180)
Other planning topics9
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Hedgerows
- Ancient woodland and veteran trees
- Protected species
- Designated habitats and impact zones
- Biodiversity net gain
- Nationally designated landscapes
- Landscape character and visual impact
- Local Green Space
- Green infrastructure, open space and recreation
Section 8
Flooding, environment and climate
Flood risk and the sequential approach
What does the authority say about flood zones, sequential and exception tests, vulnerability, levels and resilience?
Policy GB11 directs development away from areas at greatest flood risk and requires the sequential and, where necessary, exception tests and a site-specific flood-risk assessment.
- When this answer applies
- Development in mapped flood-risk areas or otherwise meeting national flood-risk assessment triggers.
Details and exceptions
- Current Environment Agency mapping, vulnerability classification and national policy determine the detailed evidence and test.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy GB11, Flood Risk, printed pp. 152–158 (PDF pp. 153–159)
Drainage and sustainable drainage
What does the authority say about surface-water hierarchy, runoff, attenuation, SuDS, adoption and maintenance?
Policy GB12 requires sustainable drainage that follows the drainage hierarchy, manages surface water safely and contributes to water quality, biodiversity and amenity where feasible.
- When this answer applies
- Development creating or changing impermeable area or surface-water drainage.
Details and exceptions
- The drainage strategy and discharge arrangement must respond to site conditions and current lead local flood authority requirements.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy GB12, Sustainable Drainage Systems, printed pp. 158–163 (PDF pp. 159–164)
Energy, carbon and sustainable construction
What does the authority say about energy hierarchy, operational or embodied carbon, renewable energy and sustainable construction for ordinary development?
Policies GB3 and GB4 require whole-life carbon consideration and energy-efficient, low-carbon development following the energy hierarchy, with net-zero operational carbon pursued in line with the current London Plan.
- When this answer applies
- New development and substantial refurbishment, with requirements proportionate to use and scale.
Details and exceptions
- The current London Plan, building regulations and policy-specific evidence requirements provide the detailed targets and accounting method.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policies GB3 and GB4, printed pp. 129–138 (PDF pp. 130–139)
Other planning topics8
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Coastal change and erosion
- Contaminated land
- Land stability and mining legacy
- Air quality
- Water environment, wastewater and nutrients
- Overheating and climate resilience
- Water efficiency
- Agricultural land and soils
Section 9
Housing delivery and contributions
Affordable housing
What does the authority say about affordable-housing thresholds, percentages, tenure or mix, delivery and exceptions?
Policy HO3 applies to residential development creating 650 square metres or more of gross internal area. It seeks 35% affordable housing on private land and 50% on public land, with the policy's tenure and viability routes applying.
- When this answer applies
- Housing development at or above 650 square metres gross internal area, including relevant mixed-use schemes.
Details and exceptions
- The London Plan threshold and fast-track route, land ownership, tenure mix, grant and viability evidence can change the required route and outcome.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy HO3, Community Housing and Affordable Housing, printed pp. 197–206 (PDF pp. 198–207)
Section 106 and infrastructure contributions
What does the authority say about planning obligations, infrastructure contributions, calculation and delivery?
Policy IP1 requires development to provide or fund the infrastructure needed to address its impacts, using planning obligations where the statutory tests are met and considering viability where justified.
- When this answer applies
- Development whose effects create a need for site works, infrastructure, affordable housing or other mitigation.
Details and exceptions
- The obligation must be necessary, directly related and fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind; Community Infrastructure Levy is a separate charge.
Sources used
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan— Policy IP1, Planning Obligations, printed pp. 345–348 (PDF pp. 346–349)
Other planning topics3
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Community Infrastructure Levy
- Viability
- Delivery, phasing and monitoring
Section 10
Application evidence and validation
Local validation list and core information
What does the authority say is required by its current local validation list, including forms, ownership notices, plans and core information?
Applications must include the national information and the locally required documents triggered by the Royal Borough's Local Validation List. The council identifies site-location and block plans as standard application documents and requires the relevant Community Infrastructure Levy form where development creates additional floorspace or brings vacant floorspace back into use.
- When this answer applies
- All applications, with additional local documents determined by proposal type, site constraints and the validation-list triggers.
Details and exceptions
- Validation is a procedural completeness check and does not establish that a proposal complies with policy.
Sources used
- Local Validation List (opens in a new tab)Validation requirement— Submitting an application page and Local Validation List, application-document and Community Infrastructure Levy requirements
Other planning topics11
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Design and Access and Planning Statements
- Heritage and archaeology evidence
- Trees, landscape, ecology and BNG evidence
- Flood, drainage and water evidence
- Transport, parking and travel evidence
- Ground and pollution evidence
- Energy, sustainability and climate evidence
- Affordable housing, viability and contributions evidence
- Construction, demolition and waste evidence
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Fire statements and planning-gateway evidence
Section 11
Economic, community and specialist uses
Other planning topics22
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Employment sites and premises
- Retail, town centres and main-town-centre uses
- Community facilities
- Tourism and visitor accommodation
- Agriculture and farm diversification
- Rural workers' dwellings
- Equestrian development
- Traveller, Gypsy and showpeople sites
- Caravan, camping and holiday parks
- Aviation, airports and aerodrome safeguarding
- Telecommunications
- Advertisements and signage
- Shopfront design
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Battery energy storage
- Other renewable and low-carbon infrastructure
- Hazardous installations and pipelines
- Defence, radar and technical safeguarding
- Ports and strategic transport infrastructure
- Minerals
- Waste development
Section 12
Separate consents and private matters
Other planning topics6
Keep these national checklist topics in mind alongside the local requirements above.
- Building Regulations
- Party Wall matters
- Private rights to light
- Covenants, boundaries and ownership
- Highway licences and adoption
- Environmental and other permits
Source library
Official documents used
Every requirement above links to its supporting document and source location. Browse all of the cited Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea sources together here.
Browse 2 cited documents
- Kensington and Chelsea Local Plan 2024 (opens in a new tab)Development plan
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea · Adopted 24 July 2024
View official document page (opens in a new tab) - Local Validation List (opens in a new tab)Validation requirement
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
View official document page (opens in a new tab)