Erection of two storey end of terrace dwelling house in Bexley

Securing Planning Permission for a New Build House in Bexley

Unlocking Development Potential on Corner and End of Terrace Plots

This case study highlights how 4D Planning successfully secured planning permission in Bexley for the erection of a two storey end of terrace dwelling, including alterations to the curtilage and provision of off-street parking.

The site at 1 Groombridge Close presented a classic small site development opportunity, with a large side garden located on a corner plot. These types of sites are often underutilised and, when approached correctly, can deliver high-quality new homes that align with both local and London-wide planning policy.

As confirmed in the submitted planning statement, the proposal involved a new 2 bed dwelling with a GIA of 79m2, designed to match the scale, height and materials of the existing terrace, ensuring a cohesive and policy compliant development.

Planning Strategy for Approval in Bexley

Policy Led Approach to Small Site Development

A key part of securing planning permission in Bexley is aligning the proposal with both local policy and the London Plan, particularly policies relating to small sites and housing delivery.

In this case, the planning strategy focused on:

• Demonstrating efficient use of land in line with the NPPF and London Plan Policy H2
• Showing that the proposal contributes to Bexley’s housing targets
• Designing a scheme that respects the character and grain of the existing terrace
• Ensuring full compliance with London Plan space standards

The planning statement clearly established that small sites such as this are essential to increasing housing supply across London, particularly in sustainable suburban locations.

Addressing Key Planning Considerations

Design, Character and Streetscene

One of the main challenges with end of terrace developments is ensuring that the new dwelling integrates seamlessly with the existing street.

The proposal carefully mirrored the existing property in terms of:

• Ridge height and overall scale
• Materials and architectural detailing
• Building line and relationship to the street

Importantly, the planning statement demonstrated that there is no single dominant built form at the junction, allowing flexibility in design while still maintaining visual consistency.

Residential Amenity and Garden Space

Bexley Council places strong emphasis on maintaining good living conditions for both existing and future occupiers.

The scheme achieved this by:

• Retaining a generous private garden of approx. 80m2 for the original dwelling
• Providing a separate private garden of approx. 55m2 for the new house
• Ensuring no harmful overlooking, loss of light or sense of enclosure

This level of provision is consistent with local expectations and was a key factor in the approval.

Parking and Access

Parking and access are often critical in suburban boroughs such as Bexley.

The proposal included:

• A permeable parking area for 3 cars accessed from Westwood Lane
• Dedicated refuse storage
• Rear access to both dwellings

The planning statement confirmed that this approach not only met policy requirements but also improved the existing parking situation on site.

Importance of Planning Precedent in Bexley

A strong element of the application was the identification of local precedent.

Planning permission had already been granted for a similar development directly opposite the site (Ref: 21/03014/FUL). This helped demonstrate that:

• The principle of side infill development is acceptable in the area
• The character of the street can accommodate additional dwellings
• The proposal would not be out of keeping with the surrounding context

This type of evidence is often decisive in securing planning permission.

Why This Planning Application Was Successful

This scheme was approved because it achieved a clear balance between optimising housing delivery and respecting local character including neighbours, street scape design and parking considerations.

The proposal:

• Delivered an additional high-quality dwelling on a small site
• Maintained the character and appearance of the area
• Provided compliant amenity space and parking
• Met all relevant Bexley Local Plan and London Plan policies

As concluded in the planning statement, the development was considered to be fully compliant with national, regional and local planning policy and therefore acceptable in planning terms.

Planning Permission in Bexley for New Build Houses

This case study demonstrates that securing planning permission for a new-build house in Bexley is achievable where a clear and policy-led strategy is adopted.

End-of-terrace and corner plots offer strong development potential, particularly where there is surplus land. However, success depends on:

• Careful design that reflects the existing streetscape
• Strong planning justification
• Understanding of local policy and precedent

Work With 4D Planning

At 4D Planning, we specialise in securing planning permission for new build houses, infill developments and residential schemes across Bexley and London.

From initial feasibility through to planning approval, we provide a full service tailored to maximise your chances of success.

If you have a similar site or are considering developing land at the side of your property, get in touch with our team for expert advice.