Ealing
Planning in Ealing is handled by the London Borough of Ealing. Many projects, such as single-storey rear and side-return extensions or loft conversions, can fall under permitted development, but conservation areas and the borough's HMO Article 4 Direction often require a full application. AVA Home Design guides each project through.
Ealing has been called the "Queen of the Suburbs" since the Victorians, and the housing bears it out: large Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semis along wide avenues. AVA Home Design, led by Architectural Technologist Sevda Kucuk with 17 years of experience and a 90% planning approval rate, works with owners across the borough on extending, converting and reworking these houses. The local planning authority is the London Borough of Ealing.
Period stock of this kind takes a side-return extension particularly well, along with rear extensions, loft conversions and a rethink of the internal layout. The rail, Underground and Elizabeth line connections also keep demand up for HMOs and flat conversions, though the council now controls those tightly. We prepare the drawings, the application and the supporting documents each scheme needs.
Local planning notes
- The London Borough of Ealing is the local planning authority for the area.
- Ealing has confirmed Article 4 Directions removing permitted development rights for converting a single-family home (Use Class C3) into a small HMO (Use Class C4): an immediate direction took effect in Perivale ward on 30 October 2024, and a borough-wide non-immediate direction (excluding Perivale and the OPDC area) took effect on 14 November 2025, meaning full planning permission is now required for these conversions.
- The borough contains numerous conservation areas, including Ealing Common, Ealing Town Centre and the Brentham Garden Estate, where extra controls apply and permitted development rights are often restricted.
- Ealing earned the title "Queen of the Suburbs" in Victorian and Edwardian times, and its housing stock of large period terraces and semi-detached homes suits side-return extensions, rear extensions and loft conversions.
- Rail, Underground and Elizabeth line connections keep demand up for HMOs and flat conversions, both of which are tightly controlled under the borough's current policies.
Services in Ealing
- House ExtensionsRear, side, wraparound and double-storey. From concept to build-ready drawings.
- Loft ConversionsDormer, L-shaped and mansard. The top floor people forget they own.
- HMOs & ConversionsFlat conversions and HMO design optimised for yield and compliance.
- Garage ConversionsThe most cost-effective extra room your house already has.
- OutbuildingsStudios, gyms, offices. Permitted development specialists.
- Planning ApplicationsHigh success rate across 12 London and Home Counties councils.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need planning permission in Ealing?
- It depends on the project and its location. Many single-storey rear and side-return extensions and loft conversions can fall under permitted development, but homes in Ealing's conservation areas, or those affected by the HMO Article 4 Direction, often need a full planning application to the London Borough of Ealing. AVA Home Design can assess your property and advise on the right route.
- Can I still convert a house into a small HMO in Ealing?
- You can, but you now generally need full planning permission. Ealing's Article 4 Directions have removed the permitted development right to convert a single-family home (Use Class C3) into a small HMO (Use Class C4) across most of the borough, so each conversion is assessed on its merits. AVA Home Design can prepare and submit the application for you.
- What type of extension works best on an Ealing period house?
- Ealing's large Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semi-detached homes are well suited to side-return extensions that fill in the original side passage, rear extensions that open up the kitchen and living space, and loft conversions that add bedrooms. We design to the character of your particular house, and to what the council has said it wants to see.