Wraparound extension approved in the Metropolitan Green Belt
Planning consent secured for a single-storey side and rear wraparound extension to a semi-detached house inside the Metropolitan Green Belt, where national and local policy restrict the size of extensions.
NPPF Green Belt chapter · Croydon Local Plan · Householder permitted development limits
Single-storey side and rear wraparound extension · Full-width glazed rear elevation · Planning drawings, design and access statement
The problem the council had
The house sits within the Metropolitan Green Belt, where councils treat extensions as inappropriate development unless they are proportionate to the original building. The owners wanted a larger-than-usual extension - a full wraparound to the side and rear - which is exactly the kind of scheme that is routinely refused in the Green Belt.
What we changed
We designed the extension as a low, flat-roofed single-storey element that reads as subordinate to the main house, in brick to match the original with a run of bi-fold doors to the garden. The application set out clearly how the scheme met Croydon's tests for extensions in the Green Belt.
The decision
Approved under delegated powers by Croydon Council on 5 August 2026, reference 26/01544/HSE.
If your situation is similar
Can I extend a house in the Green Belt?
Yes, but the extension must not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building. Councils apply this test strictly, so design and justification matter more than usual.
What counts as the 'original' house?
The house as it stood on 1 July 1948, or as first built if later. Previous extensions count towards the total, which is why early advice matters on Green Belt sites.
How long does Croydon take to decide a householder application?
The statutory period is 8 weeks from validation; allow 10 to 12 weeks in practice.