48 conservation areas including Dulwich Village. Side return £80k-120k, rear £70k-105k. Mix of Victorian terraces (Camberwell, Peckham) and Edwardian semis (Dulwich). South London pricing.
Conservation Areas: 48 areas covering ~35% of borough (extensive coverage)
Article 4 Directions: Present in several conservation areas including Dulwich
Housing Mix: Victorian terraces (Camberwell, Peckham), Edwardian semis (Dulwich), council estates (Walworth, Elephant & Castle)
Extension Costs: £1,800-2,500/m² (South London mid-range)
Planning Fee: £206 householder + £105 postal/email surcharge (total £311)
Area Variations: Dulwich most restrictive, Peckham Rye moderate, Walworth/Old Kent Road least restrictive
Southwark is London's most diverse borough for extensions - from affluent Dulwich Village with strict conservation controls to redeveloping areas like Old Kent Road with minimal restrictions. Understanding your specific area is critical.
| Area | Housing Type | Conservation Status | Extension Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dulwich (Village, Wood) | Large Edwardian houses, semis | Multiple conservation areas Article 4 directions | ⚠️ High - strict controls |
| Camberwell (Grove, Green) | Victorian terraces, some Georgian | Conservation areas present | ⚠️ Moderate-High |
| Peckham (Rye, Hill) | Victorian terraces, inter-war | Peckham Hill Street CA | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Nunhead, Honor Oak | Victorian/Edwardian mix | Limited conservation areas | ✓ Moderate-Low |
| Walworth, Old Kent Road | Council estates, modern flats | Minimal conservation coverage | ✓ Low - easiest |
According to TrustedBuilders South London data, Southwark costs £1,800-2,500/m² - standard South London pricing, with Dulwich at upper end and Peckham/Walworth at lower end.
| Extension Type | Typical Size | Dulwich (High) | Camberwell/Peckham (Mid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side return | 10-12m² | £60,000-75,000 | £52,000-65,000 |
| Side return + kitchen | 10m² ext + 20m² refurb | £100,000-130,000 | £80,000-105,000 |
| Single storey rear (3m) | 18-22m² | £70,000-90,000 | £60,000-78,000 |
| Single storey rear (6m) | 36-42m² | £90,000-115,000 | £75,000-95,000 |
| Wrap-around | 40-50m² | £120,000-150,000 | £100,000-130,000 |
| Two storey rear | 40-50m² | £140,000-180,000 | £120,000-155,000 |
Southwark has 48 conservation areas - one of the highest counts in London. According to Southwark Council conservation guidance, these areas cover approximately 35% of the borough's residential properties.
Coverage: Large Edwardian houses, generous plots, leafy streets
Restrictions: Article 4 directions present, traditional materials mandatory, pitched roofs required
Design Requirements: Arts & Crafts/Edwardian character must be respected, red brick, clay tiles, timber windows
Planning Strategy: Pre-application advice essential (£200-400), expect amendments, use heritage consultant for complex schemes
Coverage: Georgian and Victorian houses, elegant terraces
Restrictions: Conservation area controls, some Article 4 directions
Design Requirements: Match existing materials (London stock brick), proportional extensions, traditional detailing
Planning Strategy: Pre-app advised, demonstrate heritage sensitivity, rear extensions more likely approved than visible front/side
Coverage: Victorian terraces, some Edwardian villas
Restrictions: Conservation area designation but less strict than Dulwich/Camberwell
Design Requirements: Traditional materials preferred but some modern acceptable, subservient scale
Planning Strategy: Pre-app optional for standard rear extensions, required for two-storey or unusual designs
Includes: Walworth, Old Kent Road, parts of Nunhead, Honor Oak Park
Restrictions: Standard PD rights apply, no conservation constraints
Design Requirements: Modern materials acceptable, contemporary designs approved, flat roofs OK
Planning Strategy: Use PD where possible, planning applications straightforward, faster approvals
According to Southwark's PD technical guidance, standard rules apply outside conservation areas, but several areas have Article 4 directions removing specific rights.
| Property Type | Single Storey Rear (No Prior Approval) | Larger Extension (Prior Approval) |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced/semi-detached | Up to 3m depth Max 4m height overall Max 3m at boundary | Up to 6m depth £96 fee + £105 postal surcharge 6 weeks decision |
| Detached house | Up to 4m depth Max 4m height overall Max 3m at boundary | Up to 8m depth £96 fee + £105 surcharge 6 weeks decision |
According to Southwark Council guidance, permitted development rights do not apply to flats. If you live in a flat (even ground floor with private garden), any external works require planning permission.
This affects significant portions of Southwark including Elephant & Castle, Walworth, and Old Kent Road where flat conversions are common.
Several Southwark conservation areas have Article 4 directions removing PD rights for:
Check if your property has Article 4 restrictions: Southwark Article 4 Directions Map
Unique to Southwark: £105 surcharge (plus VAT) for postal and email applications on top of standard planning fees.
Total cost: £206 (householder fee) + £105 (Southwark surcharge) = £311 for most extension applications
| Application Type | National Fee | Southwark Surcharge | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Householder (full planning) | £206 | £105 | £311 |
| Prior approval (larger PD) | £96 | £105 | £201 |
| Pre-application advice | £200-400 (size dependent) | N/A | £200-400 |
Cost: £200-400
Timeline: 4 weeks
Essential for Dulwich, recommended for Camberwell/Peckham conservation areas, optional elsewhere
Required Documents:
Timeline: 1-2 weeks validation + 21 days consultation
Southwark sends letters to adjoining properties. Expect objections in Dulwich (high owner engagement).
Target: 8 weeks (56 days)
Reality: 8-10 weeks typical, 10-13 weeks for conservation area applications requiring amendments
Terraced housing in Camberwell, Peckham, and parts of Nunhead requires party wall agreements for most extensions:
| Extension Type | Party Wall Required? | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Side return (on boundary) | ✅ Yes (one side minimum) | £1,200-2,200 per side |
| Rear extension (within boundaries) | ⚠️ If foundations within 3m of boundary | £800-1,600 per side |
| Loft conversion | ✅ Yes (both neighbors) | £1,200-2,000 (both sides) |
Southwark charges £105 surcharge (plus VAT) for postal and email applications to cover additional administrative costs. This means householder applications cost £311 total (£206 national fee + £105 Southwark surcharge) compared to £206 in other boroughs. This is unique to Southwark among London boroughs. The fee applies to almost all applications submitted by post or email.
Peckham: side return £52,000-65,000, rear 3m £60,000-78,000. Dulwich: side return £60,000-75,000, rear 3m £70,000-90,000. Dulwich costs 15-20% more due to conservation area requirements (traditional materials), larger property sizes, and premium contractor rates. Both areas use £1,800-2,500/m² range but Dulwich sits at upper end.
Almost always yes for extensions. Dulwich Village and Dulwich Wood conservation areas have Article 4 directions removing many PD rights. Even standard 3m rear extensions that would be PD elsewhere require planning permission. Pre-application advice (£200-400) strongly recommended before paying for full drawings. Traditional materials mandatory: red brick, clay tiles, timber windows.
Walworth, Old Kent Road, parts of Nunhead, and Honor Oak Park. These areas have minimal conservation coverage, full PD rights apply, modern materials accepted, and planning applications straightforward. However, note that flats (common in these areas) have no PD rights - if you live in a flat, you need planning permission regardless of location.
Yes if: (1) Dulwich or Camberwell conservation areas (essential), (2) any conservation area with Article 4 directions, (3) two-storey or unusual extension. Cost: £200-400. No if: outside conservation areas + standard single-storey rear extension within PD limits. Peckham conservation areas: optional but recommended for complex schemes.
Target: 8 weeks (56 days). Reality: 8-10 weeks for straightforward cases outside conservation areas. Dulwich/Camberwell conservation areas: 10-13 weeks typical due to higher scrutiny and frequent request for amendments. Add 4 weeks for pre-app advice. Southwark not notably slower than other London boroughs despite high conservation coverage.
Borough Diversity: Southwark has London's widest range - from highly restrictive Dulwich (Article 4 conservation areas) to permissive Walworth/Old Kent Road (minimal restrictions). Know your area before planning.
Conservation Coverage: 48 areas (highest count in London) covering 35% of residential properties. Article 4 directions in several areas including Dulwich. Check map before assuming PD applies.
Cost Range: £1,800-2,500/m² = South London standard. Dulwich 15-20% premium (£80k-130k for side return + kitchen). Peckham/Camberwell mid-range (£80k-105k). Walworth lower end due to minimal conservation requirements.
Planning Fees: Unique £105 surcharge means £311 total for householder applications (highest in London). Factor this into budget.
Bottom Line: Location is everything in Southwark. Dulwich requires heritage sensitivity, traditional materials, pre-app advice. Peckham/Camberwell moderate. Walworth/Old Kent Road straightforward. 65% of borough outside conservation areas has good extension opportunities. Check conservation status and Article 4 directions before starting any project.
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