Making a planning application

Planning Duty Officer telephone service

Thank you for contacting the RBKC Planning department.

You can search, view and comment on applications using the Planning Applications Search on the council's website. The service is updated regularly, and key milestones and target dates are shown under "Proposal Details".

If you have submitted an application that is still within its statutory determination period, or an agreed extension of time, a progress update may not yet be available. If you need to speak to the planning officer dealing with your application, you can email them directly. Their contact details can be found in:

  • your planning application acknowledgement letter
  • any emails or letters about your application

For more information about planning applications, planning guidance, planning enforcement and other planning services, visit planning and building control.

Planning advice for your business or property is also available through our pre-application advice.

Last updated: 22 September 2026

Overview and process

This step-by-step guide will help you find out if you need planning permission for changes to your home or property, such as home improvements or extensions. It will also take you through the application process.

If you are an applicant, it will take you through the process for applying for planning permission.

You probably need planning permission if you want to:

  • build something new
  • make a major change to your building such as building an extension
  • change the use of your building or land
  • merge houses or flats in a way which reduces the overall number of homes

What to expect

  1. You need to check if you need permission

    Not all developments need planning permission. Visit the Planning Portal to find out whether you need to apply.

    More information

  2. You need to check the planning policies and constraints in your area

    To get planning permission, check your plans and designs follow our planning policies.

    More information

  3. We can provide planning advice to you

    We recommend that you get advice from us about your proposals because this can help you understand our policies, identify potential problems early on and find solutions and avoid costly mistakes.

    More information

  4. You submit an application and pay

    You submit your planning application online on the Planning Portal

    More information

  5. We assign a planning officer to assess your application

    Your case officer is there to help answer any questions you may have and keep you informed of any decisions we make.

    More information

  6. We will consult others on your application
  7. The application is assessed and determined

Last updated: 29 October 2025