The Horizon Journal
Better decisions.
Better places to live and invest.
Practical guidance for London homeowners and property investors. Explore planning, design, construction and the questions to ask before you commit.
Planning & heritage
10 articles
Planning & heritage
Building a house in a conservation area: where to start
A practical route through conservation-area design, local character, demolition, trees and the evidence for a new home in London.
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Changing a listed home: consent, layouts and materials
Understand why internal alterations, repairs and extensions to a listed home need a different starting point from an ordinary refurbishment.
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Article 4 directions: what they mean for your home
How to check whether an Article 4 direction affects your London property and which proposed changes need closer investigation.
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Do you need a lawful development certificate?
When a lawful development certificate can help, what evidence it needs and how it differs from planning permission.
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What drawings do you need for a planning application?
A homeowner’s checklist for existing plans, proposed elevations, sections and supporting information before submitting to a London council.
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How long does planning permission take in London?
Separate design time, validation, the council’s decision period and post-permission work when planning your project programme.
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Planning approved: which conditions must you deal with?
How to turn a planning decision notice into a practical action list before ordering materials or starting construction.
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Can a neighbour stop your extension?
Understand planning objections, design concerns and the separate boundary and Party Wall issues that can affect a London extension.
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Planning refused: appeal or redesign?
Planning refused in London? Compare redesign and appeal, check 2026 deadlines and understand the evidence needed before choosing your next step.
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Permitted development rights: the 2026 guide
A practical 2026 guide to permitted development in London: extensions, lofts, restrictions, prior approval and lawful development certificates.
Read the articleExtensions & home design
6 articles
Extensions & home design
Can your loft become a usable room?
Check stairs, usable headroom, structure and fire safety before committing to a London loft conversion.
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Side-return extensions: gain space without losing daylight
A design checklist for London terraces: daylight, circulation, roof design and a kitchen layout that works.
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More glass or more comfort? Designing a bright extension
Balance daylight, solar gain, privacy and ventilation when choosing rooflights and glazing for an extension.
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Renovating a leasehold flat: permissions before the layout
Check your lease, freeholder consent and technical constraints before changing a London flat.
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Are solar panels worth installing on your home?
Assess roof suitability, electricity use, export tariffs and installation costs before deciding on solar panels.
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Rear extensions: fees, planning and process
Plan a London rear extension with a clear guide to architect fees, design stages, planning timescales, technical drawings and construction preparation.
Read the articlePreparing to build
4 articles
Preparing to build
Planning permission and Building Regulations: what is the difference?
Understand the two approval routes and why a planning drawing package is not automatically a complete construction package.
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Party Wall questions before an extension or loft conversion
Identify shared-wall and excavation questions early so they can be coordinated with design, approvals and the building programme.
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How to compare builders’ quotes fairly
Compare scope, exclusions, allowances and programme—not just the headline price—before appointing a builder.
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Planning an extension near a sewer or drain
Identify drainage constraints and possible water-company approvals before fixing your extension design.
Read the articleCosts & investment
7 articles
Costs & investment
How to set an extension budget before you design
Build a complete project budget covering construction, fees, approvals, tax, temporary costs and contingency.
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How architecture can improve a property investment
Use feasibility, layout options and a complete cost appraisal to test how design could improve a property investment.
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New build or renovation: what changes for tax?
Understand the tax questions to raise before choosing between a new home, extension, conversion or investment refurbishment.
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Is remortgaging to extend your home worth it?
Compare the total borrowing cost, project budget and value of staying before financing an extension through your mortgage.
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Is self-build a good investment?
Compare the full cost, funding demands and risks of self-build with buying an existing home.
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Property investment: how much capital, and rent or sell?
Build a realistic starting-capital plan and compare buy-to-let with buying, renovating and selling.
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Architect fees in London: what is included?
Understand London architect fees in 2026, compare drawing packages and full services, and use Horizon’s published fee table and construction cost calculator.
Read the articleProperty development
3 articles
Property development
Planning an HMO in London: feasibility before purchase
Check HMO planning, licensing, layout and operating costs before buying or converting a London property.
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How to start a hotel development in London
Test location, operator requirements, planning, fire strategy and the full development budget before designing a hotel.
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Which building plot should you buy? A feasibility checklist
Check planning, access, ground conditions, services and total development cost before buying a building plot.
Read the articleHave a property or plot in mind?
Contact us early to explore feasibility, compare design options and understand what to investigate before you commit.
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