Use this guide to compare planning context, authority-wide decision data, conservation controls and architectural services across West London councils. Each council page links to relevant neighbourhood guides and to the other authorities so that clients can navigate by council or by local area.
Article reviewed 1 August 2026
Indicative feesPlanning guides for all 32 London boroughs
The website now includes a dedicated guide for every Greater London borough, with official decision data, conservation guidance and current fee information.
View all London boroughsClear starting prices
Get a free quoteInitial consultationFree
Measured surveyStarting from £395
Planning drawingsStarting from £1,400
Planning application submission£100
Building Regulations packageFrom £1,295
Rear extension packagePlanning and Building Regulation drawings from £1,750
Loft conversion packagePlanning and Building Regulation drawings from £1,950
Commercial planningQuote on request
Fees are starting prices and depend on property size, complexity, location and scope. Statutory application charges, Planning Portal charges, Building Control fees, specialist consultants and VAT where applicable are additional.
The councils covered by this West London guide
The West London Alliance identifies seven member boroughs: Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow. For practical planning coverage, Horizon Architecture also includes Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster and Richmond upon Thames because they contain adjoining central-west and riverside districts where property owners frequently require planning, conservation and technical services.
Barnet
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Brent
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Ealing
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Hammersmith & Fulham
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Harrow
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Hillingdon
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Hounslow
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Kensington & Chelsea
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Richmond upon Thames
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Westminster
Planning data, conservation guidance, fees and application management.
View council guide →Latest authority-wide planning decisions
The table uses the latest annual MHCLG local-authority returns. The figures include several planning application routes and should not be read as a prediction for a particular house, street or commercial site.
| Council | Applications received | Granted | Refused | Refusal rate |
|---|
| Barnet | 2,596 | 1,916 | 625 | 24.6% |
| Brent | 2,122 | 1,532 | 431 | 22.0% |
| Ealing | 2,025 | 1,667 | 306 | 15.5% |
| Hammersmith & Fulham | 1,426 | 1,261 | 60 | 4.5% |
| Harrow | 1,380 | 1,032 | 298 | 22.4% |
| Hillingdon | 1,763 | 1,425 | 255 | 15.2% |
| Hounslow | 1,395 | 851 | 340 | 28.5% |
| Kensington & Chelsea | 2,435 | 1,819 | 141 | 7.2% |
| Richmond upon Thames | 1,950 | 1,530 | 358 | 19.0% |
| Westminster | 5,458 | 3,954 | 648 | 14.1% |
Why council-level guidance matters
National planning law and the London Plan apply across the capital, but each council has its own Local Plan, validation requirements, supplementary guidance, conservation appraisals, Article 4 Directions and planning history. The same extension type can therefore require a different design response in neighbouring boroughs.
How Horizon manages the process
- Initial address, history and designation checks.
- Measured survey and existing drawings.
- Planning strategy and design options.
- Supporting statements and specialist coordination.
- Submission and validation monitoring.
- Ongoing checks during determination.
- Quick responses to reasonable information requests and focused amendments.
- Building Regulations and construction-stage coordination after approval.
Planning fees across West London
The main statutory planning fees are nationally set. From 1 April 2026, a typical householder application for alteration or extension of one house costs £548. Planning Portal service charges, council pre-application charges, Building Control, specialist reports and professional fees are separate. Horizon’s application submission service is £100, and planning drawings start from £1,400.
Frequently asked questions
Which councils are included as West London?
The West London Alliance comprises Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow. This guide also includes Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster and Richmond upon Thames because they cover adjoining central-west and riverside areas served by Horizon Architecture.
Do planning application fees differ by council?
The principal statutory fees are nationally set. Council pre-application charges, Building Control charges and specialist local services can differ.
Are the figures neighbourhood-level statistics?
No. They are the latest comparable local-planning-authority totals. Neighbourhoods are not standard MHCLG planning-statistics units.
Can Horizon manage an application with the council after submission?
Yes. We monitor validation and determination, respond to reasonable requests and coordinate focused amendments where proportionate.
Can you coordinate specialist consultants?
Yes, subject to scope. This can include structural, heritage, acoustic, arboricultural, drainage, flood, transport, daylight, fire and building-services advice.
Find the correct council and planning route
Send us the property address and a short description. We will identify the relevant planning authority, likely constraints, required drawings and a suitable fee proposal.
Get a free quoteRelated London planning guides
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