20 December 2025
UK Planning Law Updates: Impact on Your London Home
National planning policy and biodiversity rules are changing, directly affecting your future extension project.
Recent planning news in England highlights two key areas for homeowners. Firstly, the government has launched a consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which guides all planning decisions across the country. This signals potential shifts in how local councils approach development. Secondly, there's been crucial clarification regarding Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regulations, specifically the introduction of exemptions for certain projects.
For London homeowners looking to extend or renovate, these updates are highly relevant. Changes to the NPPF could influence local planning policies, affecting everything from design guidelines to permitted development rights for extensions. This means the rules for what you can build and how might evolve. More positively, the new BNG exemptions are excellent news. While BNG aims to improve biodiversity by 10% on new developments, the proposed exemptions mean that many smaller-scale householder extensions will be spared these complex and potentially costly requirements. This will simplify the planning process, reducing both the administrative burden and potential expenses for your home improvement project. It's vital to stay informed, and London Extend is here to help you navigate these evolving regulations for your home.