PLANNING CONSULTANTS · NEWHAM
Planning consultants in Newham
We prepare and coordinate the planning case and specialist reports for sites in Newham covering Forest Gate, Stratford, East Ham, Manor Park, Plaistow and Canning Town. This page sets out what London Borough of Newham asks for when you apply, with links to the council's own documents.
THE COUNCIL'S DOCUMENTS
What Newham
judges you against.
Validation list. Planning Application Requirements (PAR): What to submit with your planning application (December 2024). An application missing a required document can be made invalid, which delays the decision.
Development plan. Newham Local Plan 2018 (adopted, 2018); Newham Local Plan (Draft Submission, Regulation 19, June 2024; submitted 18 July 2025; Inspector's report finds it sound subject to main modifications) (emerging, 2025); London Plan 2021 (adopted, 2021).
National policy. The National Planning Policy Framework and, for every London council, the London Plan 2021 sit alongside the local plan.
LOCAL PLANNING POINTS
Things that shape applications in Newham.
Checked against the council's published policy and guidance. Each point links to its source.
- Newham's householder guidance sets no fixed rear extension depth; extensions must keep reasonable sunlight and daylight to neighbours' rooms and gardens, and roof alterations should keep street-facing roof slopes, ridge lines and chimneys (Altering and Extending your Home SPD, 2018). Source
- An Article 4 direction has required planning permission to convert a house to a small HMO since 31 July 2013, across the whole borough except the London Legacy Development Corporation area. Source
- Newham has nine conservation areas, including Woodgrange Estate, Romford Road, Durham Road and East Ham. Source
- Article 4 directions in the Durham Road, Romford Road and Woodgrange conservation areas mean planning permission is needed for works such as replacement windows and doors, extensions and dormer windows. Source
- Selective licensing covers 22 of the borough's 24 wards from 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2028; Royal Victoria and Stratford Olympic Park are excluded. Source
- The inspector's report on the new Newham Local Plan, received on 18 August 2026, found it sound subject to main modifications; it is awaiting adoption by Full Council. Source
- Article 4 direction: Houses in multiple occupation. Changing a family house (C3) into a small house in multiple occupation (C4) needs planning permission, across the whole borough except land that was under the London Legacy Development Corporation. Source
- 3 further Article 4 directions apply to particular areas or conservation areas. Council list
REPORTS NEWHAM ASKS FOR
Newham's validation list, report by report.
Which of these your application needs depends on the project and the site. In Newham, extra reports are triggered most often by a conservation area, tall buildings, a listed building, near a listed building, archaeological priority areas, protected species. Enter the address in our application checker to see the list for your site.
| Report | Level | When it is needed | Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity Net Gain statement, metric and Biodiversity Plan | Required | All full, outline and s73 applications must either evidence a BNG exemption or provide the statutory or small sites metric and a biodiversity plan; householder applications are exempt nationally.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use, commercial, basements | Newham Local Plan SC4; London Plan Chapter 8 |
| Design & Access Statement | Required | Required for all major development except material changes of use, waste, engineering or mining schemes.Applies to: major schemes | Newham Local Plan SP1-SP9; London Plan D1-D14 |
| Biodiversity Statement | Required | Required for all new housing, non-residential schemes over 500 sq m GIA and all major development.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, commercial | Newham Local Plan SP2, SP3, SP5, SC4, INF6, INF7; London Plan Chapter 8 |
| Fire Statement | Required | Required for all major development, and under Planning Gateway One for buildings of 18 m+ or 7+ storeys with two or more dwellings; must be by a qualified third-party assessor.Applies to: major schemes | Newham Local Plan SP1, SP4; London Plan D5, D12 |
| Planning Statement | Required | Needed for all full, outline, reserved matters and change of use applications; for minor schemes it can be folded into the Design and Access Statement.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use, commercial, basements | Newham Local Plan and London Plan policies as appropriate; NPPF paras 43, 44, 47 |
| Sustainability Statement | Required | Required for major residential schemes and non-residential schemes of 500 sq m or more.Applies to: major schemes, commercial | Newham Local Plan SC1-SC5; London Plan Chapter 9 |
| Pollution Management Statement: Air Quality | Where relevant | The PAR lists air quality information for all development, scaled to the scheme; larger or AQMA schemes need a full assessment.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use, commercial | Newham Local Plan SP2, SP8, SP9, SC5; London Plan SI1 |
| Tree survey / Arboricultural Method Statement | Where relevant | Required where proposals affect mature trees or trees with a Tree Preservation Order, prepared to BS5837.Applies to: all applications | Newham Local Plan SP5, SC4 |
| Construction Logistics Plan | Where relevant | Expected alongside the transport submission where construction is significant, mainly for major schemes.Applies to: major schemes | London Plan Chapter 10 |
| Pollution Management Statement: Land Contamination | Where relevant | Required where past land use suggests the site may be contaminated.Applies to: all applications | Newham Local Plan SP9, SC5; NPPF paras 189-194 |
| Daylight/Sunlight Assessment | Where relevant | Required for all new residential development of one unit or more, and for works that could reduce light to neighbouring homes, gardens, amenity spaces or waterways (BRE BR209 method).Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use, house extensions, commercial | Newham Local Plan SP3, SP8, H1; London Plan D3, D6 |
| Design & Access Statement (designated areas) | Where relevant | In a designated area (such as a conservation area) a DAS is needed where the scheme creates one or more dwellings or 100 sq m or more of non-residential floorspace.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, commercial, changes of use | Newham Local Plan SP1-SP9; London Plan D1-D14 |
| Bat and Nesting Birds Survey | Where relevant | Requested where development involves demolition of, or significant alterations to, existing buildings.Applies to: all applications | Newham Local Plan SC4 (Biodiversity section) |
| Energy Assessment | Where relevant | Required for development meeting the thresholds in Local Plan policies SC1 and SC2.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, commercial | Newham Local Plan SC1, SC2, INF4; London Plan SI2, SI3 |
| Epping Forest SAC SAMMS / HRA information | Where relevant | Net new homes, HMOs, student and other communal housing within 6.2 km of Epping Forest SAC need HRA information, a SAMMS form and a mitigation payment.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use | Newham Local Plan SC4, INF6; London Plan G6 |
| Viability Appraisal | Where relevant | Needed where affordable or family housing falls below policy levels, or where non-residential schemes of 500 sq m+ do not meet BREEAM policy.Applies to: major schemes, commercial | Newham Local Plan H1, H2, SC1; London Plan H4-H7 |
| Flood Risk Assessment | Where relevant | Required in Flood Zones 2/3 (except householder and non-residential extensions under 250 sq m), on sites over 1 ha, in Critical Drainage Areas, or for changes to a more vulnerable use; majors in FZ2/3 also need a Sequential Test.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use, commercial, basements | Newham Local Plan SC3, SP9; London Plan SI12, SI13 |
| Heritage/Character/Place-making Asset Statement | Where relevant | Needed for listed building consent, works affecting listed or locally listed assets, development in or next to a conservation area, and ground disturbance in an Archaeological Priority Area (or significant ground disturbance on major schemes).Applies to: all applications | Newham Local Plan SP5; London Plan D3, D8, Chapter 7 |
| Lighting Assessment | Where relevant | Required where a proposal includes or needs external lighting, including changes to open space.Applies to: all applications | Newham Local Plan SP3, SP5, SP8; London Plan D3, D6, D8, D9 |
| Pollution Management Statement: Noise | Where relevant | Required where commercial or industrial plant sits near noise-sensitive uses, or where noise-sensitive development is proposed near existing noise sources.Applies to: all applications | Newham Local Plan SP2, SP3, SP8; London Plan D13, D14 |
| Parking & Service Details | Where relevant | All full and change of use applications must cover parking and servicing unless the works do not affect them; small schemes can include it in the DAS.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use, commercial | Newham Local Plan INF1, INF2; London Plan Chapter 10 |
| Surface Water Drainage Strategy (with LLFA pro-forma) | Where relevant | Required for all majors, for any application that needs an FRA, and for any development within a Critical Drainage Area.Applies to: all applications | Newham Local Plan SC3, SP9; London Plan SI12, SI13 |
| Tall Buildings Study | Where relevant | Required for tall buildings, which Newham defines as over 6 storeys or more than 17.05 m above ground level.Applies to: major schemes, 2 to 9 homes, commercial | Newham Local Plan SP4, S1, SP3, SP5, SP8, SC1; London Plan D9 |
| Transport Assessment / Transport Statement | Where relevant | Needed for schemes with transport implications; a full Transport Assessment applies above thresholds such as 30+ homes, 50+ hotel beds, 1,000 sq m retail or 2,500 sq m offices/industry.Applies to: 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use, commercial | Newham Local Plan SP1-SP3, SP6-SP8, INF1, INF2; London Plan Chapter 10 |
| Travel Plan | Where relevant | Required for all majors, for schemes in or next to a Sustainable Transport Opportunity Area, for F1 and E(e)/E(f) uses, and for minor schemes with significant transport effects.Applies to: major schemes, commercial, 2 to 9 homes, changes of use | Newham Local Plan INF2; London Plan T4 |
OUR SERVICES IN NEWHAM
Every report, one coordinated team.
All 54 services are available for sites in Newham. Prices are starting estimates; we confirm the fee in writing before appointment.
Planning & strategy
Heritage & townscape
Water & ground
Environment & amenity
Ecology & landscape
Energy & sustainability
Transport & viability
Structure, basements & ground
- Structural feasibility notes
- Structural planning statements
- Basement impact assessments
- Basement construction method statements
- Ground movement assessments
- Groundwater & hydrology screening
- Geotechnical desk studies
- Ground investigation reports
- Slope stability assessments
- Retaining wall assessments
- Demolition & construction method statements
- Construction management plans
- Structural reuse & retrofit appraisals
- Structural condition discharge statements
OUR WORK IN NEWHAM
Applications we have supported here.
Neighbouring councils
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Planning in Newham: FAQs
Still have a question?
Tell us about the site and we will confirm what Newham will need and what it should cost.
Make an enquiryWhich reports does Newham require for a house extension?
Newham's list adds reports mainly when the site has constraints, such as a conservation area, tall buildings, a listed building, near a listed building, archaeological priority areas, protected species. Drawings and the forms are always needed. Our application checker lists the reports for your address.
How up to date is Newham's validation list?
The list we use is "Planning Application Requirements (PAR): What to submit with your planning application", dated December 2024. Councils revise their lists, so we confirm the current version before you commission reports.
Do you cover every part of Newham?
Yes. We work across the whole of Newham, including the postcode districts E6, E7, E12, E13, E15, E16, E20 and areas such as Forest Gate, Stratford, East Ham, Manor Park, Plaistow and Canning Town.
Where are you based?
Our office is at Unit D New Wave House, 4 Humber Road, London NW2 6DW, and we work on sites across all 32 London boroughs, the City of London and OPDC.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Planning an application in Newham?
Tell us about the site and what you want to build. We will tell you which reports Newham is likely to need and what they should cost.
Call 020 8004 4464 or email info@greencodeconsultants.com.