Becontree Estate Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Design Code

The Becontree Estate was one of the most ambitious public sector led housing projects in the world at the time of its development. It was originally built as ‘Homes for Heroes’ during the period 1921 to 1934, and at the time was the largest municipal estate in the world comprising approximately 29,000 homes.  

The Estate is a Non-Designated Heritage Asset (NDHA), and is special because of its size and scale, pioneering approach to design and planning through the regularity of its built form, homogeneity of design, and the broader post war social transition that it represents.  

On 16 June 2026, the Council’s Cabinet adopted the Becontree Estate Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Design Code. This SPD has been prepared to provide detailed guidance to residents to assist them in adapting and enlarging their homes in a way that protects this important heritage. This SPD is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications within the Becontree Estate. The SPD has been prepared alongside two Article 4 Directions which will come into effect from November 2026, subject to Council approval.

We sought feedback on the draft Becontree Estate SPD between 20 November 2025 to 18 January 2026 and revised the SPD to address feedback received.

 

Article 4 Directions

Permitted development rights (PDRs) allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without needing to apply for planning permission. An Article 4 Direction can be used by Local Planning Authorities to withdraw specific permitted development rights across a defined area where there is a good reason to do so.

On 11 November 2025, LBBD’s Cabinet approved the making of two Article 4 Directions to:

  • remove permitted development rights for porches for all properties across the Becontree Estate, and
  • remove permitted development rights for side and roof alterations located on corner blocks within the Becontree Estate.

This will mean that if residents living within the Becontree Estate are seeking to make changes to a porch on their home, then they will need to apply for planning permission. Likewise, residents living on corner blocks within the Becontree Estate will need to apply for planning permission to make a side or roof alteration. Residents should use the Design Code for guidance on how these home alterations can be made. In many cases, residents will be able to make alterations and extensions that are larger than what is permissible through permitted development.

These Article 4 Directions will be introduced in November 2026 to give residents time to prepare (non-immediate Directions).

If you require any assistance to understand the material, please contact us and we can arrange for support.

 

Becontree Retrofit Guide

To support the Becontree Estate SPD, we have developed the Becontree Retrofit Guide to help homeowners and landlords in retrofitting their homes. The guide can be viewed here: Becontree Retrofit Guide

The Becontree Estate was one of the most ambitious public sector led housing projects in the world at the time of its development. It was originally built as ‘Homes for Heroes’ during the period 1921 to 1934, and at the time was the largest municipal estate in the world comprising approximately 29,000 homes.  

The Estate is a Non-Designated Heritage Asset (NDHA), and is special because of its size and scale, pioneering approach to design and planning through the regularity of its built form, homogeneity of design, and the broader post war social transition that it represents.  

On 16 June 2026, the Council’s Cabinet adopted the Becontree Estate Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and Design Code. This SPD has been prepared to provide detailed guidance to residents to assist them in adapting and enlarging their homes in a way that protects this important heritage. This SPD is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications within the Becontree Estate. The SPD has been prepared alongside two Article 4 Directions which will come into effect from November 2026, subject to Council approval.

We sought feedback on the draft Becontree Estate SPD between 20 November 2025 to 18 January 2026 and revised the SPD to address feedback received.

 

Article 4 Directions

Permitted development rights (PDRs) allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without needing to apply for planning permission. An Article 4 Direction can be used by Local Planning Authorities to withdraw specific permitted development rights across a defined area where there is a good reason to do so.

On 11 November 2025, LBBD’s Cabinet approved the making of two Article 4 Directions to:

  • remove permitted development rights for porches for all properties across the Becontree Estate, and
  • remove permitted development rights for side and roof alterations located on corner blocks within the Becontree Estate.

This will mean that if residents living within the Becontree Estate are seeking to make changes to a porch on their home, then they will need to apply for planning permission. Likewise, residents living on corner blocks within the Becontree Estate will need to apply for planning permission to make a side or roof alteration. Residents should use the Design Code for guidance on how these home alterations can be made. In many cases, residents will be able to make alterations and extensions that are larger than what is permissible through permitted development.

These Article 4 Directions will be introduced in November 2026 to give residents time to prepare (non-immediate Directions).

If you require any assistance to understand the material, please contact us and we can arrange for support.

 

Becontree Retrofit Guide

To support the Becontree Estate SPD, we have developed the Becontree Retrofit Guide to help homeowners and landlords in retrofitting their homes. The guide can be viewed here: Becontree Retrofit Guide

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