Basement conversion drawings in Highbury, N5
A basement or cellar conversion in Highbury is decided by Islington, and the drawings carry the application. DrawingsDirect, MCIAT chartered architectural technologists, draws the plans, elevations and sections for N5 basement conversions, with drawings for an existing cellar from £1,995, and flags party wall issues early.
Fixed fee from £1,795 drawings + £200 survey (£1,995 total) · all prices
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Drawings an Islington basement application needs
A basement scheme is judged below ground as much as above it: the existing and proposed lower-ground floor plans, a section showing depth and ceiling height against the street and neighbours, and the elevations where a lightwell or new window changes the front or rear.
We draw these as one consistent set. For the planning questions before you commission, read planning permission for a basement conversion in London and basement conversion planning permission. Our basement conversion drawings page describes the set.
How Islington decides householder applications
Our analysis of MHCLG planning application statistics, table PS2 (released 24 Sep 2026, quarters to 2026 Q2) shows Islington decided 337 householder applications, including prior approvals, over the four quarters from 2025 Q3 to 2026 Q2, and granted 93% of them.
Householder applications cover every type of home project, so the figure is a measure of the borough rather than of basements. Our Islington planning permission page covers the local process.
Our analysis of the Planning Inspectorate Casework Database (released 1 Oct 2026, Casework Database 2609) finds that 25% of Islington's householder appeals were allowed, for decisions 2021 to 2026.
Appeals and conservation areas in and around Highbury
Our analysis of the Planning Inspectorate Casework Database (released 1 Oct 2026, Casework Database 2609) finds that 25% of Islington's householder appeals were allowed, for decisions 2021 to 2026. Most householder refusals taken to appeal were upheld, which is why the first submission matters.
Our analysis of the MHCLG Planning Data Platform (bulk snapshot retrieved 14 Aug 2026) finds 41 Islington conservation-area entries on the national register. Before you design, look up your Highbury street on Islington's own conservation area map.
Party wall rules for a basement in N5
Digging down beside a neighbouring house can bring in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Under section 6(1), excavating within three metres, measured horizontally, of an adjoining owner's building below its foundations needs notice. Under section 6(2), the same applies within six metres where the excavation meets a 45-degree plane drawn down from those foundations. Under section 6(5) the notice must be served at least one month before you begin to excavate.
Our guide to party wall agreements in London sets out the process, and our party wall notices and drawings service prepares the drawings that go with a notice. Read the section on legislation.gov.uk.
Costs: the application and our drawings
From 1 April 2026 the statutory fee for a householder application for alterations or extensions to a single dwellinghouse is £548 (SI 2012/2920, Schedule 1, Part 2, category 6(1)), paid to the council.
Our fixed fee for basement conversion drawings of an existing cellar starts from £1,995, and the pricing page lists the rest. Digging a new basement is a different scope, so send us the address and we will confirm the fee. If Islington requests amendments, we redraw at no cost to you. The cost of the build is covered in our basement conversion cost guide, and structural design in structural drawings.
Sources
Every figure on this page, where it comes from and a link to the original.
| Figure | Source | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 337 | Our analysis of MHCLG planning application statistics, table PS2 (district open data table) (released 24 Sep 2026, quarters to 2026 Q2) | www.gov.uk |
| 93% | Our analysis of MHCLG planning application statistics, table PS2 (district open data table) (released 24 Sep 2026, quarters to 2026 Q2) | www.gov.uk |
| 25% | Our analysis of Planning Inspectorate Casework Database (released 1 Oct 2026 (Casework Database 2609)) | www.gov.uk |
| 41 | Our analysis of MHCLG Planning Data Platform conservation-area and article-4-direction datasets (bulk snapshot retrieved 14 Aug 2026) | www.planning.data.gov.uk |
| three metres | Party Wall etc. Act 1996 s6(1): excavating within three metres measured horizontally of an adjoining owner's building or structure below its foundations (source wording: three metres) | www.legislation.gov.uk |
| six metres | Party Wall etc. Act 1996 s6(2): excavating within six metres measured horizontally of an adjoining owner's building where it meets a 45-degree plane drawn down from its foundations (source wording: six metres) | www.legislation.gov.uk |
| one month | Party Wall etc. Act 1996 s6(5): notice of the proposed excavation served at least one month before beginning to excavate (source wording: one month) | www.legislation.gov.uk |
| £548 | Statutory fee from 1 April 2026, SI 2012/2920 Sch 1 Pt 2 category 6(1): householder application for alterations or extensions to a single dwellinghouse | assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |
| £1,995 | DrawingsDirect starting fixed fee for basement conversion drawings (existing cellar), from the published price list | drawingsdirect.co.uk |
Questions people ask
Do I need planning permission for a basement conversion in Highbury?
When must I serve a party wall notice for a basement?
What does a basement conversion drawing set cost in N5?
Does Islington grant most householder applications?
Photographs: David Hawgood (CC BY-SA 2.0); Peikko (Public Domain); W.carter (CC0).
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