Haringey Council planning guide: what the August 2024 list and the 2017 policies ask of your drawings

The 2017 policies your extension is read against

Haringey's Development Management DPD was adopted on 24 July 2017. The council's New Local Plan page says it is still preparing a replacement and consulted on a draft from 10 October 2025 to 19 December 2025, so the 2017 document is the one in force. Our Haringey planning permission page covers drawings for applications in the borough.

Policy DM12 (Housing Design and Quality), part E, says that extensions or alterations to residential buildings, including roof extensions, “will be required to be of a high, site specific, and sensitive design quality, and respect and/ or complement the form, setting, period, architectural characteristics, detailing of the original buildings, including external features such as chimneys, and porches”. Matching or complementary materials are expected. Part G sends applicants to the council's supplementary documents, naming the South Tottenham House Extensions SPD.

Policy DM1 adds the Haringey Development Charter. Its design tests include relating positively to neighbouring structures and, under privacy and amenity, providing “appropriate sunlight, daylight and open aspects” to adjacent buildings and land.

South Tottenham: a separate rulebook for house extensions

If the house is in South Tottenham, a second document applies. The council's page on house extensions in South Tottenham says the revised SPD was adopted on 15 October 2013. It aims to promote good design for house extensions, including adequate growing space, architectural unity and overall street character, and applies only to single family dwellings.

The council recommends a roof extension that matches the existing house to provide extra habitable space for large families, with three approved ways to extend at roof level. The area is defined on a map as bounded by Crowland Road to the north, Markfield Recreation Ground and the River Lee to the east, Craven Park Road to the south and Tottenham High Road to the west, excluding the conservation area. The council notes that planning permission is usually needed for the extensions the SPD describes. A loft conversion or dormer there is drawn to the SPD's roof types, and a planning constraints report confirms whether the address falls inside the map.

Basements and flood risk

Policy DM18 permits householder extensions to basements and new basements only where the proposal will not harm the structural stability of the building, neighbours or the adjoining highway, will not increase flood risk to the property or nearby properties, and avoids harm to the character of the area. Part B bars habitable rooms in areas prone to flooding with no reasonable means of escape. The validation list asks for a basement impact assessment by a qualified and recognised assessor, and the council's supporting text says the applicant pays for it. A basement feasibility visit comes before drawings.

For flooding, the list asks for a flood risk assessment for new development in Flood Zones 2 and 3, including minor development, and in areas with critical drainage problems. The householder page says to use Environment Agency standing advice in flood zones 2 and 3. Our flood risk assessment page covers the assessment.

Building control and party wall

Haringey's building control service publishes advice on applications, charges and the register, building regulations and inspections, and demolition notices. Our building regulations reports guide sorts the reports by project stage and the building regulations drawings page covers the set that goes to building control.

A shared wall with a neighbour brings in the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, which runs alongside planning. Our party wall services guide explains the notices.