Approved planning applications · October 2026

Extending in Hackney: what the council approves

Build Team has secured approval for 55 projects in Hackney: 39 loft conversions and 16 ground floor extensions, across 7 postcode districts. The median approved floor area is 31.8 m². Generally 2.5m is a safe rule of thumb to go by for Hackney.

What Hackney council is like to work with

This is a fantastic borough and lots of the existing properties have bundles of character. It's important to design a scheme which is in keeping with the area.

Extending to the side or extending to the rear are generally accepted but wraparound extensions are harder to get approved. It's not impossible and as long as we can find precedent in the area, it shouldn't be a problem.

Boundary wall height

Generally 2.5m is a safe rule of thumb to go by for Hackney.

Design considerations

Hackney has lots of roads on hills so it's important to create a design that's mindful of neighbouring properties. Hackney Council will look at factors such as overbearing character etc.

Guidance from Build Team's design team, based on applications we have submitted in this borough. Council policy changes: check the current local plan before you rely on it.