Backland Development
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Garden plot feasibility and design in Kingston upon Thames

Not every garden in Kingston upon Thames that looks big enough will make a building plot, and not every awkward one is hopeless. What counts is how the plot is reached, what the title says, how close the neighbours’ windows are and what the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames will accept.

We test each of those in turn, then work out how many homes, of what size and height, could sit comfortably on the land. You see the evidence behind every conclusion, from measured distances to the policy wording that applies. The first appraisal is free, and anything beyond it carries a fixed written fee agreed with you in advance.

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Surveyor in a hi-vis vest taking GPS measurements in a long suburban back garden
Planning authority
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Postcodes
KT1, KT3, KT4, KT5, KT6
Noon sun, 21 March
About 39°
Shadow from a 5 m eaves line
About 6.3 m
Planning plan
Local Plan
County
Greater London

The local picture in Kingston upon Thames

A measured survey in Kingston upon Thames records the plot exactly: boundaries, levels, trees, drains, and the positions and heights of neighbouring windows. It is the base for everything else. From it we can plot the shadow a two-storey eaves line would cast, roughly 6.3 m at noon on 21 March when the sun is near 39° here, and the distances between the new home and the houses around it. The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames will expect the application drawings to be accurate to a survey like this.

Section showing noon sun and shadows in Kingston upon Thames: about 39 degrees on 21 March and 15 degrees on 21 December21 m21 Mar, noon: sun 39°, shadow 6.3 m21 Dec, noon: sun 15°, shadow 18.4 mExistingNew home
Noon sun in Kingston upon Thames on 21 March sits about 39° above the horizon, so a typical two-storey eaves line (about 5 m) throws a shadow of roughly 6.3 m. In December the sun is only about 15° up and shadows stretch much further. Drawn for a garden facing north, where it matters most.

The next steps, locally

Getting a straight answer about a garden plot in Kingston upon Thames costs nothing at the first stage. Send us a few photos and a rough idea of the plot, or call, and we’ll check it from the desk. If it’s not worth pursuing, we’ll say so and explain why. If it is, we’ll set out the next steps and their cost in writing.

  1. Free plot appraisal

    A desktop look at your plot, access, title plan and the planning picture, plus a conversation about what you want. If it looks viable we visit. There’s no cost and no obligation at this stage.

  2. Scope and written quote

    If you want to go further, we set out which surveys and checks your plot needs and what they will cost, in writing. Nothing is commissioned until you have agreed the scope and the price.

  3. Survey and constraints check

    A measured survey of the plot and its surroundings, then a check of the title, services, trees, flood risk and heritage designations, so the design starts from facts rather than guesses.

  4. Feasibility report and options

    A clear yes, no or maybe, the reasons behind it, and the routes open to you: apply for planning, build, sell or partner. You decide what happens next, with no obligation to use us for it.

Worth checking early

  • Title problems such as covenants, ransom strips or missing rights of way can take time and money to resolve.
  • Some ecology surveys can only be done at certain times of year, which can affect the programme.
  • A feasibility study can end in a no; finding that out early costs far less than a refused application.

Kingston upon Thames: questions to ask

Do I have to use you for planning after a feasibility study in Kingston upon Thames?

No. The survey, report and concept designs are yours to use as you choose. You can take the scheme forward with us, through our planning permission or design and build services, or sell or partner on the plot with us, or use another firm. We would rather you made the decision that suits you.

Is my Kingston upon Thames garden in a flood zone or conservation area?

Both are public information. Flood zones are shown on the flood maps for planning in England, and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames publishes its conservation area boundaries and the listed buildings in its area. We check these as part of the free appraisal, along with Tree Preservation Orders, because each one changes what a scheme needs to show.

Can I get pre-application advice on a garden plot in Kingston upon Thames?

Usually, yes. Most councils offer pre-application advice, and many charge a fee for it. The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames’s website sets out its current arrangements, including how to apply, what to send and how long a response usually takes. We can prepare the information and attend any meeting for you. The advice isn’t binding, but it is a useful test before a full application.

How many homes could fit in my garden in Kingston upon Thames?

That is what a capacity study answers. It tests options against separation distances from neighbours, garden space for each home, parking, bins and access, as well as the policies the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames applies. For many gardens the answer is one home; larger or combined plots can sometimes take more. We show the options on drawings so you can see why.

Other options in Kingston upon Thames

Feasibility and design near Kingston upon Thames

Find out what your garden could become

Free garden plot appraisal. No cost, no obligation, and a straight answer if it won’t work.

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