- Planning authority
- London Borough of Bexley
- Postcodes
- DA5, DA6, DA7, DA8, DA15
- Noon sun, 21 March
- About 39°
- Shadow from a 5 m eaves line
- About 6.3 m
- Planning plan
- Local Plan
- County
- Greater London
What the council will look at in Bexley
Winter light is often the deciding factor for bungalow neighbours. In Bexley, the December sun gets no higher than about 15° even at noon, so even a modest building casts a long shadow across a low neighbour’s garden and into ground-floor rooms.
Keeping the new home low, setting it back from boundaries, or placing it where its shadow falls mainly on its own land all help. The London Borough of Bexley weighs daylight alongside privacy, garden space and the look of the street, so a design that handles all four together stands the best chance.
The next steps, locally
After a free appraisal, we set out what could realistically fit on your Bexley plot: a home behind, a home beside, or a replacement scheme. You choose the route that suits you, whether that’s selling, partnering or having us build, and only then do we start on drawings and planning work. Nothing is spent on design until you’ve decided.
Free plot appraisal
We look at the plot’s width and depth, the access, the planning history nearby and the character of the street, then talk through what you want. It’s free, with no obligation, and a site visit follows if it looks viable.
Compare the options
We sketch what could realistically fit: a home behind, a home beside, or a replacement scheme. You see the trade-offs for each, including what happens to your own garden and parking, before choosing a route.
Planning application
We prepare drawings and reports designed around single-storey neighbours and the street scene, usually seek pre-application advice, and submit. The council consults neighbours and makes the decision.
Sale or build
If you sell, your solicitor handles the transfer and any lender release. If we build, you receive a written quote after design and survey, and the new home is built and handed over to you.
Worth checking early
- Replacing the bungalow means moving out during demolition and building, which suits some owners and not others.
- You’ll keep a smaller garden, and a drive alongside your bungalow brings cars past your windows.
- A two-storey home on a road of bungalows is often resisted, so designs may need to stay low.
Your questions, answered for Bexley
Can I sell part of my bungalow garden in Bexley and stay living there?
Yes. You keep the bungalow and sell the land behind or beside it, with or without planning, subject to survey, title and contract. If the bungalow is mortgaged, the lender must agree to release the plot. Take tax advice before you sell.
Can I build a second home on my bungalow plot in Bexley?
Possibly, if the plot is wide or deep enough and has a workable way in. The new home needs planning permission from the London Borough of Bexley, which will look at the street scene, neighbours’ privacy and light, garden space and parking. A free appraisal tells you what is realistic.
How much garden does a bungalow in Bexley need to keep?
There’s no single figure. Councils look for enough private garden for both the existing home and the new one, and many have guidance on minimum garden sizes. We check your council’s guidance during the appraisal.
Is it worth replacing my bungalow in Bexley with more homes?
Sometimes, where the plot is large and the bungalow is dated or poorly placed. Replacement can fit more homes than building behind, but you would need to move out during the work. We compare both approaches for your plot during the appraisal.
Other options in Bexley
- Planning promotion for your garden plot
- Sell part of your garden
- Garden plot option agreement
- Garage courts and yards
- Planning permission for a garden plot
- Build a new home in your garden