Politics
Croydon Housing Approvals Face New National Rules from April 2027
Croydon residents seeking planning permission for home extensions or small developments will see decisions processed under new national rules from April 2027.
How we reported this
The Planning Reform Bill, introduced in Parliament in May 2026, requires local authorities including Croydon Council to apply standardised digital assessment tools for minor planning applications. The legislation states that decisions on proposals under 100 square metres must be issued within eight weeks once the new system is active.
The changes arrive as Croydon faces pressure on housing supply, with the council recording 2,147 planning applications in the 2025-26 financial year. National policy documents tie the bill to targets for 1.5 million new homes by 2030, and Croydon forms part of the London-wide allocation.
Daily Effects for Residents
Households in areas such as South Norwood and Thornton Heath will notice the shift when submitting applications for loft conversions or garage extensions. The bill requires all submissions through a central portal, which the government says will cut paperwork by replacing separate forms from Croydon Council and the Greater London Authority.
Policy analysts note that current average processing times in Croydon stand at 11 weeks for similar cases. The legislation projects the eight-week limit will apply from the start of the 2027-28 financial year, affecting an estimated 1,800 applications annually in the borough.
Local advocates note that families planning to expand homes to accommodate multigenerational living may face adjusted fee structures, with the bill capping charges at £450 for digital submissions processed under the new rules.
Implementation Steps
Croydon Council must complete staff training and portal integration by March 2027, according to the bill's implementation schedule. The government has allocated £4.2 million nationally for local authority IT upgrades, with Croydon expected to receive a share based on application volume.
Further guidance on enforcement and appeal routes is scheduled for publication in December 2026, after which residents can track individual cases through the central system.