Architects in N4
Finsbury Park, Stroud Green and Manor House. Victorian terraces, many split into flats, across three councils.
RIBA Chartered Practice · ARB-registered architects · Extensions, lofts and planning drawings
Planning authority
Which council decides in N4?
N4 is split between 3 councils, so the council that decides your application depends on your street. 871 postcodes, 5.1 miles from our studio.
By postcode sector
| Sector | Postcodes | Council |
|---|---|---|
| N4 1 | 203 | Haringey (mostly; some streets in another council) |
| N4 2 | 300 | Hackney (mostly; some streets in another council) |
| N4 3 | 211 | Islington (mostly; some streets in another council) |
| N4 4 | 134 | Haringey (mostly; some streets in another council) |
| N4 9 | 23 | Islington |
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Check your exact postcode
Type any postcode in the 33 London boroughs we cover. We'll tell you which council handles planning there and show you the local planning points.
Local planning points
If your home is in Haringey
An Article 4 direction has removed permitted development rights for small HMOs in 14 wards in the east of the borough since 30 November 2013, so converting a house to a small HMO there needs planning permission.
SourceThe council lists 28 conservation areas, including Crouch End, Highgate, Muswell Hill, Noel Park and the five areas that make up the Tottenham High Road Historic Corridor.
SourceFour Article 4 directions in conservation areas remove some permitted development rights, so some minor external works there need planning permission.
Source
Local planning points
If your home is in Hackney
A new Residential Extensions and Alterations SPD was adopted in December 2025 and came into effect in January 2026, replacing the 2009 guidance.
SourceThe consultation draft of that SPD (September 2025) proposed limiting single-storey rear extensions to 3m deep on terraced houses, 3.5m on semi-detached and 4m on detached houses, and rear dormers to at least 0.5m below the ridge and 1m above the eaves. Check the adopted version for the final wording.
SourceThe same draft said roof extensions along an unaltered roofline in a conservation area will generally not be acceptable, and that on Victorian butterfly roofs a mansard is usually the most appropriate form of roof extension.
Source
Local planning points
If your home is in Islington
Islington's current Local Plan was adopted on 28 September 2023 and has three parts: Strategic and Development Management Policies, Site Allocations, and the Bunhill and Clerkenwell Area Action Plan.
SourceThere are 42 conservation areas. Some are covered by Article 4(2) directions, so minor works such as changing doors and windows or painting brickwork may need planning permission.
SourceBasements should generally be no more than one storey deep, with no more than 3m floor-to-ceiling height, and together with other structures should occupy less than 50% of the original garden (Basement Development SPD, 2016). The SPD predates the 2023 Local Plan, so it should be read alongside the current basement policy.
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