The City of London is the historic financial district, known for St Paul’s Cathedral, listed buildings, and commercial hubs. Planning focuses on dense urban development, heritage, and tall buildings.
In the last year City of London decided 448 applications which is well below the national average of 988. The approval rate was 96% (marginally above the national average of 88%) and 16% of applications were decided on time, (significantly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how City of London performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
The City of London contains a highly concentrated and complex historic environment, with numerous Conservation Areas and a significant number of listed buildings embedded within a dense commercial context. Development proposals are subject to rigorous assessment in relation to townscape, strategic views, and the setting of key heritage assets such as St Paul's Cathedral.
City of London LPA places substantial weight on heritage considerations alongside growth, with Planning Permission typically requiring a carefully balanced, design-led approach that responds to both historic significance and the city’s evolving skyline.
One of the top reasons heritage building applications are refused is causing harm to historic significance, a risk that can arise when proposals are not prepared by a consultant with heritage expertise. We help minimise this risk with expert, site-specific guidance; contact us here.
Alongside acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We advise on and prepare planning applications across a range of development types, including:
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
The City of London is the historic financial district, known for St Paul’s Cathedral, listed buildings, and commercial hubs. Planning focuses on dense urban development, heritage, and tall buildings.
In the last year City of London decided 448 applications which is well below the national average of 988. The approval rate was 96% (marginally above the national average of 88%) and 16% of applications were decided on time, (significantly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how City of London performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
The City of London contains a highly concentrated and complex historic environment, with numerous Conservation Areas and a significant number of listed buildings embedded within a dense commercial context. Development proposals are subject to rigorous assessment in relation to townscape, strategic views, and the setting of key heritage assets such as St Paul's Cathedral.
City of London LPA places substantial weight on heritage considerations alongside growth, with Planning Permission typically requiring a carefully balanced, design-led approach that responds to both historic significance and the city’s evolving skyline.
One of the top reasons heritage building applications are refused is causing harm to historic significance, a risk that can arise when proposals are not prepared by a consultant with heritage expertise. We help minimise this risk with expert, site-specific guidance; contact us here.
Alongside acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We advise on and prepare planning applications across a range of development types, including:
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
