Space, Landscape and the Confidence to Design Well

Mill Hill is different. It’s not just another residential district — it’s a patch of North London where the countryside still lingers, where streets are leafy, plots are generous, and homes feel set apart.

But with those benefits come planning sensitivities: Green Belt protections, conservation boundaries, and neighbours who care what’s built next door. That’s where DOR Architects brings real value.

Whether you’re planning a contemporary new-build on The Ridgeway, replacing a tired house off Hammers Lane, or unlocking the potential of a backland site near Mill Hill Broadway, we deliver beautiful, buildable architecture — with planning intelligence baked in from the start.

“Our client in Mill Hill said they wanted their new house to feel ‘like it had always been there.’ That’s the kind of challenge we like — and exactly what Mill Hill deserves.”

Where We Work in Mill Hill

We work across NW7, including:

  • The Ridgeway, Hammers Lane & Marsh Lane: Replacement dwellings, plot maximisation and high-end one-off homes

  • Mill Hill Broadway, Goodwyn Avenue & Uphill Road: Extensions, lofts and intelligent internal reconfigurations

  • Totteridge Valley fringe: Projects near or within the Green Belt, requiring careful design justification

  • Backland & side plots: Developer-led infill housing or low-rise multi-unit schemes with access and massing constraints

Whether you’re a homeowner upgrading your forever home or a small developer looking for ROI without resistance, we can help.

See other areas we work in

Planning in Mill Hill: What to Expect

Mill Hill sits within the London Borough of Barnet — one of the most active and layered planning authorities in North London.

Key planning issues in NW7 include:

  • Green Belt protections and the Very Special Circumstances test for development

  • Replacement dwelling guidelines (volume, height, materials and siting)

  • Conservation Area controls, especially around The Ridgeway and Mill Hill Village

  • Backland and garden development resistance based on impact and density

  • Biodiversity, tree and drainage requirements for semi-rural and sloped sites

We know what’s likely to succeed in Mill Hill — and how to prepare applications that respect both policy and precedent.

Visit Barnet's Planning Portal

Why Choose DOR Architects in NW7?

Because we understand Mill Hill’s unique balance: space, beauty, and planning control.

  • Design-led architecture that sits gently in its setting

  • Experience with Green Belt, Conservation and infill site strategy

  • 3D BIM design from day one for planning clarity and client confidence

  • Practical build knowledge for sites with access, topography or drainage issues

  • Friendly, personal service for homeowners and developers alike

We create homes and schemes that feel inevitable — not imposed. That’s how we’ve earned trust across NW7.

Our Process

  1. Feasibility & Planning Review
    We assess the planning risks, constraints and potential — and advise clearly before drawing begins.

  2. Planning Application
    We submit strong, policy-aligned proposals — supported by visuals, statements and coordinated input where required.

  3. Detailed Design & Tendering
    We draw every junction and material with care — helping you price and build without surprises.

  4. On-Site Oversight
    We stay involved through the build — answering questions, protecting your design and seeing it through.

How we can help

Let’s Build Something Exceptional in Mill Hill

Whether you’re creating a one-off dream home or seeking planning for a discreet development, we can help you get it right — from first idea to final sign-off.

Start your Mill Hill project with a practice that blends architectural ambition with planning realism.

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* This page is intended for general guidance and does not constitute professional advice. Always consult a qualified architect or planner before making design or development decisions.

FAQs – Mill Hill Architecture & Planning

Possibly — but only under specific circumstances. We regularly help clients secure planning for replacement dwellings, limited extensions, or sensitive schemes that meet policy tests.

Usually yes, especially near Conservation Areas or on larger plots. Even permitted development is often limited by local policy.

You may be able to — but access, privacy, and scale are major considerations. We advise early on viability and can support successful small-site schemes.

Yes. We assist with land strategy, feasibility, planning and design for 1–20 unit schemes, replacement dwellings and small-scale luxury housing.

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