Enfield architects | Residential architect projects

At GOAStudio London residential architecture we have extensive experience with working with Enfield planning department and we are familiar with all the relevant planning policies that might apply for your home project.

Please see below links to some of our Enfield residential architect projects for ideas and inspiration.

Your brief requirements, the setting of the property, and the immediate context of the property are some of the factors that will determine what home alterations the Enfield planners will be prepared to allow. We will advise you about what is reasonable to expect to get approval, what might be tricky but possible, and what most likely the planners will say no to.

According to the Enfield Local Plan (June 2021) these are some of the key considerations that will determine the outcome of your planning application.

Below we have copied and highlighted extracts of the most relevant current policy and advice for your home project.

EXAMPLES OF SOME OF OUR ENFIELD RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECT PROJECTS – PLEASE CLICK THE LINKS BELOW FOR IDEAS AND INSPIRATION.

Summary planning and design guide | Enfield residential architect advice

1. REAR EXTENSIONS

a. Proposed extensions will only be permitted where:
i. there is no impact on the amenities of the original building and its neighbouring properties;
ii. adequate amenity space and the maintenance of satisfactory access to existing garages or garage/parking space is retained; and
iii. there is no adverse visual impact.

b. Single storey extensions must:
i. not exceed 3 metres in depth beyond the original rear wall in the case of terraced and semidetached properties, or 4 metres for detached dwellings.
ii. in the case of a flat roof, the single storey extension should not exceed a height of 3 metres from ground level when measured to the eaves with an allowance of between 3.3-3.5 metres to the top of a parapet wall.
iii. for pitched roofs the extension should not exceed 4 metres in height when measured from the ridge and 3 metres at the eaves.

c. Extensions above ground floor must:
i. not exceed a line taken at 45-degrees from the edge of the nearest original first floor window to any of the adjacent properties;
ii. where appropriate, secure a common alignment of rear extensions; and
iii. not be highly visible from the public realm if this adversely impacts on the character of the area.

2. SIDE EXTENSIONS

a. Extensions to the side of existing residential properties will only be permitted where:
i. they do not result in the creation of a continuous façade of properties or ‘terracing effect’ which is out of character with the locality. A minimum distance of 1 metre from the boundary with adjoining property should be maintained. A greater distance may be required depending on the size and nature of the residential plots, and to prevent adverse impacts on the streetscene and residential amenity;
ii. they maintain an acceptable distance from the back edge of the pavement on the return frontage to the flank wall. This will be assessed having regard to the following:

• the need to maintain a direct relationship with the established building line and vista to the properties adjoining at the rear;
• the character of the local area;
• the bulk/dominance of the structure along the street frontage and it subordination in relation to the original dwelling;
• the need for adequate visibility splays; and
• the need to retain an adequate amount of amenity space.

3. ROOF EXTENSIONS

a. Roof extensions to residential properties will only be permitted where they are:
i. of an appropriate size and location within the roof plane and, in the case of roof dormers, being visually subordinate, inset from the eaves, ridge and edges of the roof as well as any existing features such as valley gutters and chimneys (insets should normally be between 500-750mm)
ii. in keeping with the character and materiality of the property, and not dominant when viewed from the surrounding area;
iii. limiting rooflights to less prominent roofslopes with their placement, size and number being considered so as to relate to the style, proportions and arrangement of the lower elevation and the prevailing roofscape of the locality.

b. Roof extensions to the side of a property must not disrupt the character or balance of the property or a pair or group of properties of which the dwelling forms a part.

c. Roof dormers on front facing roofs will generally only be permitted if they do not materially affect the character of the area and are not dominant or intrusive when viewed from the surrounding area.

d. Placement of rainwater goods, soil pipes and other services/vents should not be to the aesthetic detriment of the property or roofscape.

e. Proposals for flat roof dormers within a conservation area, or setting of a listed building, will be refused.

4. OUTBUILDINGS

a. Outbuildings to residential properties will only be permitted where:
i. the building must be ancillary to the use as a residential dwelling;
ii. the design should have regard to topography;
iii. it should not normally project forward of the front building line; and
iv. it should maintain an adequate distance from the dwelling and be of an appropriate height and bulk so as not to adversely impact on the character of the local area and amenities of neighbouring properties.

b. The size, scale and siting of the development must not have an unacceptable impact on the adjoining properties in line with other policies in this plan.

EXPLANATION

Extensions to residential properties can be an efficient and, in difficult housing markets, more affordable and practical way of adapting to household changes. However, extensions may disrupt the established pattern and form of development and therefore may have impacts on residential amenity. There should be no chamfering of edges to avoid the policy although a well-designed extension with a single stepped wall may be acceptable, although the length of the step should be reasonable and the design should not be dictated by the need to maximise the depth of the extension at the expense of the overall aesthetic.

Where there are existing extensions on adjacent properties built either as permitted development or with planning permission, the criteria set out in above will apply as from the original dwelling regardless of the depth of the adjoining extensions, although if an extension of greater depth is justified to secure a common alignment of rear extensions, this may be permitted.

Outbuildings can provide space for activities ancillary to the residential dwelling such as space for a study, gym or playroom/summer house. The scale of the development will be expected to be proportional to its ancillary function, and therefore be subordinate within the site.

Roof and side extensions, due to their visibility, can have a more discernible impact on the streetscene. Uniformity in architectural treatments, such as roof lines, and the rhythm of building widths are important to maintaining a continuity of character across parts of Enfield. Side facing dormers, in particular, can result in awkward development forms and disrupt the balance of a row of terraced or pair of semidetached houses, where roof treatments are mirrored.

Side extensions can, if developed right up to the side boundaries adjoining neighbouring properties, lead to a ‘terracing’ effect, as semi-detached or detached properties becomes attached via extensions to those adjoining properties. In many cases, this would be out of keeping with the character of the locality and therefore a clear separation between the built form needs to be maintained.

As a minimum, there needs to be a one metre separation from the side boundary, however, where this would give rise to a very large extension due to the size and nature of the residential plot, a greater distance may be required. The determining factors for the degree of separation include the impacts on the street scene and residential amenity (privacy, outlook, daylight, sunlight). Developers should also consider appropriate access for ongoing maintenance purposes.

Where the property is already at the end of a row of terraces, the circumstances are different and therefore the separation distance from the back edge of the pavement is important. Corner/end of terrace properties occupy prominent places along a street frontage, maintaining a separation from the pavement on a return frontage will help to ensure that side extensions on these properties are not overly dominant.

Where the property is within a conservation area, or setting of a listed building, flat roof dormers will rarely be considered appropriate. New dormers should respect the prevailing character and appearance of the roofscape and not cause additional / cumulative harm. Lack of visibility from the public realm does not equate to a lack of harm and consideration will be given to the impact upon all types of views at varying scales. The placement and design of dormers should be visually subordinate to the roofslope and relate to the style, proportions and arrangement of the lower elevation. Where a dormer has the potential to cause harm to a heritage asset, a greater level of detail will be required at application stage to ensure a high-quality intervention.

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