Design considerations and Lambeth planning assessment matters

Clapham Lambeth SW9 Flat extension – Erection of a single storey rear / side extension with a courtyard to the ground floor flat and the replacement of shed with a garden room at the rear of the property.

Site Description

The site comprises of a four storey, terraced residential building located on the eastern side of Clapham Road. The subject building is subdivided into flats.

The site does not contain any listed buildings however is located within the Clapham Road Conservation Area. The site does not contain any trees which are subject to a TPO however there is a TPO tree in the neighbouring garden (number 397 Clapham Road).

No.395 is a late 19th century narrow 4 storey red brick building, with 3 storey canted window bay and decorative stucco; the building makes a positive contribution to the Clapham Road Conservation Area. The building is adjacent to an early 1800s piecemeal development No.s 355 to 393 which are now statutory listed.

Proposed Development

Erection of a single storey rear / side extension with a courtyard to the ground floor flat and the replacement of shed with a garden room at the rear of the property.

The proposed single storey ground floor extension would comprise of two elements, an extension to the rear of the existing outrigger and an infill extension. The outrigger extension would measure approximately 4 metres deep and approximately 5.86 metres wide (the width of the existing outrigger). The extension would measure have a dual pitched roof with a flat central element, measuring approximately 3.39 metres at its maximum and approximately
2.68 metres at the eaves. The side infill extension would be located approximately 2.21 metres from the rear elevation and would measure approximately 2.74 metres deep, approximately 1.39 metres wide and would have a pitched roof with a maximum height of approximately 3.25 metres pitching down to approximately 2.7 metres at the boundary. Both extensions would be brick finished.

An outbuilding is proposed to be located within the rear garden. The outbuilding would be located to the rear of the garden and would measure approximately 4.26 metres deep, approximately 56.1 metres wide and approximately 2.9 metres tall. The outbuilding would be timber clad.

Rear and Side Extension

Policy Q11 (a) states that when considering proposals for the alteration or extension of buildings, the council will expect proposals to have a design which positively responds to the original architecture, roof form, detailing, fenestration and other locally distinct forms. Policy Q11 (b) states that subordination will generally be a key consideration when considering proposals for extensions. Development which unacceptably dominates or overwhelms the host building will not be supported.

The proposed infill and end extensions are considered acceptable in principle, it is noted that the rear elevation of the subject site and its neighbours are not uniform in their development. The proposal complies with Policy Q11 (e) as it is single storey and subordinate in comparison to the existing 4 storey rear elevation and rear projection. The rear elevation of the extension would have a large amount of glazing, and the side infill is set in from the rear elevation of the original rear projection. It is considered that for these reasons the proposed development would not lead to harm to the Clapham Road conservation area.

The extensions would be acceptably subordinate to the property and its plot, retaining adequate garden space. This is consistent with policies Q5, Q11 and Q22.

Outbuilding

The proposed outbuilding would replace an existing garden shed in the same location, albeit with a slightly larger structure. The garden would retain more than 70% and it is considered that the pattern of openness within the rear gardens would be retained and as such there would not be harm to the conservation area, nor the setting of the listed buildings. It is considered that whilst the use of timber is not generally encouraged due to maintenance and the implications of weathering, in this case it is acceptable to use on a small scale domestic building. It is noted that the building is not set back at least 1 metre from all side boundaries, however it is considered that in this case there are sufficient set backs (approx. 0.5 metres on 3 sides) to allow for maintenance and that the visual terracing of outbuildings (should neighbouring properties choose to develop similar outbuildings) would not occur by virtue of these set backs, and the irregular pattern of the boundary treatments in this location. As such it is considered that a reason for refusal on the lack of 1 metre set backs could not be upheld at appeal.

Conclusion

Upon full assessment of the submitted material supporting the application, taking into account all material considerations, it is considered the objectives of the development plan have been met.

This project is also included on our Lambeth residential architects page as an example of a garden-flat extension in a conservation-area setting.

For inspiration and ideas see below some of our other residential projects in Lambeth.

BOROUGH SPECIFIC ARCHITECT AND PLANNING GUIDES FOR YOUR HOME PROJECT

Your local Council will have in place design and planning requirements for your home project and you will need to obtain planning approval for a wide range of extensions and alterations to your property.

When you get in touch we will offer you detailed advice about what is likely that your Council will approve and in the meantime we have prepared the following architectural and planning guides that include extracts of the relevant planning policy and examples of our projects in our Borough.

Barnet architects | Planning and design homeowner guide, Camden residential architect and planning guide, Enfield residential architect and planning guide, Hackney residential architect and planning guide, Hammersmith Fulham residential architect and planning guide, Haringey architects | Planning and design homeowner guide and planning guide, Islington residential architect and planning guide, Kensington and Chelsea Conservation architects, residential and planning guide,  Lambeth residential architect and planning guide, Lewisham residential architect and planning guide, Newham residential architect and planning guide, Tower Hamlets residential architect and planning guide, Waltham Forest residential architect and planning guide, Wandsworth residential architect and planning guide, Westminster residential architect and planning guide