Appeal allowed for a side and rear single-storey extension at 118 Rowlands Avenue, Harrow
Planning permission was refused for a new single-storey side and rear extension at 118 Rowlands Avenue in Harrow. Following an appeal, the decision was overturned and planning permission was granted.
The proposal involved demolishing an existing side extension and replacing it with a new single-storey side and rear extension. The council refused permission on the grounds that the extension would harm the appearance of the house and the surrounding area, and that it would have an unacceptable impact on the neighbouring property at number 120.
The appeal was considered by an independent inspector after a site visit.
Why the council refused the application
The council argued that the new side extension would be too large and would not appear sufficiently subordinate to the main house. It also raised concerns about the roof design and said that the proposal would look out of keeping with the character of the area.
In addition, the council considered that the rear part of the extension would be too deep and too close to the boundary, leading to an unacceptable loss of light and outlook for the occupiers of the neighbouring property.
What the inspector decided
The inspector did not agree with the council’s assessment.
Although the new side extension would be larger than the structure it replaced, the inspector placed weight on its design. The pitched roof would match the main house, the ridge would sit noticeably lower, and the gable would be narrower than the existing extension. Taken together, this meant that the extension would read as clearly subordinate to the main dwelling rather than dominating it.
The inspector also considered the appearance of the house as a whole. While the proposal would slightly alter the symmetry between the two semi-detached properties, the surrounding street contains a wide mix of house types and designs. In that context, the change was not considered harmful.
The front boundary wall and railings were also found to be acceptable, as similar boundary treatments are common along the street.
Impact on the neighbour
The inspector then looked carefully at the effect on the neighbouring property.
Although the rear extension would sit on the boundary, only part of it would project beyond the neighbour’s garage. The extension would be single-storey with a flat roof, and the neighbouring property sits at a higher level, with its main rear doors positioned away from the boundary.
Taking all of this into account, the inspector concluded that the extension would not feel overbearing and would not result in a harmful loss of light or outlook.
Outcome
The appeal was allowed and planning permission was granted, subject to standard conditions. These included conditions requiring matching materials, preventing the flat roof from being used as a balcony, and restricting new side windows to protect neighbour privacy.
This decision shows that, in Harrow, single-storey extensions can be acceptable even where they sit close to boundaries, provided their design is carefully thought through and their impact is properly assessed in context.
For a broader explanation of how planning appeals are assessed locally, see our main page on planning appeals in Harrow.
If your planning application has been refused in Harrow, particularly for a single-storey side or rear extension, an appeal may be worth considering. We are happy to offer a free initial assessment of your case.
