We are experts in planning appeals for homeowner extensions and this one was typical of the kind of work we do.
Barking & Dagenham Council had refused planning permission for these extensions because they thought it would harm the special character of the Becontree Estate.
The Becontree Estate was built at the beginning of the twentieth century as a large social housing project to home residents displaced following inner city slum clearances. It comprises around 27,000 homes on 3,000 acres of land and was designed and laid out on garden city principles. It is formed of short terraces of small two/three bedroom cottages with a plain, unadorned architectural design. Privet hedges were planted to the front of the houses.
It is certainly a very attractive, suburban estate and we agree with the council that development should not be permitted where it would harm the character of the area.
In the appeal, we pointed out that, though the estate retains its suburban character and layout, the houses have been altered in a variety of different ways. Various extensions and alterations now form part of its established character. The area is not a conservation area and the council’s policies do not impose additional controls on householder development in the estate.
We argued that the extensions were carefully designed to integrate with the character and appearance of the main house, and that they were similar to many other extensions to houses in the area.
The council had also argued that the new extensions would be overbearing on a neighbouring property. We successfully argued that there would be no material harm to living conditions at any of the neighbouring properties.
We were delighted when the inspector agreed with our arguments and granted permission.
The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham seems to be particularly stubborn when it comes to side extensions to suburban houses. We won another appeal for a very similar proposal not very long ago – see full details here.
If you have been refused planning permission for a similar development, do not hesitate to get in touch for some planning advice.
If you would like to learn more about how to get planning permission for extensions to your home, whether through submitting a planning application or by taking advantage of your permitted development rights, check out Martin Gaine’s bestselling book – How to Get Planning Permission: An Insider’s Secrets.
