It can sometimes be hard to get planning permission for a two-storey side extension. Council planners are not very keen on house extensions that can be seen from the street and they worry that side extensions close the gap between the house and its neighbour and therefore harm the streetscene.
We have written elsewhere about how best to get permission for a two-storey side extension and how to win an appeal.
In this case, our client wanted to build a two-storey side extension to a standard semi-detached house in Leigh-On-Sea. The architect designed the house carefully to comply with general good practice for two-storey side extensions – it was set back a little from the front and had a lowered roof, so that it appears subordinate. It was also set away slightly from the side boundary.
The council refused to grant planning permission on the basis that the extension would unbalance the two houses and would be too visible from the street.
We appealed the decision on behalf of the client and were delighted when the appeal was allowed and planning permission was granted. In our Appeal Statement we examined the council’s policies and guidance, to show that the proposal complied with the usual requirements. The key policy documents are the Southend Development Management DPD and the Design and Townscape Guide.
We also examined in detail the character and appearance of the area, including other similar extensions that had been granted permission and been built, to show that the extension would look out of place. The inspector agreed with us that the extension was well designed and would cause no harm to the area.
If you have been refused planning permission for a two-storey side extension, please get in touch!
