Project Overview
We were initially engaged in early 2017 to provide advice to the scheme’s architect on how he could overcome the refusal of permission. Our recommended strategy was to first obtain permission for separate side and rear extensions before re-applying for the preferred scheme, which comprised a fully integrated wrap-around two-storey extension.
As we anticipated, the reduced scheme was approved but the larger application was again refused by London Borough of Hounslow; however; our appeal against that decision was allowed.
Essentially, the appeal inspector found that the Council had rigidly applied its adopted planning policies and related supplementary planning guidance for residential extensions without taking proper account of site-specific circumstances. He agreed with our argument that because the end-of-terrace property stands in a relatively generous well-screened plot, abutting a school playing field and backing onto a railway line, the Council’s concerns about overdevelopment and a terracing effect did not actually apply.
This case demonstrates that rushing off to appeal is not always the best approach. Our carefully devised strategy focused the appeal Inspector’s mind on the difference between the approved and proposed extensions, and the minimal visual impact that the additional bulk would have on the street scene in the cul-de-sac situation.
