Plainview Planning have recently secured planning permission for material changes to be made to the exterior of a home which is sited within the conservation area of the London Borough of Richmond.
The challenge:
The applicant needed to extend into the loft space of their residential dwelling in order to provide additional living accommodation for a growing family. However, a previous application for similar had been dismissed at appeal.
To further complicate matters the site was identified as a Building of Townscape Merit and covered by an Article 4 direction which removed permitted development rights. Plainview Planning were instructed to assist with the submission of a revised application.
The solution:
Our planning consultants reviewed the previous refusal and appeal dismissal. They identified a potential misapplication of the tests which should apply to planning proposals within a conservation area, and referenced relevant case law which further supported the argument and identified how the proposed alterations would not on balance, cause a negative impact to the street scene as a whole.
They also engaged effectively with Richmond Borough Council and negotiated some pragmatic design revisions which resulted in a scheme which satisfied the needs of our client and the policy requirements of the local council.
Richmond Borough Council concluded that the application provided no demonstrable harm and was in accord with the Development Plan and NPPF. It was also felt that the design, scale, form and proportions of the proposal were considered acceptable and would continue to preserve the character and appearance of the surrounding conservation area.
About us:
Plainivew Planning is an independent town and country planning consultancy. Our planning consultants have a great breadth of experience and specialise in planning applications and appeals, changes of use, enforcement, and self-build projects. If you feel your planning enquiry would benefit from professional planning consultant support then contact us via enquiries@plainview.co.uk to see how we can best assist.