We have secured planning approval for an architect designed, single storey detached annexe which will provide ancillary accommodation for a dwelling in Brockley, South East London.
The site:
Although the property benefits from a large garden to the rear with a well defined boundary providing an effective screen from neighbouring gardens, the site posed a number of planning challenges including;
- its location within the Brockley Conservation Area;
- and the surrounding tall buildings on the western and southern boundaries.
Design and negotiation:
In light of this, a great deal of consideration was given to the design of the annexe. Architects at studio – ia proposed an innovative design which gave the annexe a split in height to take account of its specific context and to allow for the height of surrounding buildings, whilst still maintaining a subservient appearance to the host dwelling. The use of materials was also carefully considered to ensure a positive response to its immediate context and the wider setting.
We assessed the design for its policy compliance, sought to resolve any concerns held by the Conservation Area Society and negotiated effectively with the case officer on the finer details.
Our robust planning statement identified that due to the careful siting and design of the annexe, there would be no impact on neighbouring amenity. Furthermore, we were able to successfully argue that the very real personal need for the annexe was a valid material consideration. In order to further mitigate any remaining concerns, we proposed a condition to control the use of the annexe as ancillary to the main dwelling, now and in the future.
We supported our client in their preparation for planning Committee and were delighted that the application was approved. We were also grateful for our client’s feedback which identified that our ongoing support and our planning statement were “fundamental” to the application’s success.
About us:
We are a team of experienced planning consultants and urban designers who work on a retainer basis for a number of national providers of annexe accommodation. We are well versed in the potential challenges of these types of applications and negotiate the planning process effectively for our clients. You can read more examples of our experience in this area here.
IMAGE SOURCE: studio – ia 2016