Location:
London Borough of Lambeth
Issue:
Overcoming Council’s previous rejections of a similar development
How we helped and added value:
Our client owned an end-of-terrace dwelling in a residential area of Lambeth, and had had two previous planning applications for an upward extension refused on design grounds. Our client approached us with a view to challenge the Council’s decision at appeal.
After reviewing the case, we alerted the client that following the Council’s decision new permitted development rights had been introduced by the Government for upwards extensions. It was our view that the subject property would benefit from these rights and that a scheme could be designed to accord with the regulations whilst also meeting the client’s requirements. Importantly, the scope of the Council’s assessment of the revised scheme as part of an application for ‘prior approval’ was more limited that the previous full planning applications, significantly increasing the prospects of it being granted.
We then prepared and submitted an application for prior approval - the first such one of this type that the London Borough of Lambeth had dealt with since the new permitted development rights had taken effect - and engaged with the Council's officer on design matters to ensure that the proposed materials of the extension would be appropriate to the host building and surrounding character. The Council accepted that the proposal complied with the relevant exceptions, limitations and conditions specified in the new permitted development regulations and granted prior approval for enlargement of existing house by one storey.
Not only did this secure permission for the client’s desired development, but it did so in a far reduced timeframe than would have been the case had an appeal been followed.
