Roof extension at 51 Dryburgh Road, Putney, London SW15

What was proposed

The application proposed removing the existing roof and adding a roof extension to create another floor, with a front roof terrace.

“The additional height of this extension would be 3.3m to the ridge, 2.26m to the eaves, and 2.58m to the flat roof section. It would be confined to the existing width and depth of the building, extruding the house upwards. This extension would feature one window to the rear, and windows and a balcony/terrace to the front. The roof would be partially sloped and partially flat, and would feature a row of clerestory windows and one rooflight…”

Officer report

The site

The site is a modern two-storey infill house in the Landford Road Conservation Area, set lower than its neighbouring buildings.

“Two-storey infill house set back from the street with paved front area. It is a relatively modern building set at a lower height than the two adjacent buildings. Adjacent to the west is a two storey house (with additional accommodation in the roof) which bounds to the rear of the application building. Adjacent to the east is a two-storey (with additional accommodation in the roof), detached building, in use as flats.”

Officer report

Earlier planning permission

A previous application approved demolition of the existing building and construction of a larger house, but it was not implemented.

“2022 (2022/1644) – pp: Demolition of existing building and erection of a 2-storey (plus loft and basement) house including rear first floor level terrace and front lightwell, with associated cycle and refuse storage. (Not Implemented)”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the extension sympathetic to the house, conservation area and street scene, with acceptable effects on privacy, daylight and sunlight.

“Policy LP5 for extensions states that the proposal respects and/or complements the form, setting, period and detailing of the host building, uses matching or complementary materials, and would be visually subservient to it. The existing house is an unlisted modern dwelling in the Landford Road Conservation Area.”

“It is therefore considered that any impact on daylight/sunlight would be minimal and acceptable from an amenity perspective. Fire Safety 3.1 The Fire Safety Statement submitted with the application demonstrates compliance with London Plan (2021) Policy D12 Part A which confirms the application would be acceptable from a fire safety perspective.”

Officer report

What neighbours said

Seven neighbours objected over light, privacy, outlook, the terrace, design, materials, repairs and the increased prominence of the house.

“Number of letters sent 15 Site Notice Yes Press Notice Yes Number of responses received 7 Number of neighbour objections 7 Number of neighbour support 0 Number of neighbour comments 0”

“Neighbour Consultation Summary OBJECTIONS: summarised as: - Loss of light to adjacent windows - Lack of consideration to the poor state of the existing property and necessary repairs - Impacts and precedent from the proposed balcony/terrace - Inappropriate design and materials of the extension - Loss of privacy from additional windows - Additional storey would increase prominence of an already inappropriate house - Loss of outlook…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The opposition speaker asked for an informative requiring the existing brickwork to be cleaned, and the area team manager supported adding it.

The committee’s decision

The committee unanimously granted planning permission as recommended, with an additional informative about cleaning the brickwork.

“The Opposition Speaker noted an informative in the report in relation to the cleaning of the existing brickwork as it was looking quite tired. He suggested that an informative be added to ensure that the brickwork would be cleaned as part of the addition of the extra storage, which would make a difference. The Area Team Manager (West Team) advised that this would not be an issue and one which would add to the improvement overall.”

“RESOLVED – (unanimous) that planning permission be granted as set out in the report, with an additional informative in relation to the cleaning of the brickwork.”

Minutes