Planning Permission - Roof Terrace

[littlep]

Does anyone have any experience of trying to get planning permission from Southwark Council for a roof terrace? We've been advised by a builder that it is difficult to get planning permission from Southwark compared to other councils.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[James Barber]

Hi littlep,

The main reticence about roof terraces is about over looking other peoples properties. Southwark compared to many other boroughs has higher density. So your builder is probably correct compared to less dense areas of London.

I've seen a number of applications that have included flat roof space where conditions have been added blocking this after a number of neighbouring residents expressed fear about a roof terrace being created.

so would you overlook any neighbouring properties or gardens. IF you would then you need to work out whether they'd mind or not. If they would then you'll understandably have a fight on your hands with other people wanting to preserve the privacy and use of their property/land.

Hope this helped and I hope it all works out for you and your neighbours.

[pebbles]

We live on Friern Road and around us quite a few of the houses have been divided into 2 flats and the top flat has got a roof terrace and stair case leading to their half of the garden.

I suppose I do notice them but only as much as I would notice if they were in the garden (all our fences are half height) and I think it's so important that people can have outdoor space if possible that it probably outweighs any lack of privacy. Fingers crossed you have understanding neighbours.

[BigED]

If the outside space is really that important to you then you should really try to find a property that already has it. When we are all living cheek by jowl, the limited privacy we do have becomes increasingly important. I don't want to be overlooked as I would be if neighbours built a roof terrace. It's not as if I'm doing a Kate Middleton, but I do want to be able to enjoy the tiny garden we have without somebody else looking in on us.

Southwark Council and the Planning Inspectorate (for appeals) have taken a very consistent line - if an application for a roof terrace would cause overlooking of neighbouring properties it is very unlikely to get the go-ahead. There's nothing to stop you putting in the application, but you can't expect your neighbours to be supportive - what would make your home more enjoyable, more valuable and easier to sell would have the opposite effect on their homes.

[Marmora Man]

A good architect might be able to help you with a design to include a "privacy" element that ensures it's difficult to overlook too many neighbouring properties.

[red devil]

Planners tend to take the long term view when it comes to roof terraces and overlooking. So even if current neighbours don't object, future neighbours might.

If a terrace meant that you overlooked neighbours you're unlikely to get planning for it reagrdless if your neighbours didn't object...

[v_the_gelfling]

Christ, i'd say Southwark will approve anything based on some of the eyesores i've seen constructed.

[Jeremy]

Take a look to see whether any other properties on the road have a roof terrace. If there is a precedent, then I think the council are more likely to be lenient.

[steveo]

Just do it

[Otto]

We tried and a planning officer came over to say why we could not have one. The problem is the issue of overlooking others according to him. We suggested we would have tall walls of hedges so that we could not and also to provide added green spaces for wildlife - our design was primarily garden. The planning officer said even though it was "green" southwark was quite firmly against roof terraces and would not budge, the exception being in multi-occupancy flats where outdoor spaces were needed. We tried every angle to no avail. Also - another person on our street was forces to remove theirs. Alas.

[first mate]

Otto,

I imagine it is all about setting a precedent, because even if yours were allowed to go ahead and was screened and green, as you say, it would probably open up the territory for much less neighbour-friendly developments. .

I have to say that I think the skyline is being increasingly ruined by the number of appalling loft conversions that have been passed- stalinist mock-slate obelisks, atop humble terrace houses.

[fixated]

I undertake a lot of planning in Southwark and it will be a hard one to get through. That said I have seen in the past clever use of angled slats, obscured glazing, organic walls etc to obscure any view of neighbours gardens... this obviously still lets the light in but you cant oversea your neighbours. If you do want to give it a try then feel free to give me a buzz... Good luck, Mikail

[Siduhe]

We dealt with something similar a while back - the top of our house has balconies at the front and back, the back one overlooks neighbours' gardens, and the front one overlooks the road.

Southwark Planning originally took the view that neither balcony could be used at all other than for roof maintenance because of the same privacy concerns and issues. After a lot of discussions, it was agreed that the planning permission would note the back balcony couldn't be used other for maintenance (and if neighbours complained enforcement would follow). However there is no restriction on the front balcony, because we could show the areas overlooked could already be seen from other neighboring properties windows and partly from the road.