Consultation on upward extensions in London

[Noelwd]

For anyone interested in the government's proposals to change the rules on upward extensions, I have attached a link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/501191/Consultation_on_Upward_Extensions_in_London.pdf

Deadline for responses 15 April 2016

[MarkT]

Thanks Noelwd for posting that.

I wonder if Southwark Council planning officers, or Planning Committee members, will read it. It includes a reminder that they are supposed to follow the London Plan.

?1.14 Boroughs? local development documents have to be ?in general conformity? with the London Plan, which is also legally part of the development plan, and in accordance with which a planning application must be determined in any part of London, unless there are material planning reasons why it should not.?

There have been a series of 4 storey approvals in East Dulwich, within the Suburban Zone, which the London Plan Policy 3.4 (and Table 3.2) Defines as 2-3 storeys. The density in those approvals accordingly exceeds the London Plan Policy. In each case, the officers report makes no mention of that Policy even when it is specifically cited by objectors.

Two of those recent approvals are for upward extensions, a fourth storey to an existing building ? Crown House and the former Iceland building. I think that neither would qualify for consideration under the new proposal.

?2.9 We are proposing a new permitted development right in London to allow additional storeys to be built on an existing building, up to the height of an adjoining roofline.?

The Crown House addition was described as a ?third floor?, and was approved by officers. Within days the 4 storey height was cited by officers as a precedent to justify 4 storeys for the nearby Crystal Palace Road factory site. In each case officers made no mention of London Plan Policy 3.4.

I wonder if Southwark Council will contribute to the consultation. Perhaps to share experience over the former Iceland site.

?2.4 We would welcome views from developers and local planning authorities on their experience of securing planning permission for this type of development, and what the key considerations were in developing and implementing their proposals to build upwards.?

MarkT