Another appeal won this month, this time for a householder in Ascot. Permission had been granted for a single storey extension to the property, but that would not have provided the room needed for the family. A larger scheme was refused permission by the Council on the grounds of harm to the character of the area. We undertook an appraisal of the area and prepared a comprehensive statement to explain how the larger extension would be entirely appropriate to this part of Ascot. The Inspector agreed and permission granted for the scheme the client hoped for.

Client: private householder

We are very pleased to have won a significant appeal in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea for substantial works and extensions to a house on the Phillimore Estate. This followed a long process of work with a number of other professionals, and a patient and supportive client.

The Council had set out their opposition for a three storey side and roof extension from the pre-application stage; they insisted the only way to extend the house was for a much smaller scheme. However, the client and advisors were convinced that such a compromise would be harmful to the house and the conservation area, with the property lying on an important corner site. We pursued an appeal and persuaded the Inspector that there would be an enhancement to the area. The Inspector agreed that our approach was correct; there is more than one way to extend a house, and that does not have to be what the Council was insisting upon.

Client: private householder

A small scale project, but which could have escalated into difficulties for the client if it had not been sensitively handled. 

A householder had undertaken changes to the property in a Kensington conservation area, including demolition of a long boundary wall and gates, and erection of a taller wall with new gates. Permission had been refused for these works and enforcement action was looming. We became involved and suggested minor changes to the as-built scheme. We submitted a revised application and undertook discussions, and the slightly amended scheme was approved under delegated powers. 

Client: private householder