We recently received planning approval for a large loft extension to a detached house in a Conservation Area. These projects are always challenging due to planning constraints, but working in close collaboration with the Council can lead to a very positive outcome. We are now very excited to start the Detail Design phase, more images will follow soon!
The project is for a very large loft extension within a Conservation Area and as it always happens in these cases we had to go through several steps before receiving the formal approval.
The first one was to discuss the project with our clients and agree the overall design of the extension. Following this we sent the drawings to the Council to receive pre-planning application advice.
In this circumstance the pre-planning application proved to be extremely useful. We were able to engage in a very constructive conversation with the council and agree a design that would satisfy all the parties involved.
Our initial proposal was for a very modern looking loft extension including metal cladding and large doors and windows. The project also involved raising the ridge and the eaves of the existing roof.
Given the conservation status of the area we were not surprised when we received the first feedback from the council that suggested to use a more traditional language externally. We amended the proposals to include a mansard roof and smaller traditional looking dormers facing the rear of the property. We also included several roof lights that would not be visible from the street.
In the grand scheme of things this worked very well for us because we essentially achieved the same amount of space that we initially proposed. The daylight intake that we lost by reducing the size of doors and windows to the rear was regained by using skylights placed in strategic positions.
The result will be a gorgeous open space that will take advantage of a significant head height that matches the first floor of the property and very adequate daylight intake.
We can wait to see the project build and we'll update the blog in due course