Appeal 3285320

The description of development has been amended to exclude references to internal changes that do not in themselves constitute development.

The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for the erection of a first floor side extension and installation of an access door at ground floor level at [site address] in accordance with the terms of the application, Ref 21/4392/HSE, dated 6 August 2021, subject to the conditions in the attached schedule.

The main issue is the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the host building and the surrounding area.

The appeal property is a 2-storey semi-detached house that occupies a corner site next to the junction between [address] and [address]. It is located in a residential area comprising a mix of detached and semi-detached houses, many of which have been extended to the side resulting in generally close spacing between houses.

The appeal property and its attached pair, [address], would have originally been a mirrored pair. The symmetry between the front elevations of the pair has been disrupted due to a first floor addition to the side of No.20. The appeal proposal would comprise the erection of a first floor side extension. This would re-establish a high degree of symmetry between the pair of houses and represent a clear enhancement.

Due to its corner location, the proposal would be a prominent feature in the street scene. However, development close to exposed side boundaries is a characteristic of the area and therefore the harm in this respect is minor. On balance, the benefits resulting from the re-instatement of the symmetry of the pair of houses outweighs this harm.

For these reasons I conclude that the proposal would not have an unacceptable effect on the character and appearance of the host building and the surrounding area. It therefore accords with Policy CS5 of Barnet’s Local Plan ([name]) (2012), Policy DM01 of Barnet’s Local Plan (Development Management Policies) (2012), and guidance contained in the Residential Design Guidance SPD (2016). These policies and guidance seek to ensure that, amongst other matters, new development is well designed, respects the appearance, scale, and mass of surrounding buildings, and responds to the existing character of an area.

In addition to the standard time limit condition, I consider a materials condition is required to safeguard the character and appearance of the area. Furthermore, for the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning, a condition requiring the approved development to be carried out in accordance with the approved drawings is imposed.

To safeguard the privacy and amenities of the occupiers of properties on the opposite side of [address] a condition is imposed requiring the window in the flank elevation of the proposal to be glazed with obscure glass and the opening part to be at least 1.8m above floor level.

For the reasons set out above, and having regard to all other matters raised, I conclude that the appeal should succeed.

The development hereby permitted shall begin not later than 3 years from the date of this decision.

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: Block Plan A101 + A201 Draft 5 [name] A101 + A202 Draft 5 [name] A103 + A203 Draft 5 Loft Plan A104 + A204 Draft 5 Roof Plan A105 + A205 Draft 5 Section 1 A106 + A206 Draft 5 Section 2 A107 + A207 Draft 5 [name] A108 + A208 Draft 5 [name] A109 + A209 Draft 5 [name] 1 A110 + A210 Draft 5 [name] 2 A11 +A211 Draft 5

The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall match those used in the existing building.

Before the extension hereby permitted is first occupied the proposed window in the flank elevation at first floor level shall be glazed with obscure glass only and shall be permanently retained as such thereafter and the opening part of the window must be at least 1.8m above the floor of the room in which it is installed.