Appeal 3317503

The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for the erection of first floor side extension with alterations at [site address] , [name], [postcode] in accordance with the terms of the application, Ref 22/05069/HSE, dated 6 December 2022, and the plans submitted with it, subject to the following conditions:

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

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.

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans, drawings: 22-05/OS01 rev C, EX01, EX02, PR01 and FP01.

I consider the main issue to be the effect of the proposed development on the architectural integrity of the host property and thereby the character and appearance of the area.

The appeal property, [site address] is a two-storey detached house located in a large garden plot. The area is characterised by an eclectic mix two-storey dwellinghouses of similar size on comparable sized plots.

The appellant proposes the construction of a flat roofed first floor extension over the existing garage, shower room, utility room and part of the kitchen at ground floor level. The external materials would match those of the existing house, including the expressed timber framing detailing to the street elevation. The flat roof would align with the eaves line of the pitched roof of the main house. Due to the existing ground floor plan the proposed addition would line through with the main gable of the house facing the street but would project further into the rear garden than the original rear wall of the host property.

As identified by the Council the proposed first floor addition would be consistent with other first floor extensions in the vicinity of the appeal site. However, it considers the projection beyond the principal elevation at first floor level would be an insubordinate and incongruous addition to the host building which would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the property and wider area.

I acknowledge that the proposed extension would project in beyond of the front wall of the first-floor study, a relatively narrow element in the overall composition of the street façade. However, it would not project further towards the street than the main first floor gable, a wider and more imposing element of the front elevation at first floor level.

In my judgement, for the above reasons, the projection of the proposed extension as designed would not appear as an incongruous design element. Overall, the proposed addition by reason of its height, flat roof and narrow width would appear as a subservient addition and not an overly dominant element in the overall design.

I therefore conclude in respect of the main issue that the proposed extension would not cause harm to the architectural integrity of the host property or thereby the character and appearance of the wider area. it would therefore accord with the objectives of Policy D3 of the London Plan ([name]

and Policy DM10.1 of the Croydon Local Plan (Adopted 27 February

as they relate to, amongst other things, the quality of design and respond to and enhance local distinctiveness.

The conditions follow from those suggested by the Council. To ensure a high quality development, I shall include a condition about the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the building.

In the interests of certainty, I shall impose a condition requiring the development to be undertaken in accordance with the approved plans.

For the reasons given above and having regard to all other matters raised, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed.