Appeal 6003000

The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for rear extension to ground floor flat at [site address] in accordance with the terms of the application, Ref 25/02175/FUL, subject to the following conditions:

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

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with drawing nos 01, 08 [name], 09 [name], 10.

The external materials of the extension hereby permitted shall match those used in the existing building/dwelling.

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Fire Safety Strategy prepared by [name]:2108.

The description of development on the planning application form referred to a loft conversion for the top floor flat to include rear dormer and front rooflights. However, a form with amendments to the application form was submitted, with the description of development changed to ‘Rear extension to ground floor flat’. This matches the submitted drawings and the accurately describes the development considered by the Council. I have therefore used this amended description in the banner header and the decision above.

The main issue is the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of the adjoining property at [address] (No 25).

The existing and proposed rear extensions would project 4.5 metres from the original rear elevations of the appeal property and No 25. However, at the time of my site visit a single-storey rear extension was in place at No 25. The proposed extension at the appeal property would project only a small distance beyond the extension at No 25. As such, the proposed extension would not cause any significant loss of outlook or have an overbearing effect on No 25.

The proposed extension would therefore accord with policies SP4 and DM10 of the Croydon Local Plan 2018 and policy D3 of the London Plan March 2021, insofar as they require development to protect the amenity of occupiers of the occupiers of adjoining buildings, to deliver appropriate outlook and to enhance well-being.

The Council has suggested a series of conditions, which I have considered against the tests set out in the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance. In some cases, I have edited the suggested condition to improve precision and enforceability.

In addition to the standard time limit condition, I have attached a condition specifying the approved plans to provide certainty.

The proposed materials shown on the planning application form – tile hung walls and fibreglass roof – appear to relate to the original description for a loft conversion and dormer. No external materials have been detailed on the submitted drawings. A condition requiring the external materials to match the existing dwelling is therefore necessary in the interests of the character and appearance of the area.

To ensure that the development incorporates the necessary fire safety measures, a condition is necessary to ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Planning Fire Safety Strategy prepared by [name]:2108.

A condition has been suggested which would require at least one water butt of 100 litre volume to be installed and be retained and maintained for the lifetime of the development, to ensure that the principles of sustainable drainage are incorporated into the development and to reduce the impact of flooding. However, the Council has raised no concerns in relation to drainage and flooding, and it has not been demonstrated that the provision of a water butt would be necessary to make the development acceptable. I have therefore not included this condition.

For the reasons given above the appeal should be allowed.