Fuller Long have successfully won a householder appeal located in a conservation area in the borough of Barnet, North London, EN5.
Fuller Long were approached by our client after the refusal of the application for an extension was given on the grounds that it would fail to blend in with the existing size and appearance of the building and would also not preserve or enhance the character of the Conservation Area. The proposal was therefore considered by Barnet Council to not align with Government Policies contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The property in question was located in a quiet, residential cul de sac that backed onto a golf course, which lay within the green belt. Both the property and the golf club also lay within the Monken Hadley Conservation Area. Conservation areas and Green Belt land are sensitive areas for development and without sufficient consideration, gaining planning permission is often a difficult and arduous process.
This was the case with this application as despite the proposal being supported by the case officer, when referred to the Planning Committee, the Committee voted 4-0 to refuse the application.
In our grounds of appeal, Fuller Long highlighted that the decision notice raised no concerns or objections in respect of the Green Belt, or the impact to neighbouring properties’ residential amenities. It was mostly the impact on the conservation area that was the driving force behind Committee Members reason for refusal. By lodging a robust structured argument against this decision, Fuller Long made the case that the extension was in fact designed to reflect and respect the appearance and features of the existing building and as such, would not pose issues to the size or appearance of the existing property or the surrounding conservation area. Thus, complying with policies within the NPPF. In doing so, Fuller Long were able to put a strong case forward on behalf of our clients and were delighted to have won this appeal.
The Evening Standard reports that this year is the 50th anniversary of the idea of conservation areas, which have protected and preserved many of London’s spaces, and in turn been very prosperous for the architectural aspects of many of London’s popular residential areas. There are currently 16 conservation areas in Barnet, with Westminster, Lambeth and Tower Hamlets leading the way with 62 areas in Lambeth, 56 in Westminster and 58 in Tower Hamlets.
Conservation Areas were introduced through the Civic Amenities Act 1967, and there are now more than 9,000 across the country. They are ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.
However, there has been much debate over the purpose and the stringent planning rules that go hand in hand when dealing with conservation areas. Planning Permission is requisite for most construction projects in conservation areas and can sometimes be difficult to achieve.
To discuss a planning issue in regards to Conservation Areas with one of our experienced team of consultants, please call us on 0808 164 1288 for a no obligation conversation or email us at hello@fullerlong.com
