Policy information sourced from Redbridge Local Plan

LP30: Household Extensions

The Council will support householder development that:

  • Complements the character of the building, particularly in terms of scale, style form and materials;
  • Is subordinate to the existing building in terms of size, scale or height;
  • Incorporates a roof profle and materials sympathetic to the existing dwelling;
  • Maintains adequate spacing between buildings considered with the structure and an acceptable outlook from surrounding dwellings;
  • Retains satisfactory amenity space;
  • Avoids adverse impacts on the sunlight/daylight received by neighbouring properties. The impact can be assessed in terms of the use of afected rooms and living conditions, existing and alternative light sources and the scale and space around the afected dwelling;
  • Maintains or improves the appearance of the locality or street scene;
  • Is consistent with policies to protect local character or identifed heritage assets;
  • Respects the privacy of surrounding residents, having regard to the position of windows and layout/use of rooms, any changes in land levels, foor levels and boundary treatment;
  • Does not result in a serious cumulative impact on the environmental quality of the area;
  • Improves energy efciency and incorporates renewable sources of energy;
  • Respects the Council’s householder design guidance; and
  • Is in accordance with policy LP26.

Implementation

The Council will encourage residents to improve the sustainability of established homes through measures such as installation of loft insulation, double glazing, more efcient appliances and boilers and small scale renewable energy infrastructure. This will involve providing information about the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and utility bills. Such measures can produce and provide direct economic incentives to householders to undertake improvements where funding becomes available;

The Council will consider making Article 4 Directions to remove permitted development rights under Class A (A.1 (ea)) of Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the General Permitted Development Order 1995 (as amended) where a proposed extension threatens an exceptionally adverse impact on the amenity of neighbours or the character of the neighbourhood; and

Planning ofcers will advise local residents owning properties to use the Council’s Householder Design Guide (January 2012), in order to encourage domestic improvements that are in keeping with local character, whether for alterations to houses under permitted development rights or through the planning application process.

For more information please see the Local Plan