Policy information sourced from Wandsworth Development Planning Management Policies Document

DMH 5 Alterations and extensions

In addition to satisfying the relevant criteria of Policies DMS2, DMH2 and DMH4, proposals for extensions and alterations to existing residential properties will be permitted where:

  • an extension is well designed, uses appropriate materials and is not so large that it dominates and competes with the original building;
  • an extension, dormer window or other alteration to a roof is confined to the rear of the building but where it is visible from the street or any other public place, it is sympathetic to the style of the building, not visually intrusive and does not harm either the street scene or the building’s appearance;
  • side extensions do not cause a terrace effect by in-filling the spaces between detached or semi detached buildings;
  • extensions are not erected in front of houses where they would be visible from the highway;
  • minor modifications to the front elevations such as a small porch, and free-standing structures providing cycle storage take appropriate account of scale, design and size of the original front garden;
  • in the case of conversions, refuse storage enclosures and service boxes are sited unobtrusively and do not detract from the appearance of the building or amenity;
  • rear extensions are subservient to the original house and its setting and are not over-dominant, ensuring that a substantial depth of the original rear garden will remain free of buildings and structures including lightwells, taking account of criteria set out in Policies DMS1 and DMH7;
  • no buildings or structures are proposed in front gardens, and where lightwells are proposed, at least 50% of the original front garden depth will remain subject in conservation areas to a minimum depth of 2 ms of garden usually being retained and to Policy DMS2b iii;
  • hardstandings do not dominate the appearance of front gardens or cause harm to the character or appearance of the dwelling or the street. In conservation areas, hardstandings are unlikely to be acceptable in line with the relevant Conservation Area Appraisal Strategies. The policy relating to permeable surfacing of hardstandings is set out in Policy DMS6.

Further detailed guidance on householder development including on extensions is provided in the Council’s Housing SPD.

For more information please see the Development Planning Management Policies Document