Double-storey rear extensions on semis are among the most scrutinised applications in London. The upper floor windows can overlook neighbouring rear gardens, triggering privacy objections that are difficult to resolve without design changes. We address this at drawing stage rather than leaving it to pre-decision negotiation.
Greenwich's standard approach is to require that upper-floor rear windows facing neighbouring gardens are either obscure-glazed, set above 1.7m from finished floor level, or at sufficient distance that the overlooking impact is not material. We designed the upper floor with two rear windows, both set at 1.8m sill height — a common specification on this type of extension.
The design used a brick-matching strategy: we sampled the existing Victorian yellow stock brick and specified a Michelmersh Gault Mixture as the new brick, which matches within two shades. Greenwich's design guidance specifically encourages material matching on extensions to Victorian and Edwardian properties.
Application determined in 10 weeks. The clients had budgeted for 12 weeks based on previous experience with a planning consultant — the faster turnaround meant their builder could be booked earlier in the construction season.
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