📣Southwark Council are planning to BAN LOFT CONVERSIONS on Victorian properties📣

[rapunzel]

On 31/10/2024 at 15:26, alice said:

I think that accusation of bias is flawed.   Doesn’t it simply prevent overdevelopment which is of benefit to everybody? Especially those living below.

I agree on this point. I live in a one bedroom ground floor flat with a 2/3 bed flat above, should they build into the loft the negative impact below would be huge. Plus there is already only space (within the garden which is covered by the ground floor lease) for one wheelie bin per flat so unless Southwark decide to allow bins out on the pavements I am not sure where the additional waste produced by more residents will go! There are many things to consider when it comes to deciding on whether to grant planning permission that Southwark have never taken into account, hence the situation I guess they are in now. 

19 hours ago, dougiefreeman said:

In a city where successive governments have allowed property prices to spiral out of control, this just seems like a really cynical move.

Given that every other mid-terrace already has a full size dormer, I can't see what benefit there is to anyone to prevent further such development from happening. For many it will be the only way to increase space without moving out of the area. As families grow up and kids get bigger, more space is needed. What is the reason for doing this? It can't be aesthetics because then presumably they'd go to all the other properties and force them to reverse their developments.

OK it seems like permitted development stands for houses. What on earth benefit is there to restrict the top floor in a house (i.e. a flat) from doing the same thing?

Also what'll it do to property prices? Surely it could put a big value divide between neighbours houses?

Really bizarre thinking

From my point of view when part of the property is shared or owned by the freeholder in the case of flats I think the impact of extending, impact on any communal areas, space for bins etc should be taken into account. Every property is different so each case should be looked at differently.

Look at some of the house being converted into 3 flats, they look very smart but now the tiny front gardens are full of bins, rubbish and bike sheds that must impact on the ground floor.

Personally the appeal of living in a converted Victorian terrace dwindles when they become so small and crammed into a tiny house, might as well live in a purpose built block!