Three neighbours add a full storey to their houses

When the Permitted Development rules changed in 2020 to allow additional storeys to be added to certain properties without the need of planning approval the three neighbours thought this could be a solution to the needs of their growing families. As the existing houses only have small rear gardens there was no potential to extend backwards, so the idea of ‘going up together’ was born.

The neighbours carried out a comprehensive consultation with the wider group of residents which was overwhelmingly positive, mainly due to the fact the additional storey did not create any new overshadowing to the adjacent properties. We then approached the Dulwich Estate Scheme of Management with the scheme which was eventually approved by the committee on the condition that the new extensions exactly match the original houses.

The feedback from neighbours in the street is indeed that the extended homes look “like they have always been there”.

The additional space gave each family two new bedrooms, and some even added separate studies. This allowed the families to stay rooted in the local community and avoid a move to a new area of London, likely further away, with longer commutes and a change of schools for the children.

Photos: Andy Stagg