Appeal Decision 103 - Certificate of Lawful Development.
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February 2010 - Code a00103
Summary of Case (appeal
dismissed):
The property is a two-storey
mid-terrace house with an original two-storey rear projection. The application was for a proposed “L”-shaped
dormer, which would have been across both the rear roof of the main part of the house as well as the side roof
of the original two-storey rear projection. The height of the latter part of the extension would have exceeded
(by a significant amount) the height of the ridge-line of the original two-storey rear projection.
The key issue was whether the
proposals would be contrary to Class B, part B.1(a), which states that “Development is not permitted by Class B
if … any part of the dwellinghouse would, as a result of the works, exceed the height of the highest part of the
existing roof”.
The Inspector stated the
following:
“The Council refused the
application because they said the proposal included an extension which would exceed the height of the highest
point of the existing roof. By that they meant the proposed raising of the roof to the existing rear outshoot
extension to the height of the proposed main roof dormer extension. They referred me to a decision of my
colleague in the appeal case [August 2009 - Code a00022], which, they said, supported
their interpretation of condition B.1(a) to Class B in Part 1 of the Schedule to the amended Order. In all other
aspects of the Order, the Council were satisfied that the proposed works would comply with the terms of the
Order.
I agree with the Council
that this appeal should fail. But not for the reason they put forward. The Council said the proposal would not
comply with condition B.1(a) that says: Development is not permitted by Class B if – (a) any part of the
dwellinghouse would, as a result of the works, exceed the height of the highest part of the existing roof; … .
The condition is not clear as to what is meant by “the existing roof”. Clearly, the Council, (and my colleague
earlier), regarded it here as applicable to the roof of the rear outshoot. But I prefer the guidance arising
from the case of Hammersmith and
Fulham LBC v SSE 2068.4.1 [1994] JPL 957 in which D Keene QC, sitting as Deputy Judge, said "the existing
roof" referred to the roof of the house as a whole, and not just that of the flat roof extension.
He said there was no reason to cut down the scope of the words in para. B.1(a), which should be taken as
referring to the highest part of the roof of the dwellinghouse as a whole. That decision predated the 2008
amendment to the Order. But the condition’s wording is the same. On that basis, Mr Assi’s proposal satisfies
condition B.1(a).”
The Inspector then dismissed
the appeal on the basis that the proposals would be contrary to Class B, B.2(b).
Main
Conclusions:
·
The phrase “the highest part of
the existing roof” refers to the house as a whole (i.e. the main ridge-line), and not just the
part of the house where the works would be carried out. [Note: This would appear to contradict
at least one other appeal decision – for further information see the entry in the “Reference Section” on
“Highest Part of the … Roof”]. [Relevant to: “Highest Part of the … Roof”, A.1(b),
C.1(b), G.1(a), H.1(b)].
·
For example, where a property
has an original rear projection, a dormer on the roof of the latter structure is limited by the height of the
main ridge-line of the house, and not by the height of the ridge-line of the original rear
projection. [Note:
This would appear to contradict at least one other appeal decision – for further information see the entry in
the “Reference Section” on “Highest Part of the … Roof”]. [Relevant to: “Highest Part of the … Roof”, A.1(b),
B.1(a), C.1(b), G.1(a), H.1(b)].
Links to the “Appeal
Decision Notice” and other associated documents (e.g. drawings, etc):
·
Appeal Decision
Notice:
http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00103-Appeal-Decision-Notice.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
Existing
Drawings: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00103-Existing-Drawings.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
·
Proposed
Drawings: http://planningjungle.com/?s2member_file_download=a00103-Proposed-Drawings.pdf&s2member_skip_confirmation&s2member_file_inline=yes
Download documents and diagrams of
useful
Permitted Development
information
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