Dirty trick No. 5:- Switching of the principal elevation

Some properties such as corner plots and large complicated detached houses on larger plots for example can have indeterminate principal elevations. In most homeowners minds this is simply another word for ‘front elevation’ which is also the principal elevation and your own assessment may differ from the Planners assessment.

Therefore if your main front door to the property is on a rather bland and architecturally faceless un interesting wall or elevation and your property benefits from a more interesting elevation on another side of the property with lots of architectural detailing and articulation etc. then this can be considered by the Planners as the principal elevation even without the front door. Be aware that the principal elevation need not be the one that affronts a highway.

Suggestion:- Make your own assessment right from the start what is your principal elevation based upon the test stated above. Be realistic and open minded. Often this approach of ‘switching principal elevation’ can favour the homeowner. Ask your house extension designer or architect as well what they consider to be the principal elevation for a second opinion. If there can be any doubts use the one that suits your own development plans for PD and make this clear on the application drawings which elevation is the principal one.