Pre-Application Advice for a Householder Extension (PreApp Case Study #1)
Welcome back to the PreApp blog! In today’s article, we’re going to give you an overview on some advice we recently gave to a client who’s seeking to undertake a dormer extension in a relatively tricky location. Don’t forget, if you’re not already, be sure to follow us across all social media platforms and subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly video content!
The breakdown of the situation:
So, the client in question used the pre-application service found at www.preapp.co.uk and provided with a little bit of information. They wanted to do this development to their house within Southend-On-Sea but they had previously had planning permission refused for a relatively large scale dormer extension to the rear of their property.
They were looking to seek to overcome the issues the council had previously raised, however they tried to contact their local planning authority by way of a standard pre-application submission and they’d had no response. The client contacted us through the online portal and explained their situation and we provided them with pre-application within 3 working days.
The breakdown of the advice:
Statistically, householder planning applications for dormer extensions within that particular area of Southend-On-Sea were approved 75% of the time by the council within the last 6 months. However, due to the relatively sensitivity of this particular street and the previous refusal issued in relation to it, we considered that statistically the application sat at the present point at around a 40% chance of success.
Our advice to this client was to prepare a more thorough Design and Access Statement which gave more reference to similar extensions that had taken place within the surrounding area. We advised the applicant to work with an Architect to show a massing study that demonstrated that the extent of the dormer was commensurate and similar to those provided within the wider area and provided a similar interrelationship from a visual perspective on the street scene.
In considering the implementation of such plans into other successful applications within the location, we considered that on balance, by introducing this information the increase in the application’s likelihood of achieving planning permission was increased to around 60-65% which still sits below the expected average within the area, but in the circumstances where there’s already been a refusal substantially improves the chances of getting planning permission.
Finally, we gave some detailed advice to the client on what they should seek to implement and introduce within their case and gave further top tips on how to manage their planning application. By combining real-time data within the local planning authorities statistics and professional advice, we feel that we have given that particular client a very accurate picture on their likelihood of achieving planning permission and we understand that they are currently preparing a planning application with our recommendations in mind!
PreApp is a reinvention of the pre-application service. Take advantage of the service yourself by visiting our website! We hope you enjoyed today’s blog article and learnt some valuable information about pre-applications. As always, please follow us across social media to stay up to date with new content and if you haven’t already, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you require any assistance with a submission, be sure to navigate to the Home page of our website and see the details there, alternatively, you can contact us any time!