Innovative House Extension Design in Barnet: Enhancing Streetscape Character

Barnet, London, UK

In Barnet, local plannning policy posed challenges for upgrading the upper floor of a suburban semi-detached house. At present the house has a large ground floor; but a much smaller upper floor, typical of its mid-20th-century origins. The upper floor has only two bedrooms, with a small ancillary room that may have served as a cot or a dresser. To accommodate the owner's desire for a proper three-bedroom family dwelling, a side extension above the existing single-storey structure is required, requiring building out to the boundary which would not normally be permitted in local planning policy. 

During the design process, we noted  the character of neighboring properties on the street which have double fronted baysOur proposal includes a second gable-end bay to the front of the house, in character with the Tudor style of the main house and neighboring properties, creating a cohesive street scene.

Our meticulous drawings and approach recieved positive feedback from planning officers at pre-application stage and prompted us to proceed with a detailed planning application. We have now also completed the technical drawings and specification and look forward to the completion of the project in early 2025.