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Plan to add extra storeys to development under new PDR refused after housing association’s objection
Controversial plans to build additional storeys on the top of several buildings in a north London estate under newly introduced permitted development rights (PDR) have been refused after a housing association and leaseholders objected.
Barnet Council planning officers refused prior approval to the application from the owner of the multi-block development on Granville Road in Golders Green, Barnet, to build an additional 10 flats on top of the buildings because it did not meet the requirements of the new PDR laws. The application received nearly 40 objections after being submitted in August.
Tiger Granville Road, the freeholder of the development, had put forward a planning application to add an additional storey on three of the development’s four buildings, creating the 10 additional two and one-bedroom flats.
This came despite the buildings on the development receiving an External Wall System (EWS) form declaring that the blocks require extensive remediation work because of the presence of wooden balconies across the site.
The planning application was put to the council on 10 August, just over a week after the government’s new PDR laws had been introduced.
Under the new permitted development rules, which came into force on 1 August, building owners are now allowed to add up to two storeys on top of existing detached and purpose-built blocks of flats through a fast-tracked process. Building owners must apply to planning authorities for prior approval before the extension can take place.
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But in the case of Granville Road, the application was met with fierce resistance from the development’s leaseholders. Many of the leaseholders are Notting Hill Genesis shared owners, with the 55,000-home landlord the head lessee for some of the blocks.
Notting Hill Genesis was among one of 37 objectors to the plan; the association said it supported the leaseholders’ objections. Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, also opposed the plan over concerns around parking and refuse collection.
Yesterday, Barnet Council published its decision and refused prior approval to the additional homes.
It was rejected on the basis that the three buildings did not meet the requirements that blocks applying for extensions under PDR must be buildings consisting of separate and self-contained flats, with any ancillary facilities constructed solely for use by occupiers of the building.
In the case of Granville Road, the carpark underneath the buildings serves the general public as well as flat owners.
Under the PDR rules, a building applying for the rights “should not be attached to any other building”. Granville Road failed on this requirement due to the presence of the carpark, which connected all three buildings.
Other grounds for refusal included the detrimental impact the development would have on the appearance of the blocks, while there were also concerns about how the additional storeys would impact the privacy of lower balconies.
Responding to the decision, a Notting Hill Genesis spokesperson said: “Our priority is the quality of life of our existing residents and leaseholders and we will offer them whatever support we can.”
Inside Housing has contacted Tiger Granville Road for comment.
