First floor rear bedroom extension, ground floor entrance modification with no change to single storey roof, variation to 23/4605/HSE for part single, part two storey rear extension with associated new terrace and access steps. Conversion of garage to habit able room including new access steps. 2no. rear facing rooflights and side gable windows. Changes to fenestration to rear and front elevation
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Heritage & Conservation
Character & Appearance
Extensions
Inspector’s Reasoning
Appeal Decision
Site visit made on 25 February 2025
by M Aqbal BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI
an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State
Decision date: 06th May 2025
Appeal Ref: 6000036
Trevanion Cottage, 135 Totteridge Lane, Whetstone, Barnet, London N20 8NS
• The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended)
against a refusal to grant planning permission
• The appeal is made by Mr Max Bloom against the decision of the Council of the London Borough of
Barnet.
• The application Ref is 24/3035/HSE.
• The development proposed is first floor rear bedroom extension, ground floor entrance modification
with no change to single storey roof, variation to 23/4605/HSE for part single, part two storey rear
extension with associated new terrace and access steps. Conversion of garage to habit able room
including new access steps. 2no. rear facing rooflights and side gable windows. Changes to
fenestration to rear and front elevation.
This decision is issued in accordance with section 56 (2) of the Planning and
Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as amended and supersedes that issued on
27 March 2025.
Decision
1. Planning permission is granted for first floor rear bedroom extension, ground floor
entrance modification with no change to single storey roof, variation to
23/4605/HSE for part single, part two storey rear extension with associated new
terrace and access steps. Conversion of garage to habitable room including new
access steps. 2no. rear facing rooflights and side gable windows. Changes to
fenestration to rear and front elevation, at Trevanion Cottage, 135 Totteridge Lane,
Whetstone, Barnet, London N20 BNS, in accordance with the application Ref
24/3035/HSE and subject to the Schedule of Conditions attached to this Decision.
Preliminary Matters
2. I am aware that planning permission has already been consented for extensions to
the appeal property under Ref. 23/4605/HSE (‘the fallback scheme’). It is likely that
should this appeal not succeed the appellant would implement the fallback
scheme. As such, I have had regard to this in determining this appeal.
3. In reaching my Decision, I have considered the revised version of the National
Planning Policy Framework that was published in December 2024 (as amended)
(‘the Framework’) but this does not alter my findings on the main issue
Main Issue
4. The main issue is whether the proposal would preserve or enhance the character
and appearance of the Totteridge Conservation Area (‘TCA’).
Appeal Decision: 6000036
2
Reasons
5. The appeal site comprises a 2 storey, detached dwelling and associated amenity
space. The surrounding area is predominantly residential in nature, primarily
featuring larger 2/2.5 storey, detached dwellings. The site is located within the TCA
and lies adjacent to a Grade II Listed Building at 131-133 Totteridge Lane. This part
of the TCA largely comprises individually designed detached dwellings set in
generous plots.
6. The appeal property because of its detached form, individual design and generous
plot, positively contributes to the significance of the TCA.
7. The proposal includes a number of elements, some of which have already been
approved as part of the fallback scheme. In addition, the proposed scheme
includes a further extension to Bedroom 2. As approved under the fallback scheme,
the floor area for this bedroom is about 10m2, which is below the Nationally
Described Space Standards for a room with a double bed. Under the proposed
scheme, the depth of this bedroom would be extended by about 1.5m to provide a
modest increase in floor space of approximately 3m2. Despite the increase in size,
the rear elevation of this extension would still be recessed from the remainder of
the first floor rear elevation.
8. Whilst I note the Council’s, in principle, objection to the flat roof design of this part
of the proposal, this is not too dissimilar to the fallback scheme. Moreover, this,
along with the slight setback of the rear elevation, would make this part of the
property, subordinate to the adjacent first floor gable end extension. As such,
relative to the fallback scheme, this element would not undermine the overall scale
and appearance of the rear elevation of the appeal property.
9. The rear elevation would incorporate a number of large windows and glazed doors.
Whilst the Council has suggested a homogenous style of windowpane size, the
rear elevation of the appeal property already incorporates some variation in
fenestration detail. Therefore, the use of larger windowpanes for the ground floor
fenestration and doors relative to those proposed for the first floor, creates some
distinction and interest between the lower and upper floors of the rear elevation and
this would not diminish the overall design and quality of the proposal.
10. The proposal also includes an extension to the hallway. This would extend the
hallway under 1m further forward into the extant porch. Notwithstanding this, the
facade of the entrance to the property would be similar to its current appearance,
which features a door flanked by smaller windows. Also, the hallway extension falls
entirely under the cover of the existing porch roof and would retain a small
overhang to match the main roof. There is no change to the flank west elevation
because the increase in the size of the hallway would not extend beyond the extant
porch wall. The main appreciable difference would be modest increase in depth
along the flank east elevation of the porch. As such, this alteration would not
undermine the overall design of the appeal property.
11. For the above reasons, the proposed first floor extension and front porch both
individually and cumulatively with the other extensions, are proportionate and would
assimilate with the existing design of the appeal property. As such, the proposal
would preserve the character and appearance of the TCA.
Appeal Decision: 6000036
3
12. Accordingly, I find no conflict with Policy DM01 of the Development Management
Policies Development Plan Document (September 2012) (‘DMP’) and Policy CS5 of
the Local Plan Core Strategy (September 2012). Together, these require proposals
to be of high quality that preserve or enhance local character. I also find no conflict
with Policy DM06 of the DMP, this requires that all heritage assets are protected in
line with their significance, and that all development has regard to the local historic
context.
Conditions
13. In imposing conditions, I have had regard to the requirements of the Planning
Practice Guidance and the Framework. In addition to the standard timescale
condition for the implementation of the planning permission, I have imposed a
condition specifying the approved drawings in the interests of certainty.
14. To ensure that the development positively contributes to the appeal property and
character and appearance of the TCA, I have specified a condition requiring details
and the approval of all external materials and finishing (including fenestration and
doors). For the same reasons a condition specifying the design for the proposed
rooflights is also necessary.
15. A condition preventing the use of any approved flat roof areas for balcony, roof
garden or similar amenity or sitting out area is reasonable and necessary to
safeguard the living conditions of neighbours.
Conclusion
16. For the above reasons, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed.
M Aqbal
INSPECTOR
Appeal Decision: 6000036
4
Schedule of Conditions
1) This development must be begun within three years from the date of this
permission.
2) The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the
following approved drawings:
Drg No 501-Rev A - Approved and Proposed Site Plan;
Drg No 500 - Site Location Plan;
Drg No 502-Rev B - Existing and Proposed Ground Floor Plan;
Drg No 503-Rev B - Existing and Proposed First Floor Plan;
Drg No 504-Rev A - Existing and Proposed Loft Floor Plan:
Drg No 505-Rev A - Existing and Proposed Roof Plan;
Drg No 506-Rev A - Existing and Proposed South Elevation;
Drg No 507-Rev A - Existing and Proposed North Elevation;
Drg No 508-Rev A - Existing and Proposed East Elevation. and
Drg No 509-Rev A - Existing and Proposed West Elevation
3) a) Prior to their installation, the details of the materials and finishes to be used
for the external surfaces (including fenestration / doors) of the extensions and
alterations hereby approved shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the
local planning authority.
b) Thereafter, the development shall be implemented in accordance with the
materials as approved under this condition.
4) Notwithstanding the details shown on the approved drawings, the rooflights
hereby permitted shall be of a "conservation" type (with central, vertical glazing
bar), set flush in the roof.
5) The flat roofs of the extensions hereby permitted shall at no time be converted to
or be used as a balcony, roof garden or similar amenity or sitting out area.
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