Replacement of existing door at first floor level with timber sash window

Appeal Decision Site visit made on 21 April 2026 by Lucy Cuthbertson BSc Decision by T Law BSc MSc MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State Decision date: 24 September 2026 Appeal Ref: 6005929 76 Elmbourne Road, Wandsworth, London SW17 8JJ • 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 Mark Hue Williams against the decision of the Council of the London Borough of Wandsworth. • The application Ref is 2025/4004. • The development proposed is Replacement of existing door at first floor level with timber sash window. Decision 1. The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for replacement of existing door at first floor level with timber sash window. at 76 Elmbourne Road, Wandsworth, London, SW17 8JJ in accordance with the terms of the application, Ref 2025/4004, subject to the following conditions: 1) The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with drawings ‘Location Plan’, ‘Proposed Front Elevation’, ‘Proposed Section AA’ and ‘Proposed 1st Floor Layout’. 2) The development hereby permitted shall begin not later than three years from the date of this decision. 3) All external materials used in the construction of the development hereby approved shall match the type, texture, tone, colour, size and profile of those used on the existing building and shall be retained permanently. Appeal Procedure 2. The site visit was undertaken by a representative of the Inspector whose recommendation is set out below and to which the Inspector has had regard before deciding the appeal. Main Issue 3. The main issue is the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the host dwelling and on the preservation of the Heaver Estate Conservation Area. Reasons for the Recommendation 4. The appeal property at 76 Elmbourne Road is a two-storey mid-terrace dwelling forming part of the Heaver Estate Conservation Area, a designated heritage asset of special architectural and historic interest. The conservation area is characterised by late Victorian terraced housing designed by Alfred Heaver, with a strong sense of uniformity derived from consistent plot widths, red brick elevations, decorative detailing and cast iron balconies. Collectively, these elements create a cohesive Appeal Decision 6005929 2 townscape that makes a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area, particularly in prominent streets such as Elmbourne Road which faces Tooting Common. 5. Elmbourne Road displays a strong rhythm of repeated architectural elements, including balconies with a mix of original sash windows and glazed doors. Whilst the conservation area identifies the retention of original features as important, the street scene is not wholly uniform in this regard. It is evident that a number of properties along Elmbourne Road have experienced alterations over time, including the replacement of first-floor balcony doors with sash windows of varying designs. 6. The proposal seeks to replace an existing first-floor balcony door on the front elevation with a vertically sliding timber sash window, with a glazing bar design to match the adjacent original sash windows serving the same balcony. Although the proposal represents a departure from the original form of the building, it sits within a row of similar openings at first-floor level, is partially screened by the balcony balustrade, and is viewed at some distance from the public realm. The visual difference between the existing door and the proposed window would be subtle, particularly as the upper sections of both elements are effectively identical in appearance. 7. In the context of a street where a range of similar alterations are already evident, the proposal would not appear visually discordant, nor would it materially disrupt the established rhythm of the terrace. Importantly, the key characteristics which define the significance of the conservation area – the terrace form, scale, materials, balconies and overall architectural composition – would remain intact and readily appreciable. The variation introduced would be consistent with changes already present along Elmbourne Road and would not undermine the overall coherence or significance of the Heaver Estate Conservation Area 8. The proposal would not harm the character and appearance of the host dwelling and would preserve the conservation area. It would therefore comply with Policy HC1 of the London Plan (2021), policies LP1, LP3 and LP5 of the Wandsworth Local Plan (2023), the Wandsworth Housing SPD (2016), and the Heaver Estate Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy (2010). Conditions 9. I have considered the advice contained within the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) relating to conditions. A condition regarding the time for commencement and plans condition are necessary in the interest of certainty. A condition regarding matching materials is necessary in the interest of the character and appearance of the area. Conclusion and Recommendation 10. For the reasons given above and having had regard to all other matters raised, I recommend that the appeal should be allowed. Lucy Cuthbertson APPEAL PLANNING OFFICER Appeal Decision 6005929 3 Inspector’s Decision 11. I have considered all the submitted evidence and my representative’s report and on that basis the appeal is allowed. T Law INSPECTOR