Ground floor semi-detached extension plan dilemma

3 years ago

Hey, we are about to start on a new project and I would love your advice of how best to do plan out a rear&side extension on this fairly standard London semi. I attach the floor-plan and view of the back of the house. Any ideas? Looking for something practical but also interesting :)

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gekko2670
Original Author

3 years ago

Thank you for the replies. I have taken inspiration from a house nearby and really like the idea of a rear extension that opens up the back bedroom into a mezzanine area (which then becomes a home office / gym / laundry room. This requires the side extension to be of a higher height (~1.5 stories high) with a glass roof slanted towards the top of the mezzanine level. Given the back of our property is set down at a lower ground level than the neighbouring property by ~ 1.5 metres they will not be overlooked anymore than a regular 1 story side return.

Do you think Lambeth will give planning for this kind of extension? bearing in mind we want to go back by 3m with a regular rear extension too. So it will essentially be a rear extension and side return (rather than a wraparound).

The link to the photos of the house extension on the next street along that did this are here: https://www.zoopla.co.uk/property-history/8-northstead-road/london/sw2-3jw/18089869

The planning for this was granted back in 2004 so I can't find any docs related to it.

Thanks fro your help!

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Comments (13)

PRO
i-architect
3 years ago
Hi!

There are lots of options for what you can do. It really depends on what you're hoping to achieve.

It looks like you have a lot of outdoor space, that would be really nice to be able to make better use of. The connection you have between inside and outside isn't great though. Without really knowing what you're looking to achieve, my instincts would be to reconfigure the ground floor to make better connection with the garden.

I would also be tempted to completely rearrange the ground floor, changing the uses of each of the rooms and making the smaller service spaces, like the WC, both easier to access and in more discrete locations.

I'd love to help you out with this. I offer an online Home Design Workshop that will help you. It includes a visioning process that I guide you through so you can get really clear about what you want and need. Then together we explore your options in a design session, and I'm sure we could come up with some great solutions for you.

If you're interested it would be great to have a chat so I can find out more about your project and you can ask me any questions about the workshop to check it's right for you. You can book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/iarchitect/20minchat

I hope this helps,

Jane, i-architect.co.uk
gekko2670 thanked i-architect
PRO
HoughtonBudd Architects
3 years ago
A classic London conundrum! How to make a Victorian semi' work for a modern lifestyle. Its possible to tackle the problem in a number of ways which could simply involve making better relationships between the various rooms and moving things around. These types of houses are surprisingly resilient to change and lend themselves well to a more contemporary approach as they usually have good floor to ceiling heights and generous windows. Its possible to add modern materials as well as many London boroughs are keen to support contemporary design which adds character. Its doesn't need to cost a lot to get a great result; good ideas are the key. Looks like a good project to get stuck into!
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PRO
HoughtonBudd Architects
3 years ago
Forgot to ask, which borough is the house in?

Andrew
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PRO
The Kitchen Lady UK
3 years ago
Like above, it really is about what you're looking to achieve from the space. A side extension is commonplace but to keep the light in the centre of the house, there are beautiful examples of keeping the doors or making a large internal window, then having a glass angled roof. Pinterest and All4 (George Clarke) or iPlayer make your home lovely (or something like that) have loads of ideas if you fancy a binge fest
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gekko2670
Original Author
3 years ago
@HoughtonBudd Architects it Is in Lambeth, thank you for your input.
HU-198007405
3 years ago
I would question why you need to extend the back as well as the side?

on a personal level I would extend the side only incorporating roof lights or a glass roof and use the dining room as the new kitchen and the reception room as the dining room. I would relocate the cloakroom either downstairs or turn it 90 degrees and have the whole back wall bi fold doors.

Finally putting a covered outside patio area the whole width as well.

I think the money saved by not extending the back would afford more luxury for what you need.
PRO
Nest Estimating Ltd
3 years ago
Whatever you decide, send us plans and get accurate estimate. https://www.nestestimating.co.uk/
PRO
HoughtonBudd Architects
3 years ago
Just catching up with this as currently seeing a client in County Durham! Lambeth can be supportive if the right approach is taken, we've done a few projects in the borough that needed an approval including a new build modern house for a small developer in Gypsy Hill. Whatever is decided the proximity of the neighbouring house will be a consideration. Happy to talk further of course.

Andrew
PRO
Base 2 Roof Construction
3 years ago
we done a side return extension before down in South east london (pictures in my profile)

been honest i thought on a very beginning it would be to tights for everything they would like to have.

in the end of it i need to say i was wrong and they create a lovely kitchen on one side with two veluxes and nice dining area on the other side and what a big space in the end with all the knock through in the existing area.

they lost quite a bit off of a garden but i would day its worth it.

with these type of houses the best way is always to put the kitchen incl the boiler on one side (boiler to be in the proposed extension area for easy flue installation) and use the side extension as a diner and existing as a living area.
gekko2670
Original Author
3 years ago
and some pictures which are all in the link
gekko2670
Original Author
3 years ago
PRO
HoughtonBudd Architects
3 years ago
As you are not in a conservation area the council may only focus on amenity and scale; whether it affects the neighbours in any way (light or overlooking for example) and if the scale is appropriate;, if they're not concerned with how it might impact your neighbours then it may be a straightforward application. I'd also add that if the house has never had planning permission for any other work then you might be able to use the permitted development route.

Not sure if this was uploaded earlier so sending again; happy to discuss in specific detail as I know the area.

Ground floor semi-detached extension plan dilemma

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