Planning permission for a basement conversion in London has been
refused because the work would damage a Japanese maple and evergreen
magnolia tree in the garden. Banker James Hambro, 66, had intended to
connect his terraced home in Chelsea to a mews property behind it, but
the risk to the trees was considered a significant factor by the council
in its decision to refuse the request, the Daily
Mail reports. Looking at the plans submitted, the proposed basement
would run three feet below the existing garden, which would mean that
the larger trees would not have enough room to flourish and grow. If
completed, the basement
renovation work would cost over £2 million but add more to the
value of both houses, meaning that Mr Hambro’s property could have
been worth a minimum of £13 million. Graham Stallwood, Royal Borough of
Kensington and Chelsea Council’s executive director of planning, was
quoted by the news source as saying: “The application fails to
demonstrate that the proposed works would safeguard the structural
stability of the host or surrounding properties, contrary to policies
CE2, CL7 of the Consolidated Local Plan. The CE2 policy states that the
council should resist vulnerable developments, including self-contained
basement dwellings in places at risk of flooding.� When looking into
your own basement conversion project, these are factors you will need to
consider if you want your application to be successful. If you’d like
to find out more about basement conversions in London, or have any
specific questions regarding planning consents, get in touch with us
here at The Oxford & London Building Company.
