Early Engagement Strategy Secures Positive Outcome for Camden Extension

Our strategy of early engagement proved the point of difference on this private residential development in Camden, enabling our client, Yian Stavrou, to secure permission for a mansard extension.

Before our appointment, the site on Bayham Street had been through a pre-application discussion, resulting in a negative response. Our approach was to re-engage with a new project team and a more traditional mansard design, which was met with strong support and gave us the confidence to proceed with a full planning application.

“Having researched the site’s planning history, we were aware that its location within the Camden Town Conservation Area meant any new construction had to follow strict heritage guidelines and this had been the primary reason for the previous negative feedback,” explains our planner, Max Shadforth.

“To address this, we immediately engaged a heritage consultant and architect to collaborate on a new pre-application process. This established that a mansard extension would best accommodate the additional floorspace while ensuring the scale and massing responded sympathetically to the surrounding terrace.

“Taking this approach meant Camden Council raised no concerns during the application process and permission was granted. Our client will now proceed with adding an additional bedroom and shower room to the building’s upper maisonette, alongside replacing the rear windows with sash windows, to remain in keeping with the existing street scene.

“The lesson here is that a difficult planning history doesn’t have to mean a dead end. The earlier the right expertise is sought, the more options there are to find a route to consent,” adds Max.

For advice on similar sites, contact our team on info@hpduk.com