Pottersheath Road, Welwyn

This site comprises of a detached dwelling on a large Green Belt site that had already been extended by over 70% from the original dwelling.  The proposed extension gave an increase of over 20% in floorspace and volume but was largely within the footprint of the existing building and incorporated a crown roof design.

DLA submitted a number of applications for certificates of lawfulness and prior approval to maximise the potential extensions that could be built as permitted development. The subsequent planning application for the two-storey rear extension was refused by the council as being a disproportionate addition and for design concerns.

However, the appeal Inspector agreed that the permitted development extensions would result in a more sprawling and disjointed development than that proposed and that this was a material consideration.

The appeal Inspector also agreed that the crown roof would not be readily visible and that the extension proposed would not detract from the character and appearance of the host dwelling and subsequently allowed the appeal!