Challenge
Converting a large eight-bedroom Victorian house in a conservation area into five high-quality flats, while addressing council concerns about traffic, bins, outdoor space, and maintaining the character of the area.
Approach
We designed a wraparound extension on the ground floor and a dormer loft extension to create five spacious flats without making the house look bulky or overwhelming. One ground-floor flat included a private garden, while the others shared a large communal garden with an eleven-bike storage unit, adhering to the London Plan requirements.
Solution
The project resulted in two two-bedroom flats, two one-bedroom flats, and one studio flat, adding valuable housing options to the borough while preserving the Victorian street's character. Despite delays in council decision-making, a non-determination appeal was submitted, and the planning inspector ruled in our favour, granting permission for the five flats. This successful transformation demonstrates how careful design and persistence can adapt historical buildings for modern living.