Roof Terrace

Local Council: Lambeth 

Appeal Result: Allowed (Permission Granted) 

Description: Formation of a rear roof terrace over the existing outrigger roof with a replacement door for access (first and second floor flat). 

Refusal Stated: “The proposed roof terrace would introduce opportunity for overlooking and impact on the privacy of neighbouring occupiers, particularly those of Nos 8 and 10, as such the proposal is contrary to the objectives of policy Q2 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2021).”

Background: The council refused the application solely on neighbour amenity, asserting close-range overlooking to adjacent homes and gardens and declining to use a screening condition. At the same time, officers accepted there would be no harm to the host building or wider area, noting the modest, lightweight design below the eaves and the context of similar terraces to the rear. 

On appeal, the Inspector took a more balanced, site-specific approach. They acknowledged existing mutual overlooking from neighbouring roof terraces and upper-floor windows, and found that any additional effect could be satisfactorily mitigated by a privacy-screening condition. Given the rear outlook over a gated private road and limited public visibility, the Inspector concluded that, with screening secured by condition, the proposal would not harm neighbours’ living conditions and therefore complied with Lambeth Local Plan Policy Q2. Permission was granted with conditions requiring matching external finishes and the approval and retention of privacy screening. A great result for the client, who now gains valuable private amenity space in a dense urban setting.