Upwards extension
Building more homes is not the only way to help solve the housing crisis. We have long pushed for policies that allow people to make the most of their existing homes by adding extra space for them and their family, or add an additional home. Allowing more homeowners to extend their properties upwards would give existing homes a new lease of life and make a small but significant contribution to ending the housing crisis.
A key aspect of Britain’s shortage of housing is not just too few homes, but too little space. International comparisons often understate how expensive homes are here because the averagely priced British home is smaller than the average in other countries. Allowing more upwards extensions could enable extra bedrooms for a growing family, a granny flat for in-laws or even extra flats in a subdivided townhouse. Whichever use it’s put to, it means a greater supply of living space in our most expensive cities.
Haringey council successfully instituted a policy of allowing upward extensions in South Tottenham, giving homeowners the ability to build more space for their families without having to move. Uptake was high, more than 200 of the 1,000 homes eligible have already chosen to extend their property.
We are delighted that the Government recognises the opportunity building upwards can have and is planning to strengthen language in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to boost upwards extensions nationally. The most important part of any housing policy is that it can remain popular so it can stand the test of time. To that end we suggest two technical conditions that would ensure upwards extensions have minimal impact on the street and remain popular with the public:
- Extensions should be required to be in keeping with the existing building. The best way to reduce backlash is to ensure the extensions blends in.
- Councils should not require a row of homeowners to do the building work simultaneously as a condition for planning permission for for single storey extensions.