Loft conversion in a conservation area
After deciding to refurbish her flat and create additional space through a loft conversion, our client firstly had to ensure that the plans would meet with Westminster councils guidelines as the property was situated in a conservation area. Being a character property, our clients were also keen that the building works would be in keeping with the rest of the home and surrounding area.
Having instructed Maggie Toy Architectural Design to apply for planning permission, drawings were completed and submitted to the council for approval. Once approved we were able to commence the 12 week refurbishment.
The property had a butterfly roof which is very common for a London Victorian terraced house to have a roof like this (it’s also called a London roof). This roof type has an inverted pitch, so it’s highest at the neighbouring walls and the gutter runs along the centre. A mansard extension lends itself best to butterfly roofs, where essentially the existing roof is demolished and a new box (sloping at the front and rear) is added on top – partially hidden by the existing front wall. This is arguably the most complex and costly extension of the four types of loft extension, as you can’t retain much of the existing roof at all. On the plus side, it often results in the most generous footprint, and allows for ‘proper’ vertical windows instead of skylights.
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