Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Roof extension at 74 Umfreville Road
I've just noticed a huge roof extension going up at the rear of 74 Umfreville Road - instead of the usual dormer window they have removed the whole back half of the roof and are building another storey. From the number of satellite dishes on the house, I assume it's already divided up into flats or bedsits and this is an attempt to squeeze in another one.
Now I thought we were in a conservation area here, where this kind of thing was not allowed, but when I looked up the building application on the Haringey planning site, it said that "permission was not needed"; they were issued with a "certificate of lawfulness" in 2003, to Maqsood properties.
I'd like to know what the legality of all this is, because it completely spoils the look of the roofline, not to mention the business of packing in more occupants. If it's not legal I'm prepared to make a fuss about it with the council, but wondered how to go about this.
Now I thought we were in a conservation area here, where this kind of thing was not allowed, but when I looked up the building application on the Haringey planning site, it said that "permission was not needed"; they were issued with a "certificate of lawfulness" in 2003, to Maqsood properties.
I'd like to know what the legality of all this is, because it completely spoils the look of the roofline, not to mention the business of packing in more occupants. If it's not legal I'm prepared to make a fuss about it with the council, but wondered how to go about this.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Stuart on
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Maddy,
This doesn't sound legal. The certificate of lawfulness will be for existing use, not any additional space/conversion. You can do a loft conversion without getting planning permission provided it is within a certain limited size and provided the house has NOT already been converted into flats. If it has already been converted, there is a BLANKET ban on loft conversions. PLUS Maqsood are notorious for having done an extremely dodgy conversion at 100 Warham Road about which there have been numerous complaints (just search HOL for the threads) and which I think is the subject of a complaint to planning.
You should phone planning straight away and lodge a complaint, plus put it in writing. That will force them to go out and take a look at it to at least see if it's legal. You will also have to phone them weekly to stay on top of it - I once lodged a complaint in writing and got a response 4 months later. It's also worth getting any other Umfreville residents on HOL to all phone planning too. The more complaints, the less they can ignore.
Please do keep us updated.
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I've just looked at the 2003 application online. Regrettably, the drawing they submitted is not there (it would be worth asking for a copy) but the title of the application is "Single Story Rear Extension" which indicates their plan was for an extension out the back (which does not require permission if within a limited space size). What you have described above sounds completely different - i.e. an illegal loft conversion/addition of another storey. So the building application from 2003 is irrelevant. Please do round up your neighbours and get on the case asap. It's also worth keeping a detailed note of Haringey's response (all dates, phone calls etc.).
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Permalink Reply by Karen Alexander on
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I'll get in touch with the relevant department at the council on Monday and ask them to investigate as a matter of urgency.
Cllr Karen Alexander
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