Latest news in the city of Westminster

Latest Planning News – City of Westminster

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Residents of Church Street have voted in favour of regeneration plans that call for the construction of 156 new council houses over three sites in the neighbourhood. In a poll conducted by Westminster City Council, 73% of voters approved the proposals, which also call for the re-provisioning of all 228 existing council dwellings in the area as well as new civic, commercial, and employment prospects. In order to guarantee the delivery of the programme, Westminster City Council may now submit a financial proposal to the Greater London Authority (GLA).

According to The Hampstead and Highgate Express, despite concerns from locals that the property would be poisoned, Westminster City Council has started construction on 21 dwellings on a carpark in Maida Vale. Residents are now irate at WCC for withholding the findings of recent soil tests after the council’s own investigation confirmed the presence of harmful compounds in the earth. Despite objections from neighbours, notably the Naima Jewish Preparatory School in Andover Place, contractor Osborne started drilling on January 4 of this year after the housing project on the Torridon estate was approved by the then-Conservative-led council in 2020. Geoff Barralough, a councillor for Maida Vale ward and the cabinet member for planning, urged an impartial study to ease concerns, although one has not yet been conducted.

A permanent outdoor dining programme on Warwick Way and Churton Street in Pimlico is now the subject of consultation by Westminster City Council. Residents can give their opinions on the suggestions, which include improving lighting, drainage, and cycling facilities, as well as extending footways and planting areas, during the 8-week consultation period that started on December 15th. The Westminster City Council anticipates that the plan will boost the neighbourhood business and revitalise the high street. The Pimlico Neighbourhood Forum (PNF) and the Federation of Pimlico Residents’ Associations have previously endorsed the plan (FREDA). The consultation is scheduled to end on February 9, 2023.

Certificate of Lawfulness

Why Get A Certificate of Lawfulness for A PD?

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Why should I get a Lawful Development Certificate for a Permitted Development Right?

Simply, because you don’t really know if it is, and always going to be, a Permitted Development Right. And most importantly, a Lawful Development Certificate can save you a tremendous amount of money. Let’s show you how in the following cases…

A C3 to C4 is a permitted development right, why get a Lawfulness Certificate?

The change of use from C3 (residential, single dwelling) to C4 (HMO) is a permitted development right, isn’t it?

And until now article 4 (invalidates Permitted Development Rights) takes a year to be approved and activated within an area. A council must put a consultation first and it’s not less than a year when article 4 is in place.

However, have you heard the news? Last month, Merton Council did a completely different thing. Merton Council placed article 4 for the change of use from C3 to C4 on the 17th of November with immediate effect. And to be compliant, they decided to make a consultation but it will be after article 4 comes in. If they get an objection within the next 6 months, they won’t be able to put it through, but if they don’t, article 4 will be active and in place since the date of November 17th and on.

Now, people have already started building and changing use because they have known that article 4 takes a year to come in. But look at the problem they are in now, they put in money to change use from a C3 to C4 but they can’t finish it because article 4 is now and immediately active in this area.

That’s why we always recommend that you get a Lawful Development Certificate before you start doing your work because once you have it, you have it approved forever.

Those owners would have avoided that issue that is happening now if they had a Lawfulness Certificate. See, the change of use from a C3 to a C4 costs 150K pounds for the building works compared to only 1K, the cost of the certificate, which could have guaranteed them peace of mind. People are literally gambling 150K pounds when they can have it secured for only 1k.

Another thing is, if you have a Certificate of Lawfulness, to the bank, it’s now legal.

Case Study:

There was once an incident of a group of people, they had a 6-bedroom HMO that they changed into a 7-bedroom one, which is a Permitted Development Right. The council demanded they put it back to a single dwelling. However, they had a Lawfulness Certificate for the 6-bedroom HMO. The court then said they don’t have to put it back as a single dwelling, but they would have to put it back to a 6-bedroom HMO because that was the last legal use. It would have cost them 150K if they hadn’t had that Certificate of Lawfulness.

A back loft extension is a permitted development right, why get a Lawfulness Certificate?

For a back loft extension, what you have permitted is 40 or 50 cubic meters. Most of the time it’s very difficult to make the calculations right to be on the safe side. At the same time, the small design is an issue. And even if you do it right, the bank will like to have it once you come to remortgage.

So again, you cost yourself so much money, 100k, to build a loft extension, and dismiss to secure it with a 1k Certificate of Lawfulness.

Case Study:

A few weeks ago, a property owner went to build a back loft extension for a new house, they didn’t know that the council had taken away all Permitted Development Rights from that house because it was new. And now they have to break it off. If the council had given them a Certificate of Lawfulness, it wouldn’t have cost them that much money because the council would have had to pay for the costs.

Sam Planning's Entrepreneur

Bio of our Entrepreneur & Director in Ami Magazine

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The Biography of Sam Planning's Entrepreneur & Director, Joel Stern

Business Lunch Break in Ami Magazine: Weekly Insights from Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs

Explore the Story of the successful entrepreneur, Joel Stern, director of Sam Planning through this article by Ami Magazine!

Know his life story, his childhood, and his beginnings in business!

Learn more about his advice for investment and how he chose his own battles.

Know more About Us, our director, our employees, and our history in the business of planning!

Ami Magazine's Article

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New Property Licensing Scheme Areas

New Property Licensing Scheme in Haringey

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Haringey council is introducing a large new Selective Licensing Scheme that comes into force on 17 November 2022.

The new licensing scheme aims to:

– Provide safer and well-managed housing for private renters.

– Ensure landlords take maximum responsibility for maintaining and improving the properties they let.

– Identify and improve properties with the worst efficiency ratings to help reduce fuel poverty.

Who needs to apply for the new property licensing scheme? in which areas?

Any private rented property in the selective licensing zone marker which is let to a single household or two unrelated sharers will need a license.

New Property Licensing Scheme Areas
New Property Licensing Scheme Areas

New licensing fees and early bird discount

The council’s online application was launched on 17 October 2022 and licensing fees for each property is £600.

Those submitting license application by 11:59 on 16 November will benefit from a £250 early bird fee discount. 

Keep informed about Haringey planning permission policies with Sam Planning. 

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When To Make A Planning Appeal?

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When can you make a planning appeal?

When a Local Planning Authority (LPA) makes a decision on your planning application, you can appeal with no fees in some cases: 

• Your application was refused for reasons you think are against the LPA’s planning policy.

• Your application was approved with conditions you think are unnecessary or unreasonable.

• Your application wasn’t given a decision on and 8 weeks have passed since the agreed-upon date.

How long do you have to make an appeal?

You have 6 months to appeal from the date you received – or were supposed to receive – your decision notice. However, in cases of enforcement, you’ll have less than that depending on when you’ve received the enforcement notice;

• Before your application was refused; you have 28 days from the decision letter date.

• After your application was refused; you have either 28 days from the enforcement letter date or 6 months from the decision letter date.

What's after that?

After that, the Planning Inspectorate will check your appeal, make sure it’s valid, take it into consideration, and you’ll be given a date to expect to receive the decision.

Appeal allowed for a property in Haringey

Appeal ground floor plan

The appeal argues that the property hasn’t been divided to flats, as the enforcement notice states, but remains an HMO. Ground floor plan shows the communal kitchen and the site survey did as well. 

Contact us if you want to apply for one or have further questions. We give advice for free.

columbus-traditional-doublehung-white-windows-before

HMO Licensing. Do You Need It?

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What is HMO?

An HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) is when a property is occupied by or rented to 3 or more unrelated households sharing the same amenities. One household can have one individual and their family members or relatives.

Who needs HMO Licensing?

Across England and Wales, getting HMO Licensing is mandatory when households are 5 or more. Smaller HMOs regulations and restrictions vary from one local authority to another. A local authority can as well designate selective licensing areas, streets, or even the whole borough if the area is experiencing low housing demand or antisocial behavior.

Therefore, if you’re willing to lease your property to 3 or more households, you’ll have to consult planning services specialists who know what’s required from your local authority for HMO Licensing.

What do you need for HMO Licensing?

Along with the application, some documents will have to be handed in, such as the Gas Safety Certificate, the Electrical Safety Certificate, and, for sure, a plan of the property.

As a landlord, you’ll have to apply for the HMO License yourself or your property manager can do it on your behalf. Also, note that an HMO License holder has to be a fit and proper person.

Contact us to apply for an HMO License or if you have further queries. We give advice for free.

A 7-Bed HMO License

A property of 7-Bed HMO License
Floor plans for a property of a 7-Bed HMO License
Property in London

Converting House Into Flats

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Does converting a house into flats require planning permission?

Converting a dwelling house into self-contained flats is not a Permitted Development Right and there’s a set of different requirements that have to be met before you’d be able to conduct your development. Requirements may include a minimum flat size, soundproofing, fire safety, or a party wall award. Each Local Authority has its own set of policies and it differs from one neighbourhood to another.

Therefore; yes, converting a house into flats will not only require full planning permission but also some other considerations.

Az online kaszinójátékosok egyedülálló módot találtak arra, hogy a legtöbbet hozzák ki szerencsejáték-nyereményeikből azáltal, hogy házukat nyereséges lakássá alakítják át. Az online szerencsejáték-platformok kényelmének és elérhetőségének köszönhetően sok játékos képes volt jelentős összegeket keresni az olyan kaszinókban, mint a https://kaszinoworld.com/hotslots/, és ahelyett, hogy luxuscikkekre vagy extravagáns nyaralásokra költenének, ezek az okos emberek ingatlanokba fektetnek, és otthonukat több bérbeadó egységgé alakítják. Ez a trend egyre népszerűbb, mivel egyre több online kaszinórajongó ismeri fel a hosszú távú pénzügyi nyereség lehetőségét. Azzal, hogy otthonaikat lakásokká alakítják át, ezek az okos szerencsejátékosok folyamatos passzív jövedelemre tesznek szert, miközben élvezhetik a saját ingatlanban való élet előnyeit. Ez a stratégia nemcsak lehetővé teszi számukra, hogy növeljék vagyonukat, hanem a befektetési portfóliójuk diverzifikálásával biztonságérzetet is nyújt számukra. Az átalakítási folyamat gondos tervezést és stratégiai döntéshozatalt igényel.

Building Regulation

Your next consideration after granted planning permission is a Building Regulation Approval from Building Control, which requires plans as well.

Other Considerations

In some cases, and if your property is listed, a Listed Building Consent will be required and obligatory. It’s your hired architect or firm’s job to make all of that come into alignment.

Converting your house into flats is worthwhile, whether you’re willing to rent them, sell them, or sell one and retain the others. But you’ll have to make sure you go to the right planning firm to do the job properly.

Below are the drawings approved for one of our clients in Southend-on-Sea who wanted to convert their dwelling house into 3 self-contained flats. Contact us for free advice on your case.

Planning Permission Drawings

Gound Floor Plan
Gound Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Loft Floor Plan
Loft Floor Plan
A picture of a basement

Basement Conversion. Is it worth it? and why?

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“I want to expand the living space in my house. Is a basement conversion worth it? why?

Basement conversions can provide many options that vary in the extra space added. For example, if you just want small extra storage that doesn’t require daylight, then you might want to go for a coal cellar basement. It’s best if you only want to save your stuff cool in the dark in a small area.

In case you’re looking for a bit bigger space with daylight to practice a hobby, a garden basement would be your best option. And for daylight, you can add a light well.

 When your goal is even bigger and you want to have an extra one or two rooms, a half conversion would be the answer. A half conversion goes under your property except for its added extensions.

However, what makes this development even more worthwhile is that you can have a whole extra storey under your existing house. This is called a full conversion.

Below you see plans for 3 clients among many who come asking for full basement conversions. They usually request planning for new rooms such as washrooms, laundry, games, gyms, or even bedrooms.

Contact us for your conversion planning permission! Or get free advice on your case!

Basement conversion plan
Basement conversion plan - Property 1
Basement conversion plan
Basement conversion plan - Property 2
Basement conversion plan
Basement conversion plan - Property 3