Following consultation by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on a proposal to enable London to ‘build up’ (allowing for roof-top extensions), the Government has subsequently announced it is planning to relax the planning rules. Box Architects wholeheartedly welcome this plan.
Making the announcement, Sajid Javid MP, the Secretary of State, said: “The answer to building new homes isn’t always an empty plot, or developing on a derelict site. That’s why we are looking to strengthen planning rules to encourage developers to look at opportunities to build upwards where possible when delivering the homes the country needs.”
At Box, we see this as a great opportunity and we already have success stories delivering roof-top extensions. Park Row and Zicon House in Leeds are examples of where Box worked upwards to deliver commercial value for our clients. Other London based projects are in the pipeline and this change in the rules, when implemented, will facilitate these projects and allow them to progress more quickly.
In the case of Zicon House, we completed an extensive refurbishment along with a two-storey roof-top extension. For Park Row, Box created new office spaces by extending each of the floor-plates, adding antilevered extensions and converting the roof-top plant room to new office accommodation.
Graham Place, CEO Box Architects and Chair of Leeds Interact Group, said: “Enabling London and other cities to ‘build up’ more easily will reduce the pressure to ‘build out’ and provide much-needed homes and offices. From a sustainability perspective it’s also good news for the Green Belt and resources.”