Tower Hamlets Council has produced new draft guidance on mansard roof extensions and, as part of this, some guidelines specifically for properties in the Fairfield Conservation Area.  After consultation and any amendments, the new guidance will probably be in place in early 2016.

The guidance contains information on the most relevant planning policies that the council must consider when making planning application decisions; the character of historic roofs in Tower Hamlets; the elements of mansard roofs and best practice advice on how you should approach the design of a new mansard roof in a conservation area; and finally, the document includes some helpful tips for you to refer to when making a planning application for a new mansard roof in a conservation area.

A draft addendum specifically about the Fairfield Conservation Area contains a map of all the existing roof and ground-floor current extensions and recommendations for the  area, including a list of the properties where a roof extension/alterations might be considered acceptable, subject to a detailed planning application. Not all properties make that list. It also doesn’t mean the planners will approve a full mansard roof: they may still insist on dormer extensions, which is what most  existing roof extensions in Wrexham/Ridgedale are.

These new guidance documents are subject to consultation until 18 January 2016.  The documents are available on the council‟s website at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk: (Home >Environment & planning>Planning>Planning guidance>Consultation and engagement). Paper copies are also available in the planning reception at the council’s  Mulberry Place offices. Comments can be sent to placeshaping@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Or you can write to: The Place Shaping Team, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Mulberry Place, PO Box 55739, 5 Clove Crescent, E14 2BY. The deadline for comments is  5pm on 18 January 2016. If you have any questions regarding the proposals you can call the planning hotline on 020 7364 5009.