Saffron Walden's medieval and Georgian core covers much of the town centre and sits within a designated conservation area, which rules out most airspace work on those historic buildings. The airspace projects in the town concentrate on the outer estates and the post-war housing across the western and southern parts of town, plus the newer estates built since the 1990s. Bungalow-to-two-storey conversions and side-and-up extensions on semis are the most common project types, with a smaller volume of rooftop schemes on the few modern blocks of flats away from the protected core. Our Essex team covers Saffron Walden alongside Newport, Thaxted, and the wider Uttlesford District.
The practice is RICS regulated and our surveyors carry over 30 years of combined experience. Daylight and sunlight reports typically accompany the planning submission to Uttlesford District Council, particularly for any scheme close to a conservation area boundary.
As well as providing daylight, sunlight and rights of light advice, our role would be to make contact with the occupants of the existing building to establish any concerns regarding the development. We will work closely with the professional team to identify the initial questions and look at how these can be addressed.
It is our experience that maintaining the same point of contact for the duration of the project offers the existing occupants’ reassurance and continuity.
Conservation area constraints aside, our airspace work in Saffron Walden splits between two project types. For a homeowner upward extension or bungalow conversion on the outer estates, the focus is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, rights of light risk on adjoining homes, and protection of the existing structure during construction. Notices are served on every adjoining owner where a party wall is involved.
Where a developer is adding flats above an existing residential block, the role widens to full occupant liaison. We make initial contact with each leaseholder, hold attended meetings to discuss concerns, prepare Schedules of Condition for the flats directly below the new units, and act as the named point of contact through construction. Practical issues, scaffolding, deliveries, parking, access, get resolved as they arise alongside party wall services on the building itself.
Airspace work in Saffron Walden typically sits alongside daylight and sunlight, rights of light, and party wall workstreams on the same scheme. The same surveyor stays on the project from instruction to completion.
Over the past four years, CHP have worked very successfully with us in their capacity as party wall surveyors. Through his calm, sensible approach and excellent communication skills James Crowley, in particular, gained the trust and confidence of the entire team and stakeholders. Looking forward to working with CHP again.”
- Clare Goggin, Jackson Coles
Uttlesford District Council reviews airspace applications against design, height, daylight and sunlight impact on neighbouring residential windows, parking, and the character of the surrounding area. The Saffron Walden conservation area, the surrounding listed buildings, and the protected views from the historic core rule out airspace work on many town-centre sites entirely. Schemes on the outer estates tend to face fewer constraints.
Some upward extensions on detached and semi-detached houses can proceed under permitted development with prior approval. Rooftop additions to blocks of flats almost always need a full planning application. Right of light is a separate common law matter from planning, and airspace development advice covers feasibility and the most likely planning route before a submission is prepared.
Get in touch.
Head Office
2-6 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
Essex Office
2-6 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
020 3714 4090
Get in touch.
Head Office
2-6 Boundary Row
London, SE1 8HP
Essex Office
2nd Floor, 10 High Street
Wickford, Essex
SS12 9AZ
020 3714 4090
enquiries@chpsurveyors.com
