Basingstoke's expansion as a London overspill town from the 1960s onward left it with a residential stock that is unusually well suited to airspace work. Large numbers of low-rise and mid-rise flats with flat roofs and structural reserves were built across the town centre and the surrounding estates through Brighton Hill, Hatch Warren, Lychpit, and South Ham. Many of these blocks are now coming forward for rooftop airspace schemes. The wider suburbs and outer villages also produce upward extensions on detached and semi-detached homes and bungalow conversions. Our Hampshire team covers Basingstoke alongside Old Basing, Oakley, and the wider Basingstoke and Deane area.
The practice has an established Hampshire presence and is RICS regulated, with surveyors carrying over 30 years of combined residential extension and rooftop experience. Schemes typically need airspace development advice on feasibility, structural capacity, and the planning route before an application is prepared.
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.
Project type drives the scope. On a homeowner-led upward extension or bungalow conversion in the outer villages or older suburbs, the focus is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, rights of light risk on adjoining properties, and protection of the existing structure during construction. Party wall notices are served on every adjoining owner where a shared wall is involved.
On the larger rooftop schemes across Basingstoke's post-war residential blocks, the existing occupants liaison role becomes the central piece. We make initial contact with each leaseholder below the proposed units, attend meetings to discuss concerns, prepare Schedules of Condition for the flats directly below, and act as the named point of contact through construction. Day-to-day issues, scaffolding, deliveries, parking, access, get handled as they arise, with party wall services running on the building itself.
Airspace work in Basingstoke 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 handover.
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
A well-run airspace project in Basingstoke finishes on programme, with no damage claims from the residents below, no late objections from neighbours, and existing occupants who feel they were listened to throughout. The Schedule of Condition is the single most useful protection because it removes most of the damage argument before it starts.
Planning sits with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, which reviews airspace proposals on design, height, neighbour amenity, parking, and area character. Some upward extensions fall within permitted development with prior approval, while larger rooftop schemes need a full application. Daylight and sunlight reports usually form part of the submission for schemes that add meaningful height. A free initial assessment covers the likely route for a specific site.
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
