Waltham Forest's residential stock divides between the inner parts of the borough through Walthamstow, Leyton, and Leytonstone, where Victorian and Edwardian terraces dominate alongside pockets of post-war and 1960s estate development, and the outer parts through Chingford and Highams Park, where 1930s semis and Edwardian housing extend into a more suburban character. Most of our Waltham Forest work covers two types: rooftop additions on the post-war estates across Leyton and Leytonstone, and upward extensions on terraced and semi-detached homes through the wider borough.
We specialise in chartered surveying on dense urban sites where rooftop and upward extension schemes are most common. The practice is RICS regulated with over 30 years of combined residential extension and rooftop experience. Party wall services are nearly always involved given the borough's dense building pattern and prevalence of shared structures.
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.
On rooftop additions to Waltham Forest's post-war estates across Leyton and Leytonstone, the existing occupants liaison role is central. 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 the new units, and act as the named point of contact through construction. Day-to-day issues, scaffolding placement, deliveries, parking restrictions, access, get handled as they arise.
On homeowner-led upward extensions across the borough's terraced and semi-detached streets, the focus shifts to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, neighbour relations, and protection of the existing structure during construction. Rights of light assessments are common given the tight plot density and impact of new height on neighbouring residential windows.
Airspace work in Waltham Forest 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 Waltham Forest finishes on programme with no damage claims from the residents below, no late objections from neighbours, and existing occupants who feel they were kept informed throughout the build. The Schedule of Condition is the single most useful protection because it removes most of the damage argument before it starts.
Planning sits with the London Borough of Waltham Forest, which reviews airspace proposals on design, height, neighbour amenity, parking, and area character. The borough's conservation areas across Walthamstow Village and parts of Leyton bring additional heritage considerations into play. A free initial assessment covers feasibility and the most likely planning route on a given site before any application 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
