Airspace Surveyor in Merton
Rooftop Extensions Across Merton
Merton's residential stock divides between three distinct areas. Wimbledon and Wimbledon Village carry Edwardian and Victorian housing alongside mansion blocks, with substantial conservation area protection limiting airspace work on many central sites. Mitcham, Morden, and Pollards Hill carry significant post-war and 1960s estates with mid-rise residential blocks suited to rooftop schemes. Raynes Park, South Wimbledon, Colliers Wood, and Wimbledon Park run heavily to Edwardian terraces and 1930s semis where upward extensions on individual homes come forward. The combination produces a mix of rooftop schemes on residential blocks and homeowner-led upward extensions.
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. Daylight and sunlight reports typically accompany the planning submission given the impact of new height on neighbouring properties.
Airspace Developments
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.
Services Provided
- Make initial contact with existing occupants.
- Attend meetings to discuss any concerns of the existing occupants.
- Recording Schedules of Condition of the flats below the proposed units.
- Act as a liaison between the developer and occupants throughout the project.
- Assist in resolving any issues that may arise such as car parking, site setup etc.
Where do we focus on airspace work in Merton?
Rooftop additions to the post-war and 1960s estates around Mitcham, Morden, and Pollards Hill, alongside mansion block schemes in Wimbledon, account for most of our Merton rooftop work. 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.
On homeowner-led upward extensions across Raynes Park, South Wimbledon, Colliers Wood, and the borough's terraced areas, the focus shifts to the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, neighbour relations, and protection of the existing structure during construction. Airspace development advice covers feasibility on the more complex schemes.
Airspace work in Merton 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
Why does occupant liaison matter on a Merton airspace project?
Residents below an airspace development carry the most direct impact of the work: noise during working hours, disruption to access and parking, scaffolding obscuring windows, and concern about damage to their flats. Without a named surveyor handling that relationship through construction, those concerns escalate into complaints and claims that slip the programme and add cost.
Strong liaison and a thorough Schedule of Condition deal with most of this before it starts. Residents get one named contact, the developer gets a structured process for concerns raised, and the Schedule provides documented evidence if a damage claim arises later. Planning sits with the London Borough of Merton, and a free initial assessment covers feasibility and the supporting workstreams on a specific site.
Case Studies
FAQ
Do you handle airspace developments in Merton?
What is an airspace development?
Do airspace developments need planning permission?
What types of airspace projects suit buildings in Merton?
Do airspace developments affect existing rights of light?
Contact Us
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