Larger plots than most Essex towns shape Epping's residential mix, with detached and semi-detached homes dominating the streets off Bury Lane and the High Street, bungalows scattered through Coopersale Common and the outer estates, and pockets of older Edwardian properties closer to the centre. Upward extensions and bungalow-to-two-storey conversions are the most common airspace projects here, followed by side-and-up extensions on semis. A small number of rooftop schemes come forward on the older blocks of flats near the station and the town centre. Our Essex team covers Epping alongside Loughton, Waltham Abbey, and the wider Epping Forest District.
The practice is RICS regulated and our surveyors carry over 30 years of combined residential extension and rooftop experience. Daylight and sunlight reports typically accompany the planning submission to Epping Forest District Council, given the town's tighter plot density in some streets.
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.
Most airspace work in Epping arrives in one of two forms. The first is a homeowner raising a bungalow or adding a storey to a semi in Coopersale or Theydon Bois, where the focus is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, rights of light risk on adjoining homes, and protection of the existing structure during construction. Party wall notices are served on every adjoining owner where a shared wall is involved.
The second is a developer 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 talk through plans, prepare Schedules of Condition for the flats directly below the new units, and act as the named point of contact through the build. Practical issues, scaffolding, deliveries, parking, access, get resolved as they arise, with party wall services running on the building itself.
Airspace work in Epping 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
Most risk on an airspace project sits in two places: damage to the building or flats below during construction, and disputes with existing occupants or adjoining owners. A thorough Schedule of Condition removes the first by documenting the building's state before work begins. A named point of contact and structured occupant liaison removes most of the second.
Planning sits with Epping Forest District Council, and the route through the planning system depends on house type, height, and surrounding context. Some upward extensions fall within permitted development; larger schemes need a full application. Rights of light is a separate common law matter, and rights of light assessments often catch surrounding owners' attention before they raise objections through planning. A free initial assessment sets out the likely route for a given 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
