Greenwich's residential stock is unusually varied for a London borough. The historic core around Greenwich town, with its World Heritage Site protection and conservation areas, rules out airspace work on most central sites. The post-war and 1960s estates across Woolwich, Plumstead, Charlton, and Eltham carry significant mid-rise residential blocks where rooftop schemes are most viable. The regeneration zones at the Greenwich Peninsula and Kidbrooke add newer mid-rise and high-rise development where some airspace work also comes forward. Outer parts of the borough through Blackheath and Mottingham carry Victorian terraces and 1930s semis, where the work shifts to upward extensions.
We specialise in chartered surveying on dense urban sites and are RICS regulated with over 30 years of combined residential extension and rooftop experience. Daylight and sunlight reports typically accompany the planning submission for schemes that add height in the borough's denser areas.
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.
Rooftop additions on the borough's post-war and 1960s residential estates account for most of our Greenwich 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. Day-to-day issues, scaffolding placement, deliveries, parking restrictions, access, and noise, get handled as they arise.
Where airspace work involves a homeowner adding a storey to a smaller property in Blackheath or Mottingham, 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 and the planning route for more complex sites.
Airspace work in Greenwich 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 Greenwich 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, and the named point of contact arrangement does the same for occupant concerns.
Planning sits with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, which reviews airspace proposals on design, height, neighbour amenity, parking, and area character. The Greenwich World Heritage Site, the borough's conservation areas, and the protected views from Greenwich Park add heritage considerations to many central sites. Specialist party wall services usually run alongside the airspace work itself.
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
