Harlow's new town origins produced a residential stock unlike most Essex towns. The 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s development across The High, The Stow, Bush Fair, and the surrounding neighbourhoods produced a large volume of low-rise and mid-rise flats with flat roofs and structural reserves. Many of these blocks are now coming forward for rooftop airspace schemes where the structure can support an additional storey. The town also has plenty of single-storey homes and bungalows across Old Harlow and the outer estates where homeowners are raising the roof or adding side-and-up extensions.
Our Essex team covers Harlow alongside Epping, Loughton, and the wider west Essex area. The practice is RICS regulated, and daylight and sunlight reports typically accompany the planning submission to Harlow District Council.
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 scope splits by building type. On a homeowner upward extension or bungalow conversion, the focus is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, rights of light risk on adjoining homes, and protection of the existing structure during construction. Notices are served on every adjoining owner where a party wall is involved before work can start.
On the larger rooftop schemes across Harlow'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. Practical site issues, scaffolding, deliveries, parking, access, get handled as they come up alongside party wall services on the building itself.
Airspace work in Harlow 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 scheme finishes on programme with no damage claims, no late objections from neighbours, and existing residents who feel they were listened to throughout. The Schedule of Condition is the single most useful protection, removing most of the argument that comes up after construction ends.
Planning routes vary. Some upward extensions on houses in Harlow fall within permitted development, while larger rooftop schemes need a full application to Harlow District Council. Rights of light is a separate common law matter from planning, and rights of light assessments are often the workstream that catches surrounding owners' attention. A free initial assessment covers feasibility and the supporting workstreams 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
