Between the historic abbey site and the modern outer estates, Waltham Abbey carries a residential mix that runs from older period properties around the market town centre through to post-war and 1980s housing across the wider area. The most common airspace project type here is a bungalow conversion or single-storey home raised to two storeys, followed by side-and-up extensions on semis. A small number of rooftop schemes come forward on the older 1960s flats near the High Bridge area. Our Essex team covers Waltham Abbey alongside Loughton, Epping, and the wider Epping Forest District.
The practice is RICS regulated and our surveyors carry over 30 years of combined experience. Daylight and sunlight reports typically accompany the planning submission to Epping Forest District Council, particularly for schemes near the conservation areas around the abbey.
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 a homeowner-led upward extension or bungalow conversion across the outer estates, the focus is the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 procedure, 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 before work can start.
Where a developer is 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 discuss concerns, prepare Schedules of Condition for the flats directly below the new units, and act as the named point of contact through construction. Practical site issues, scaffolding, deliveries, parking, access, get resolved as they arise, with airspace development advice covering the wider planning and feasibility picture.
Airspace work in Waltham Abbey 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
Strong outcomes from an airspace project look the same wherever the site sits: the build finishes on programme, no damage claims appear from the residents below, and there are no late objections from neighbours. The combination of a thorough Schedule of Condition and a named point of contact removes most of the friction before it builds up.
Planning sits with Epping Forest District Council, which reviews airspace proposals on design, height, neighbour amenity, parking, and area character. Some upward extensions in Waltham Abbey fall within permitted development with prior approval, while larger rooftop schemes need a full planning application. Party wall services usually run alongside the airspace work itself. A free initial assessment covers 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
