Winchester is dominated by historic streetscapes and a designated conservation area covering much of the city centre, which rules out airspace work on the cathedral close, the High Street, and most of the surrounding medieval and Georgian core. Airspace projects in the city concentrate on the outer suburbs, the post-war and modern developments across Stanmore and Badger Farm, and the larger plots toward Olivers Battery and Twyford. Bungalow conversions and upward extensions on detached and semi-detached homes are the main project types here, with side-and-up extensions on semis adding the rest. Our Hampshire team covers Winchester alongside Eastleigh, Alresford, and the wider Winchester district.
We have an established Hampshire presence with experience on south coast residential schemes. The practice is RICS regulated, and rights of light assessments often accompany schemes that add height in the tighter parts of the outer suburbs.
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.
Conservation considerations aside, our airspace work in Winchester splits between two project types. For a homeowner-led upward extension or bungalow conversion in the outer suburbs, 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.
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 issues, scaffolding, deliveries, parking, access, get resolved as they arise, with daylight and sunlight reports typically forming part of the planning submission.
Airspace work in Winchester 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
Winchester City Council operates one of the more conservation-driven planning regimes on the south coast. The Winchester conservation area, the cathedral setting, listed buildings throughout the central core, and protected views from St Catherine's Hill and St Giles' Hill rule out airspace work on most central sites entirely. Schemes on the outer suburbs and the modern parts of the district face standard amenity, design, and neighbour impact considerations.
Some upward extensions on detached and semi-detached houses can proceed under permitted development with a prior approval application. Rooftop additions to blocks of flats almost always need a full planning application. Right of light claims sit outside the planning process. A free initial assessment covers feasibility and the most likely planning 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
