Fear being overlooked on Brookwood Road
The front of the property on Brookwood Road
February 16, 2023
Southfields neighbours are at odds with each other over the use of a flat roof, with one applying for planning permission to create a roof terrace complete with glass surrounding screens.
Jehanne Erpelding has asked Wandsworth Council for the go-ahead to replace a window with a door to make an access for a roof terrace alongside her flat in Brookwood Road.
But ground floor flat neighbour Frederique Brisset has objected to the scheme, stating she owns the flat roof and it is not “not structurally reinforced to be used for walking, sitting, smoking or any activity”.
Mrs Erpelding’s planning application details the replacement of a rear window in her flat to create access to the roof, with a terrace to be surrounded by 1.7m high obscure glass screens at the sides and a 1.1m high screen at the back.
But Ms Brisset says she has “strong objections” to the scheme. She stated, “There are no second storey flat roof conversions in the area that resemble the proposed, where the flat roof extension is converted into a terrace, and it would border directly with the neighbouring extensions and come to the edge of the first floor below.
“All the top floor loft conversions are set back from the first-floor levels (tiered) to preserve privacy. This proposal will also set a precedent and create another bulk overdevelopment.”
She adds that she feels the 1.1m glass screen would be too low, and she would be overlooked into her garden and her flat’s skylights.
Plans approved in 2017 for a loft extension to the first floor flat specifically removed access to the flat roof and that part of the application was replaced with the installation of French doors and safety railings.
Philip Freiensener, who lives in the neighbouring house in the terrace, has also objected to the scheme. In his letter to council planners, he stated the formation of a roof terrace would “pose a gross loss of our privacy”.
Drawings of the proposed terrace from the planning application
He added, “The proposed terrace would be immediately next to our bathroom/bedroom window. We consider the flat roof areas which lie directly beyond our adjoining extensions to be completely unsuitable for use as an open-air social space.
“This terrace may be used at any time; there could be conversation, music, dining and extra lighting added. This is likely to have a significantly negative impact on the peace and privacy one would expect to be able to enjoy at second-storey level where rooms within the roof extensions in this area are used predominantly as bedrooms.
“The terrace as proposed will also increase the risk of fire at second- floor level. It would be a small and contained space where cigarettes, candles, lanterns, a bbq, chiminea or fire basket could easily cause a new fire hazard for neighbours. Such activities at roof level are completely unacceptable.”
Wandsworth Council is inviting other comments on the plans before it makes its decision.
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