0:00:03 > 0:00:07Across the country, behind closed doors, we British are building.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11We're building up, down and out to improve our homes.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14In my mind I feel like it's going to be amazing.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17But before we build, we need permission.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Permission from the planners. A bunch of people dedicated to
0:00:20 > 0:00:23protecting our public spaces and neighbourhoods.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27I think in its present state it possibly isn't quite acceptable.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29So, if you've ever wanted a bigger kitchen,
0:00:29 > 0:00:33an extra bedroom or an en suite bathroom, stand by.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34It's time to...
0:00:42 > 0:00:46We British are extremely proud of our homes - they define us,
0:00:46 > 0:00:50they reveal our tastes, they represent our achievements.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54In fact, over our lifetimes we spend, on average, 60 grand
0:00:54 > 0:00:56doing up our properties.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00It's very rare that we buy a new home and feel everything is perfect.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03There are always alterations we want to make to mould our properties,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07and planners see all sorts of applications for changes big
0:01:07 > 0:01:10and small. But it's often the personal added extras
0:01:10 > 0:01:12that create the biggest problems.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Extensions or additions to the front of properties are very often
0:01:16 > 0:01:19not allowed because of the impact on the street.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22It's not just, "Oh, we'll just stick this box on the front of this house."
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Sometimes what they want isn't acceptable.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29So today it's all about the added extras. What happens
0:01:29 > 0:01:31when you want to do something special
0:01:31 > 0:01:33that makes your property stand out from the crowd?
0:01:35 > 0:01:36The planners will meet...
0:01:36 > 0:01:40a family who want a teenage den and a Juliet balcony.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42If we're turned down for the planning consent,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45it certainly won't end up what we want it to be.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47This is what you can see from the street,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50so there is a slight concern about being able to see that.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55And a man who's decided he wants a large conservatory in his garden.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58We thought we'd take it to the next level and really put our stamp on it.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00We'll have to see how the application goes and see
0:02:00 > 0:02:04if this neighbour has any comments to make.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Will our homeowners get planning permission
0:02:06 > 0:02:08to add the quirky extras they want?
0:02:08 > 0:02:11And how much will their bespoke changes add to the value
0:02:11 > 0:02:12of their properties?
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Across the land, we love interesting homes.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24We've produced some of the world's greatest architects,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and we've had some of the most innovative new-build ideas.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Nowadays, we watch TV programmes about people who design
0:02:30 > 0:02:34houses from scratch, and even if we can't go that far
0:02:34 > 0:02:37we still want to stamp our personalities on our properties.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40Modern society has changed.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43With normal property, say a normal Victorian property,
0:02:43 > 0:02:48we don't want everything to look the same as the property used to.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51You know, times are changing.
0:02:55 > 0:02:56This is St Helen's,
0:02:56 > 0:03:01a well-established neighbourhood situated at the top of Hastings.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Many of the houses here were built just after the Second World War,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06but there are older Victorian properties,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10and there's a vast range of architectural styles.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12St Helen's is one of the most affluent areas of the town
0:03:12 > 0:03:15with a large number of privately owned houses.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Prices fluctuate from street to street,
0:03:17 > 0:03:23but premium properties on St Helen's Down sell for £260,000.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26That's 90 grand more than the area average.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Hastings Council acknowledge that with such a range of styles,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33maintaining a coherent character here is difficult.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36But that doesn't mean anything goes. The man who keeps development
0:03:36 > 0:03:39under control is planning officer Calum Rowley.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44With this application they want to put a front extension,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47a two-storey extension here.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50So they've got an existing porch at the front of the property
0:03:50 > 0:03:52and they're going to demolish that
0:03:52 > 0:03:54and build a new front extension.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58The main concerns are always about overlooking,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01especially from these two windows at the top here.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05When a front two-storey extension sort of application comes in
0:04:05 > 0:04:07the immediate impact
0:04:07 > 0:04:10is on their neighbouring amenities and overlooking so the effect
0:04:10 > 0:04:15on their privacy which we try and avoid at all costs, really.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18I saw the property on the internet, asked my wife to come
0:04:18 > 0:04:20and have a look.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21She came and said,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24"Well, if you want to put in an offer..." thinking all the time that
0:04:24 > 0:04:28we were never going to end up owning the property and the rest is...
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Here we are! It's a very well-established area.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33I mean, this house has been here since 1931.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36And there's a lot of people who have lived in the road,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38have done so most of their life.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Richard Brett and his family recently bought this three-bed
0:04:43 > 0:04:47detached property in St Helen's, after moving from nearby Ore.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50They love the area and the house, but there are a few changes
0:04:50 > 0:04:53they want to make to tailor the house to their needs.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57We paid 249 for the house.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01With regard to how much the work will cost,
0:05:01 > 0:05:03it's a little bit difficult to put a figure on it.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06We've got a budget of about 20 to 25,000.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Optimistic that we'll add somewhere in the region of
0:05:09 > 0:05:12maybe 40 to 50,000 value to the property.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17The Bretts plan to totally renovate their property,
0:05:17 > 0:05:18adding a two-storey extension,
0:05:18 > 0:05:23and an additional feature - a Juliet balcony to the front of the house.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28So, we'll bring this window will come forward to approximately
0:05:28 > 0:05:32this fence and it'll go across to the other side of the porch.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Richard also wants to build a wooden cabin in the front garden to
0:05:38 > 0:05:42give his teenage son and daughter a space to go with their friends.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46These self-contained, self-assemble units are increasingly popular,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49but putting one in this street may look out of place.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53The garden building is going just to the other side of the bush
0:05:53 > 0:05:57there and will stand between the garage and the bush.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01Be a nice big space for them to enjoy with their friends
0:06:01 > 0:06:05and get up to whatever teenagers get up to in garden buildings.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Upstairs we'll have a fourth bedroom over the porch
0:06:11 > 0:06:16and our bedroom, the master bedroom, will be extended out
0:06:16 > 0:06:20with a nice set of double doors on the front with a Juliet balcony
0:06:20 > 0:06:23so that we can enjoy the south-facing views in the summer
0:06:23 > 0:06:27when the sun comes up nice and early in the morning. You can open
0:06:27 > 0:06:30the windows wide, bit of fresh air, nothing better!
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Juliet balconies have become very fashionable.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37They're named after Shakespeare's tragic heroine Juliet
0:06:37 > 0:06:40who is courted by Romeo while she's on her balcony.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43The funny thing is the play only actually mentions a window,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47but over the years theatre directors have enjoyed some artistic license.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Juliet balconies don't protrude out of the building, they usually
0:06:52 > 0:06:57open as double doors with a glass or metal barrier placed in front.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00With a Juliet balcony we normally only... They're normally
0:07:00 > 0:07:04on the rear elevation so on this there might be an extra degree of
0:07:04 > 0:07:09overlooking so I'm going to discuss the amendment on site with the
0:07:09 > 0:07:13applicant and take the photos that are necessary and then I can decide
0:07:13 > 0:07:17whether this sort of amendment would be acceptable or not.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20If we're turned down for the planning consent
0:07:20 > 0:07:22then we'd be a bit disappointed.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25It wouldn't ruin the house but it certainly won't end up
0:07:25 > 0:07:27what we want it to be.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29The Bretts' desire for a Juliet balcony
0:07:29 > 0:07:34and a self-contained kids unit may be design features too far.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35It'll all depend on what Calum thinks
0:07:35 > 0:07:38when he makes his crucial site inspection.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43When you buy a house in an extremely desirable area,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46you don't want to move again in a hurry.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49But desirable areas are often architecturally special,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51and planners want to keep them that way.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54South London's Southwark Council are responsible for controlling
0:07:54 > 0:07:57development in one such area.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01This is a particularly attractive place,
0:08:01 > 0:08:07has been for years ever since it grew up around the Dulwich Estate.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Welcome to one of the most gentrified
0:08:11 > 0:08:14postcodes in the capital- Dulwich Village.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18As the name suggests, this idyllic pocket of Southwark has
0:08:18 > 0:08:22maintained its village-y feel, with all development closely managed.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26The village is dominated by its illustrious boys school,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Dulwich College, which dates back to 1619.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34The area's mainly 18th and 19th-century houses
0:08:34 > 0:08:37have staggering prices attached.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39A typical semi-detached property will cost
0:08:39 > 0:08:43an average of £1.3 million, with some properties
0:08:43 > 0:08:47in the most coveted streets fetching well over 2 million.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49With these houses, they're much bigger than
0:08:49 > 0:08:53the houses in East Dulwich so they've probably, in many cases,
0:08:53 > 0:08:58got a lot more scope to enlarge them and extend them.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Dulwich itself is a really nice pocket,
0:09:00 > 0:09:02very close to central London.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05The schools are fantastic.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07You are 14 minutes to Victoria.
0:09:07 > 0:09:08It's where we wanted to be.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Nitin Nagpaul has worked hard to find a family home
0:09:13 > 0:09:16in this convenient and up-market location.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19He bought this large detached property in College Road
0:09:19 > 0:09:21for 1.2 million.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Fully renovated houses on this street can fetch
0:09:23 > 0:09:27anywhere between two and four million, and because they don't
0:09:27 > 0:09:30come on the market very often, they're snapped up quickly.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Nitin's mission is to turn the property into a family home.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39He's got planning permission for the first phase of the development,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41but now he wants an additional feature,
0:09:41 > 0:09:45a huge conservatory-style family room on the rear of the building.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47It's a big overhaul of our house.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50We've got a '70s-built house which wasn't really to our taste
0:09:50 > 0:09:51when we purchased it.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56It really needed a lot of work done to get it to a reasonable level.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59But we thought we'd take it to the next level
0:09:59 > 0:10:02and really put our stamp on it - something we liked.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04So, we were aware there were planning issues.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07We were aware that there were Dulwich Estate issues which is
0:10:07 > 0:10:10something unique to this area and we waded through
0:10:10 > 0:10:11and jumped through the hurdles.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Planning permission here is managed by both Southwark Council
0:10:16 > 0:10:19and the Dulwich Estate, who own the land.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23This makes every step of the renovation process more complicated.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28Nitin plans to spend 350,000 on a complete overhaul
0:10:28 > 0:10:31of the property, and most of his permission is finally through.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34But he desperately wants to add the large rear extension
0:10:34 > 0:10:37which will bring something truly special to his home.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41We've now applied for a secondary application
0:10:41 > 0:10:43which involves a rear extension
0:10:43 > 0:10:46and we hope to hear good news from that in the next four to six weeks.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52We have been given no indication that there will be objections
0:10:52 > 0:10:56but until you have got that piece of paper you don't really know.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Erm, shall we go round the back then
0:10:58 > 0:11:01and have a look at what we're proposing for the rear extension?
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Yeah, yeah. Definitely.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05With such an ambitious project, Nitin meets his architects
0:11:05 > 0:11:08and builders for regular updates.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Today his architect has come specifically to discuss
0:11:11 > 0:11:12the rear extension.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15So we're looking to submit the application to Southwark
0:11:15 > 0:11:20just to make these revisions basically to the design.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23We're not proposing to increase the height of the extension
0:11:23 > 0:11:25beyond what's already approved,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28so all we're looking to do is increase the depth of it.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31OK. That should be good news, one would hope!
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Nitin hopes the extra hoops he's going through are worth the effort.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38He has his heart set on the large, light rear extension,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40which will be a family area.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44But getting this idiosyncratic extra may prove a step too far.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46It's all up to the Southwark planning officer
0:11:46 > 0:11:48who'll make a crucial site inspection.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57In Hastings, Calum has arrived for his all-important site visit.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00It's up to him to decide whether the Bretts' plan for an extension
0:12:00 > 0:12:04with bespoke features is acceptable in smart St Helen's.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- Hello there.- Mr Brett, it's Calum from Hastings Planning.
0:12:09 > 0:12:10- Good to meet you. - Come in.- Thanks.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- Go through.- Thank you.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18The people this side, as you're probably aware, have got
0:12:18 > 0:12:20consent for a very, very similar extension
0:12:20 > 0:12:21on the front of their property.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Yeah.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26I will just check that and I'll check just upstairs as well
0:12:26 > 0:12:28just to take the photos and everything I need to do
0:12:28 > 0:12:30before writing the report.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- Yeah, fine.- Is that all right?
0:12:32 > 0:12:35What Richard doesn't know is that Calum has concerns
0:12:35 > 0:12:39about his Juliet balcony, which was an addition to the original plans.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Hastings Council are keen to keep things uniform
0:12:41 > 0:12:44in the street - anything which looks out of place
0:12:44 > 0:12:46may result in a refusal.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Looking from this you're only really going to overlook the driveway,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52which, that's good from a planning point of view
0:12:52 > 0:12:54because what we try and avoid
0:12:54 > 0:12:57is overlooking right into the neighbouring property.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02Viewing it from here, there's no sort of general issue
0:13:02 > 0:13:05about neighbouring property and neighbouring amenity which is good.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Calum has to consider every aspect of the Brett's plans.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13His biggest concern isn't with their garden building,
0:13:13 > 0:13:15because neighbours already have these -
0:13:15 > 0:13:20he worries about anything which looks irregular in the same street.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22In terms of the balcony, this is what you can see
0:13:22 > 0:13:26from the street so there is a slight concern about being able to see
0:13:26 > 0:13:30that at the moment which I'll have to discuss with senior colleagues.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Because the extension's coming out 4.1 metres, I'm going
0:13:36 > 0:13:40to take photos just to show either side of the boundary treatments
0:13:40 > 0:13:44just to ensure the overlooking problem which may or may not
0:13:44 > 0:13:48be here is just OK so I can analyse that back at the office, as well.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Calum still isn't convinced about the balcony.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56He doesn't want it to be an oddity in such a smart street.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00This doesn't bode well for the Brett's application.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03There's only one sort of real concern and that's the balcony,
0:14:03 > 0:14:08because you can see it from the street, the elevation's quite clear.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11So that would purely be with a view to what the property
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- looks like from the road?- Yeah.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Like I say, as part of our sort of local planning policy we do try
0:14:17 > 0:14:20and protect the street scene of the area so as people are driving
0:14:20 > 0:14:23past there's sort of continuity with the street...
0:14:23 > 0:14:25In a road where there are no two houses the same!
0:14:25 > 0:14:26Sort of, yeah.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30But there's no balcony either on the front elevation.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34So, like I said to you earlier, balconies are normally on rear
0:14:34 > 0:14:37elevations so they're not seen from the street, so it's just...
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Although there are other houses further up the road
0:14:39 > 0:14:42that have balconies on the front.
0:14:42 > 0:14:48There are, yes, but we do... It's like the old-age question,
0:14:48 > 0:14:49how far do you go up before you say,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51"That's the immediate street scene?"
0:14:51 > 0:14:54What's your initial feeling on the balcony?
0:14:54 > 0:14:55Erm...
0:14:55 > 0:14:57You can be honest, it's all right.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59I'm not entirely sure, to be honest.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04I've got to analyse it better, which I can do back at the office
0:15:04 > 0:15:07and without seeing all the neighbouring properties,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11so far so I can't give you a yes or no on that.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16My first and main concern was on the overlooking, but that's nothing now.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19It's just the balcony which is possibly the issue.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- All right? - OK. Thanks for your time.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22- Thanks a lot.- Marvellous.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29The applicant has raised an issue around neighbouring properties
0:15:29 > 0:15:33with the balcony so that is what I'm going to go and check
0:15:33 > 0:15:39just to make sure that what they've proposed is in the area as well.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43I'm surprised there's so much fuss over the balcony situation
0:15:43 > 0:15:47but I suppose they've got a plan they want to stick to.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49I don't really, personally see,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53in a road where every property's individual anyway,
0:15:53 > 0:15:54the issue that we've got of,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57"Oh, well, we want them all to look the same!"
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Because there's only two houses that look the same up this road anyway.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05If they object to the balcony just, in my opinion, quite simply
0:16:05 > 0:16:09because they don't like the idea of it, I might consider an appeal.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I'll go back to the office,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14check all the plans with senior planners.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Tell them what I found on site and go from there about
0:16:18 > 0:16:21whether the amendment for the balcony is acceptable or not.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26Back in South London,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30and Nitin is about to go through exactly the same process.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Southwark Council's Anna Clare is en route
0:16:34 > 0:16:36to his house in Dulwich Village.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Her visit will have a huge bearing on whether his second application
0:16:39 > 0:16:43is passed and he can build the large glass-panelled family room
0:16:43 > 0:16:45that will complete his vision.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48The reason for having a site visit is essentially to assess
0:16:48 > 0:16:51the rear extension. It's on this side of the property
0:16:51 > 0:16:54so the main thing I'll be looking at is any impact on this
0:16:54 > 0:16:58neighbouring property here in terms of the height and the projections.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01Hi, I'm Anna Clare, the planning officer.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Anna, nice to meet you. Nitin.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05It's probably best if we go round the back, OK?
0:17:05 > 0:17:07- Thank you.- No worries.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11The good thing for Nitin is that houses within Dulwich tend to
0:17:11 > 0:17:14be spacious, giving him plenty of room to expand.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17But Anna's main concern will still be
0:17:17 > 0:17:20the impact of the extension on neighbouring properties,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23especially since it will now be bigger than originally planned.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26I think originally it was just three metres, wasn't it?
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- Four metres. - Was it four metres? OK.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34Now the application's gone to 6.5 or 6.45 or something.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39Oh, yeah. Here, obviously the only real concern
0:17:39 > 0:17:42here is any impact on that neighbour.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45So they have more of a concern than the rear neighbour.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Yeah, it's quite a shallow garden but any light is lost
0:17:48 > 0:17:53by the mass of the actual building, not really by that extension.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55And there's no real restriction on how big you can make it,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57it just depends on the size of the site really.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01We consult the neighbours by letter and the adjoining land and
0:18:01 > 0:18:04there's a site notice up outside for anyone else who may be interested.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- Sure.- I don't actually remember
0:18:06 > 0:18:10if anyone commented on the original application but we'll just wait
0:18:10 > 0:18:11and see if anyone does on this
0:18:11 > 0:18:14and then we can take it from there, really.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Good. I shall invite them all round to tea.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Sure! Is it all right if I take a few photos?
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Of course, yes, please. Snap away.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Even though this is an amended plan,
0:18:26 > 0:18:28it still requires a fresh site visit.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Planners always need to double-check they haven't missed anything,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34not only for people living nearby today,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36but also for future generations.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39That's all I really need to see today so thank you for your time.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- No problem, my pleasure.- If you have any questions, just give me a call.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- Many thanks indeed. I shall see you out.- Cheers.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49I suppose, it is quite a large extension - 6.5 metres
0:18:49 > 0:18:54is essentially the same depth as the existing house -
0:18:54 > 0:18:57but really there's no real set guidance
0:18:57 > 0:19:00as to how big your extension can be.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03It really is sort of on a case-by-case basis.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06It really depends on how it would affect the neighbours.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08So basically at the office I'll have a better look
0:19:08 > 0:19:11at where the neighbours' windows are and any impact it will have on them.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16If it was felt to be a bit big we might ask them to reduce it.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19But we'll have to see how the application goes and see
0:19:19 > 0:19:21if this neighbour has any comments to make.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23The site visit went really well
0:19:23 > 0:19:25but the problem is it is just a site visit -
0:19:25 > 0:19:28there are boundaries to... Hurdles to jump over
0:19:28 > 0:19:31so we'll wait and see what the neighbours come up with.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33She gave me an indication of what problems
0:19:33 > 0:19:35we might have from our neighbours.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36The next stage is really
0:19:36 > 0:19:38they have to establish their consultation period.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41They have to go through the processes in terms of making sure
0:19:41 > 0:19:43the neighbours are fully informed,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46make sure the public's informed via notice and hopefully everything
0:19:46 > 0:19:49will be OK but unfortunately we can't predict things at this stage.
0:19:49 > 0:19:50Time will tell.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Over in Hastings, and Calum has had time to consider
0:19:55 > 0:19:58the impact of the Bretts' Juliet balcony on the street.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01He now makes a recommendation
0:20:01 > 0:20:04which must be authorised by a senior planner.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08What I'm doing today is the report from the site visit
0:20:08 > 0:20:14so I'm putting down my thoughts about my assessment on site
0:20:14 > 0:20:18which will then go to the senior planner and development manager
0:20:18 > 0:20:20to sign off.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22The main concern was really the balcony,
0:20:22 > 0:20:27but it's just a case of making sure what I've written is correct
0:20:27 > 0:20:29so that we can get the decision out to the applicant.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37So I've just done the report now.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43So I've mentioned about the balcony and that there's one already at 11,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45so I've just mentioned that.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- Excellent. Thank you very much. - Thanks.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50The report is an explanation of the whole proposal
0:20:50 > 0:20:53so it will explain in there the position of the balcony,
0:20:53 > 0:20:54how that looks in the street,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57whether it's going to have any impact on neighbouring properties,
0:20:57 > 0:20:58those kind of things.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02The planners have now made their decision.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04The Bretts are about to find out
0:21:04 > 0:21:08if they can have the modifications they want in their chosen street.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11We're very excited about putting our own mark on the house,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13making it our own.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15If the consent is given for the cabin,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17then we'll get that ordered within the week
0:21:17 > 0:21:20and hopefully only two to three weeks' delivery,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22we'll have that up within the month.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25I can put my TV in there, the Xbox and everything.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26Give me somewhere to go.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30I think it'd be a bit out of order if they don't let us do it.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35- The neighbours have both extended their houses, haven't they?- Yeah.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37I don't see why they should say no to us.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40So I suppose we really need to go and have a look at the e-mails
0:21:40 > 0:21:43and see what they've got to say for us.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48Right.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Let's have a look and see what the council have got to say.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55So that's the official decision notice.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Here we go.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59So, that's official.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02We have got our planning permission!
0:22:03 > 0:22:05A yes for the Bretts!
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Callum decided that the Juliet balcony
0:22:08 > 0:22:10wouldn't look too out of place in the street.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12And what about the balcony?
0:22:12 > 0:22:16Yes, because that's on those plans. So that's it.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Well, that's marvellous, isn't it?
0:22:18 > 0:22:19Yeah - kids shipped out of the house.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Yes. Children in the garden.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26We're all very pleased with that, aren't we? Yes? Yes?
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Happy days.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30It'll be a lot of work, obviously -
0:22:30 > 0:22:34building a two-storey extension is not, you know,
0:22:34 > 0:22:36it's not five minutes' work.
0:22:36 > 0:22:37Fast forward three months...
0:22:38 > 0:22:41..and while the Bretts haven't started work on their extension yet,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44they've pretty much completed the kids' garden den.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46The cabin, we finished that,
0:22:46 > 0:22:48we finished the interior of the cabin as well,
0:22:48 > 0:22:53which, again, has made a nice, useful space
0:22:53 > 0:22:56for the children to have their friends around.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57It's really good, cos before,
0:22:57 > 0:22:59if I wanted people around, it was a bit of a problem
0:22:59 > 0:23:03because everyone got annoyed at making noise in the house,
0:23:03 > 0:23:07but now you just sort of come down here, they can't hear,
0:23:07 > 0:23:08it's pretty soundproof.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Over the past couple of months since Christmas,
0:23:11 > 0:23:12it's been a bit full-on
0:23:12 > 0:23:17and I definitely would like to get off the merry-go-round sometimes,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19but you've just got to keep plodding on,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22cos you know, in the end, it'll be so worth it.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28In leafy Dulwich, Nitin's is about to find out
0:23:28 > 0:23:30if he too will get planning permission
0:23:30 > 0:23:32to build the house of his dreams
0:23:32 > 0:23:34with the additional feature he wants.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36He's got the OK from Dulwich Estates,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40but it's vital he gets a positive decision from Southwark Council.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44His architect and building team are all together with him on site
0:23:44 > 0:23:45to hear the crucial news.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47PHONE RINGS
0:23:51 > 0:23:52WOMAN ON PHONE: Good afternoon, Planning.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Hi, is that Anna? It's Nitin here.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58I'm just ringing to see if there's any updates on the application.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00I believe it's due any minute now,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03so I was wondering if it's been approved or not.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06It went through our managers this morning,
0:24:06 > 0:24:07and it was approved.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Oh, brilliant. Excellent. Thank you so much.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12That's a yes for Nitin!
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Anna decided that his extension
0:24:14 > 0:24:17wouldn't have an unacceptable impact on the neighbours.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20It's been an interesting journey. At least we've made it this far.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22We can crack on with the main bit of the house.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Now that we've got permission,
0:24:24 > 0:24:26the next stage is going to be hammering out the finances
0:24:26 > 0:24:29with the builder and the main contractor
0:24:29 > 0:24:34and deciding on the specification - the finer detail of it.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38That actually is hopefully going to be fairly plain sailing,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41because it was with the first phase, which was much bigger works.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Fingers crossed we'll be speaking in the next week or so
0:24:44 > 0:24:47and hopefully they'll be getting their diggers in
0:24:47 > 0:24:49a couple of weeks after that.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Within three weeks, I hope to hear some noises - we'll see.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56It's worth remembering that whatever plans you submit,
0:24:56 > 0:25:00you can make amendments and add requests for extra features
0:25:00 > 0:25:01at any point in the process,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04even if you've started your building work.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Neighbours would have to be re-consulted,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09but it's worth it to get the home that exactly suits your needs.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16In Hastings, the Bretts have also been thinking hard
0:25:16 > 0:25:18about what they need.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20The kids' cabin is up, and Richard's built himself
0:25:20 > 0:25:23a similar-style office in the back garden.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26But the family have reassessed their priorities for their building work,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29and this has impacted on their timetable.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34We decided not to start the extension this year
0:25:34 > 0:25:37because we want to develop the left-hand side of the house.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Lisa wants her kitchen really this year,
0:25:40 > 0:25:42which is a higher priority
0:25:42 > 0:25:45than having a big dining room and extending the bedroom.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46By the time we've had our holiday,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48we'll be starting in the middle of August,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52and it's not a good idea to take the roof off your house in October.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Too true, Richard.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58The family have three years to get started on their renovations.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Interestingly, the council estimate
0:26:00 > 0:26:0310% of approvals never get built.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05But after getting the green light for everything,
0:26:05 > 0:26:07including his balcony,
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Richard is determined he will extend,
0:26:09 > 0:26:13and he's feeling positive about the whole experience.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15I've got to say the council have been very helpful,
0:26:15 > 0:26:17the planning department.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Callum from the planning department was a really nice guy.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Yeah, there were a few "ums" and "ahs"
0:26:24 > 0:26:26over a couple of changes we wanted to make,
0:26:26 > 0:26:30but you can understand totally why they've got to have these rules
0:26:30 > 0:26:34and they are all...I've always found them to be human beings
0:26:34 > 0:26:36who'll come round and discuss things with you
0:26:36 > 0:26:38and there's always a compromise.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40It has been, and I'm sure it will be,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42a good experience, hasn't it?
0:26:42 > 0:26:44- Yes.- I'm glad we did it, yeah.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52In Dulwich Village, Nitin's building work is not far off completion.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Over the last five or six weeks, the glazing has gone in,
0:26:55 > 0:26:57the staircase has been finished,
0:26:57 > 0:26:58so the treads and risers are all in
0:26:58 > 0:27:01and it's gone up three flights as opposed to the existing two flights,
0:27:01 > 0:27:03so that's the main change of the house,
0:27:03 > 0:27:04but that was all in phase one.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Phase two is still yet to commence
0:27:06 > 0:27:09but hopefully we're about two or three weeks away
0:27:09 > 0:27:11from the foundations being dug for that.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14With such a huge, long-term project,
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Nitin and his family have had to be patient,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19but much of the first phase is now complete,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22with only the family area left to build.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24So what we're hoping for, in a few months' time,
0:27:24 > 0:27:29is for a taller room, a bigger room for us to enjoy
0:27:29 > 0:27:32and, yeah, very much an ideal living scenario.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35There's not really a single thing I regret about it
0:27:35 > 0:27:37and I would do exactly the same thing again.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Nitin has planned it and is building it.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45He will soon get a large family home in a coveted neighbourhood.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Moreover, house prices in the area
0:27:48 > 0:27:50have gone up almost 5% in the last year,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53so he will add massive value to his overall investment.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00The Bretts will also get the space they dreamt of by next year
0:28:00 > 0:28:03and their changes also make sound financial sense.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08Similar sized properties in their road sell for over 400 grand -
0:28:08 > 0:28:12an impressive uplift on their £249,000 outlay.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd