Eltham House Extension is a full-width rear addition within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, designed to extend 4 metres beyond the original dwelling - exceeding the council’s preferred limit of 3.6 metres. Through a detailed pre-application process and a size analysis presented in the Design and Access Statement, we demonstrated that the proposal remained appropriate to its context. The neighbouring conservatory projected further on one side, while the other side was naturally buffered by two adjacent side accesses and a level change, ensuring minimal impact on outlook or amenity.

As part of the process, officers requested that the new ridgeline be set 150 mm below the existing first-floor window sills, a standard detail used to reduce perceived bulk. Following discussion, it was agreed this step-down was unnecessary in this case, as the neighbouring property’s ridgeline meets the window sill without the 150 mm set-down. Matching that relationship keeps the composition consistent while the extension remains clearly subservient to the host house.

Traditional, conservative detailing and proportion ensure that the new extension reads as subservient to the original dwelling, while providing a generous open-plan living area and utility space to the rear of the former garage. Although the client managed construction directly, we were pleased to support design and planning throughout and to revisit the completed build. As materials settle and mature, the extension sits comfortably within its setting - a confident, well-balanced response to both client ambition and planning constraint.