Retrospective planning permission has been allowed on appeal for a raised terrace created during the covid lockdowns. A householder created a terrace above a garage at their home during the covid lockdowns as they had no outside space. The terraced house in Plymouth only had a small yard at the front of their house that faces a busy road and the entire rear yard was filled by a garage. The only possibility for creating an external space was on top of the garage!
The homeowner had part constructed the terrace and asked JWP for assistance in applying for retrospective planning permission. We suggested that a cladding was applied to the outside to create a green, garden like appearance. The application was refused permission due to visual impact and a loss of privacy. JWP argued that the visual impact was consistent with the character of the area, particularly with the green cladding applied. The privacy was little different to what would have existed in the yard area. The Inspector agreed on both points and allowed the appeal.