Wandsworth's Conservation and Heritage Advisory Committee has voiced strong objections to a proposed loft extension at Flat C, 25 Prince of Wales Drive, labelling the plans a monstrosity
and a travesty
that would destroy the symmetry of the pair of houses.
The committee met on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to discuss several planning applications, with the proposal at 25 Prince of Wales Drive drawing particular ire. The plans involve replacing the existing hipped roof with a roof extension to create an additional floor of accommodation, including a front roof terrace and an extension above the rear addition, also featuring a roof terrace.
Committee members expressed significant reservations, stating the proposal was contrary to the Battersea Park Conservation Area's appraisal and management strategy, which prioritises rear loft extensions.
They noted that where there have been loft extensions on the facade of buildings, they have altered the character of the street. Not always in a complementary way.
The loss of the hip roof and chimney stacks was also highlighted as a significant alteration that would not preserve or enhance the conservation area.
Concerns were also raised about the potential visual impacts of the proposed roof terraces. For the extensive rear roof terrace, members voiced worries about its potential intrusiveness.
The front roof terrace, with its glass balustrade,
was also identified as a concern, with reservations that it would be visible and could be unacceptably intrusive
when viewed from the courtyard of the development on the corner.
The applicant's justification for the design, stating that contemporary roof extensions are quite common
in their design and access statement, was found insufficient by committee members. One member stated, I don't understand why it's been put forward.
The committee's discussions and the full agenda can be found in the Supplementary Agenda to the Applications Paper and the Agenda frontsheet.