Retrospective Go-ahead Sought for Changes to Grade II Flat
Original refurbishment was carried out at least 28 years ago
Front elevation of flat 26-33 Fairacres from the access road of Roehampton Lane
September 20, 2024
Planning permission is being sought for work that was carried out at least 28 years ago on a flat in the Grade-II listed Fairacres block in Roehampton Lane.
The executors of a third-floor property in the block, which was built as a luxury development in 1936, have asked Wandsworth Council for retrospective permission for a series of internal changes.
In their planning application, they state that they want to sell the flat following the death of the previous owner earlier this year. The previous owner lived there from 1997, but the changes had already been carried out when they moved in.
They have asked for permission for the removal of internal walls and doors, removal of the fireplace and modernisation of the bathroom.
A Design, Access and Heritage Statement (DAHS) submitted on behalf of the applicant details how the block was designed by Minopro and Spenceley to include a bedroom for a live-in maid as well as a scullery, larder and kitchen well separated from the rest of the apartment.
The curved nature of the development means many of the flats are unique, and the original design of this one also included three bathrooms, a dining room, living room and two other bedrooms.
The redevelopment, which took place sometime before 1997, removed the maid's bedroom and opened up the kitchen area, using the space it freed up.
The DAHS explained that originally "the individual flats provided clear separation between the service areas and principle [sic] rooms, providing luxury flats for residents with in house maids.
"The internal layout of many of the individual flats have been adapted over the years which reflects the changing social and economic climate within the country, with maids no longer employed as live-in help and less of a need or desire to separate the kitchen areas from the main living spaces....Informal open plan kitchen dining spaces are more desirable for everyday use by the occupants."
However, the communal concierge service remains from the original vision, along with formal main entrances with curved stairs and communal gardens.
The DAHS submitted by the applicants concludes that the internal alterations carried out by previous owners "cause less-than-substantial harm to the heritage asset of the apartment".
The council is seeking comments on the scheme until October 3, and you can give your views by searching for application number 2024/2628.
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