Residential amenity considerations

As well as the impacts of an extension or alteration or the overall character of the wider area, it is also important that the amenity of existing residents is protected. Amenity refers to positive and pleasing attributes that contribute to the character and/or enjoyment of an area for residents. Extensions can therefore cause problems for the enjoyment of a local area, particularly in neighbouring properties, through loss of privacy, dominance and overshadowing/loss of light. The extent to which the potential problems may arise is usually dependent upon the separation distance, height, depth, mass and location of an extension and window positions.