Anju Parmar, solicitor, Bircham Dyson Bell LLP is warning residential developers to beware of falling foul of planning laws in the wake of an increase in basement conversions.
"Extending homes into the basement has grown in popularity, especially in central London as home owners decide to make the most of their existing property and the space it provides," explains Anju Parmar.
"However after a number of high profile failures and owners falling foul of planning laws, concerns are being raised about safety standards.
"In London during the month of November there were 76 council enforcement notices at 40 of the 109 construction sites investigated where residents fell foul of Health & Safety requirements."
More than half of the prohibition notices served dealt with real risks of workers falling from height, either into unfenced excavations or through unprotected floor openings.
"It's a large undertaking to excavate the basement - not least in terms of logistics alone; affect on the environment, noise pollution, impact on the neighbours, heavy lorries delivering to the property as well as damage to the water table or drainage system. And there's always the chance of subsidence or finding pollution in the ground. There are a lot of things to consider, but I would strongly urge those constructing basement conversions not to be complacent with planning and health & safety laws which are involved to avoid a council planning officer making an uninvited visit and the project being put on hold."
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
