Row Town Planning

In mid 2024 Lambert Interiors was instructed to fully renovate and extend this 1950’s bungalow in Row Town, Surrey. Which has been in the same family for 3 generations. The house originally built by the current owners grandfather, will now be redeveloped by the grandson, bringing a blend of tradition and modernity to this cherished home.

So far the site and house has been surveyed to give us the existing house layout and dimensions, there has been a drain, tree and wildlife survey. Which helps to give an informed view of the site and local area, this is all useful for when applying to the coucil for planning permission.

Please see below the existing Ground Floor and First Floor plans.

The clients at the Row Town project have had an incredibly hard 2025. Due to the local planning authority refusing planning for their home extension and renovation. The issues that have arisen are that the council are unhappy with the proposed size and mass of the house, particularly a full sized first floor.

It is very hard when you set out looking to improve a property for a family and also in turn improve and add value the local area, that the council do not have the same view as the architect, interior designer and the client.

When a qualified architect and interior designer take on a project they pour all of their years of expertise and knowledge into the designs and plans for the house and the project. Taking into account the neighbours, the lie of the land, the natural light into the house, and the position of the plot. The very frustrating element here is that the council do not have any professional qualifications to underpin their reasons for refusing planning. Yes they have rigorous guidance and framework that they have to refer to, but ultimately the outcome of a planning application comes down to personal preference. 

Please see below a render of the first house design that was submitted; the clients utterly adored this house design, as did myself and the architect. It would have looked beautiful and have been a stunning improvement the local area.

At the time of writing at the end of 2025 we have proceeded with, and been granted planning permission for the ground floor extension, internal ground floor modifications, and front facade alterations. We are taking our time to address the first floor properly, in the hope that the modified design – bringing down the scale and mass get accepted for planning permission on the first submission.

We have resilience and we will keep trying to gain the family what should be their’s; a forever family home that promotes and enhances family life while raising their young children. 

House Renders: Christopher David Design