Angry residents in Wilton Square

THE council’s decision to block roof extensions in conservation areas is forcing families to leave the borough, a campaign group has warned this week.

In the face of the housing crisis, families living in the Arlington conservation area say the right to build “inconspicuous” mansard roof extensions would give them more space, reducing the pressure to leave the borough.

Ellen Stang-Lord, a teacher, has lived in Wilton Square with her husband since the 1980s. “Both our parents died in the house, our sons were born in the house – we’re very closely connected to the place,” she said.

But the family’s needs have changed over time and they may have to move if they can’t extend their home, Ms Stang-Lord said.

“We’re in a situation where we have a son with a very serious, chronic autoimmune disease – I don’t think he’s ever going to be able to live on his own,” she said.

“Being able to build that mansard [roof] would give him his own space. It would be a lot easier for us to be able to carry on living here.”

The borough’s 42 conservation areas are subject to stricter planning guidelines than other Islington homes. While homes outside of conservation areas are frequently given permission for mansard roofs, those living within conservation areas find it much harder to get the green light.

Campaigners say these conservation guidelines are out of date, having last been updated 20 years ago, when house prices were lower and family needs were different.

They argue mansard roofs can be added to small homes to add a vital extra room without significantly impacting the character of an area. They say they are much less obtrusive than garden extensions.

Nayan Sthanakiya, another Wilton Square resident, describes the discussion about mansard roofs as a “move versus improve debate”. The Sthanakiyas have lived in one of the square’s typical “two up two down” homes since 2007, where their two daughters were born.

However, their daughters are now teenagers and still share a room.

“You want to give them their own space – I don’t think it’s a particularly unreasonable aspiration,” he said.

Mr Sthanakiya said Covid and the rise of home working has only increased the family’s need for more space. “We put down roots here – we love the area, we don’t want to move,” he said.

Keval Khiroya, another Wilton Square resident, said: “We’ve seen good neighbours leave as soon as they need more space. Wilton Square is a great place, but actually the one thing is it doesn’t really have an enduring community because families either don’t buy into the square or couples who have kids leave.”

The campaign recently submitted a joint planning application for permission to build mansard roofs on 10 buildings in Wilton Square which was refused.

Another resident in the square, Lindy Dumas, said: “Our homes need to reflect the changes in lifestyle of the 21st century. These homes were built 170 years ago. We can’t live with one foot in the past.”

In its response to the application, planning officers said: “The introduction of further residential accommodation within private homes is considered to represent a private benefit and not a public benefit of the proposal.

“The houses were purpose built as residences and have been occupied as such since their construction. The number of rooms has been reduced in every instance by creating open plan areas at ground and basement levels.”