The potential of rooftops as an innovative source for new homes is under the spotlight. Earlier this year, Homes England has agreed a £9 million funding deal with Apex Airspace Developments to deliver rooftop homes through offsite construction across five sites in London. The promise is for half of these homes to be affordable.

Momentum for rooftop developments is growing. The emerging new London Plan recognises upward residential extension in its small sites policy. The NPPF supports new homes resulting from airspace development. Earlier this week the written ministerial statement by James Brokenshire after the Spring Statement confirmed the Government’s plans to take forward a Permitted Development Right “to extend upwards certain buildings in commercial and residential use to deliver additional homes”. Meanwhile further work is being done on the design and technical details considerations that should go hand in hand with this permitted development right.

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