A Chesham homeowner’s plans to build a replacement roof have been refused by Bucks Council, which said the scheme would be “harmful” to the local area.

The proposal sought to replace the existing roof to incorporate a rear dormer window and front roof lights, allowing for a loft conversion at the home on Codmore Crescent.

Currently, the detached bungalow features a hipped roof and a single-storey rear flat-roofed extension.

In a planning officer’s report, it was noted that the street scene is generally uniform, with matching bungalows and chalet bungalows contributing to a consistent character.

The proposal would raise the ridge height and include a rear dormer extension.

The officer criticised the design, saying the proposed hip-to-gable roof extension and the resulting increase in ridge height would fundamentally alter the simple roof form of the house, introducing unnecessary bulk.

They added that the new roof would increase the prominence of the dwelling, making it an incongruous addition that fails to integrate with the surrounding street pattern and character.

The officer also noted that there were no comparable examples of such roof extensions within the street scene, meaning the development would appear at odds with its surroundings and visually intrusive.

Regarding the rear dormer, the officer described it as an “unattractive, boxy addition”, with a flat roof that appeared excessively large in both width and height compared with the rest of the property.

They said it would look overly dominant on the roof slope, creating a top-heavy appearance and failing to fit in with the main building’s design.

The dormer’s position, close to the ridge, eaves, and both sides of the roof, would emphasise its large size and dominance of the main rear roof slope, the report continued.

The officer concluded: “The proposed development would significantly detract from the character of the host property, appear unduly large and bulky within the street scene, and be out of keeping with the scale and roof form of nearby bungalows.”

Buckinghamshire Council refused the application, citing similar reasons and confirming that the plans were contrary to local planning policies.

The decision stated: “The street scene of Codmore Crescent is generally uniform, with cohesively matched detached bungalows and chalet bungalows of similar scale and design.

“The proposed replacement roof would be disproportionately large and fundamentally alter the dwelling’s form.”

It added that the rear dormer’s bulky, flat-roofed design would dominate the roof slope and harm the area’s character and appearance.

The council also noted ecological concerns, saying the application failed to include a preliminary ecological appraisal or roost assessment.