Extending a house in the Vale
19B The Paddock in Longworth, near Abingdon, is a detached house in the Vale of White Horse district. The family wanted a larger kitchen and living area opening to the garden and an extra bedroom above, which led to a combination of a two storey side extension and a single storey rear extension.
Design
The two storey side extension is set back from the front and its roof sits below the main ridge so it remains subordinate to the house. The single storey rear extension has a gabled roof and wide glazed doors to the garden. Brickwork, roof tiles and windows match the existing house throughout.
Daylight to the neighbour
During the application the scheme was refined through revisions so that it respected a 25 degree daylight line to the neighbouring house. We adjusted the depth and roof profile until the test was met, which answered the officer's main concern without losing the space the client needed.
Approval and trees
The application was supported by a sustainability statement. The Vale of White Horse District Council approved it in 2026 under reference P25/V2190/HH, with tree protection secured by condition. We coordinated the tree protection plan after approval so the condition could be discharged before work began.
How the 25 degree test works
The 25 degree test draws a line at 25 degrees from the centre of the lowest window of a neighbouring property facing the extension. If the extension cuts through that line, daylight may be affected. At The Paddock we reduced the height and adjusted the roof profile so the extension sat below the line, which resolved the issue.
Rear extension details
The gabled single storey rear extension has a pitched roof that echoes the main house, with wide glazed doors that open the kitchen to the garden.
Why we include a sustainability statement
The council asks for information on sustainable construction even for householder schemes. Our statement covered insulation, glazing, heating and water efficiency.
Trees
Trees on and near the site were protected by a condition on the approval. We prepared the tree protection plan after approval, showing fencing and working areas, so the condition could be discharged before work began.
Revisions during the application
Revisions during an application are often the quickest way to resolve a concern, rather than accepting a refusal and resubmitting.
