A narrow space beside an existing kitchen can offer an opportunity to solve a very practical problem. At a home on Potters Road in New Barnet, our approved rear infill extension creates a dedicated boot and storage room within a small gap alongside the rear part of the house.
Barnet Council granted householder planning permission on 2 April 2026, under application 26/0460/HSE. The proposal extends the existing flat roof over the new room and introduces one rooflight, with matching brickwork tying the addition into the house.
Making room for the things that need a home
The brief centred on a shortage of useful storage. The proposed boot room provides a place for outdoor footwear and everyday belongings close to the garden, helping to keep those items out of the kitchen and other rooms. Its position beside the kitchen makes it a convenient supporting space within the ground-floor layout.
The house retains its separate living and dining rooms, kitchen, utility and WC. The infill therefore addresses a specific missing function while preserving the established arrangement of the main rooms. That is an important distinction when considering what a small extension can achieve: a dedicated storage space can improve the usefulness of rooms that are already there.
The drawings also make allowance for drainage and a water supply for potential future utilities. Planning for those connections gives the space some flexibility as the detailed design develops, while keeping its immediate purpose clear: useful storage at the back of the house.
Working within the shape of the existing house
The new room occupies the gap between the rear projection and the side boundary, keeping within the established depth of the rear built form. This makes use of an underused pocket beside the house without pushing the addition further down the garden than the existing rear projection.
A small rooflight brings daylight into the narrow room from above. Extending the existing flat roof creates a consistent roof form, and matching brickwork helps the infill sit quietly alongside the older building. The front of the house and its main entrance remain unchanged.
Small details at the boundary
The proposed drawings show a setback to retain the neighbouring gutter. It is a modest detail, but one that illustrates why an infill needs careful attention to the buildings on both sides of the available space. The low roof, approximately 2.9 metres high, also keeps the addition below the first-floor accommodation.
The permission limits use of the extension roof to repair and maintenance, so it is not approved as a roof terrace or sitting-out area. Barnet’s decision also identifies potential surface-water flooding and calls for flood resilience and sustainable drainage to be considered in the design and construction. Those matters remain part of developing the approved proposal into a buildable scheme.
This project shows how a focused rear infill can improve everyday practicality without a wholesale reorganisation of the home. If you have an awkward space beside your kitchen or rear extension, explore our house extension design service or arrange a call to discuss the possibilities for your Barnet property.
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