Two carefully positioned rooflights can make a roof space more useful without changing the overall shape of a building. At Marlborough Lodge on Cleveland Grove in Tower Hamlets, our design introduces daylight to the loft above a second-floor flat, alongside a more practical arrangement for accessing storage.
Tower Hamlets Council granted full planning permission for the insertion of two rooflights at Flat 9 on 6 November 2026, under reference PA/26/01541. The proposal keeps the existing roof form and the loft’s role as a cold storage space.
Bringing daylight into the existing roof
The proposed roof plan places the two new rooflights within the sloping roof surfaces. The drawings limit their projection to 150mm, helping the openings sit close to the roof rather than forming an additional raised structure. The ridge and eaves remain at their existing heights, with no dormer or increase in the building’s footprint.
For the loft itself, the purpose is straightforward: introduce natural light to a space used for storage. This is a modest external alteration with a practical benefit inside. Its success depends on the relationship between the roof openings, the existing structure and the access point below, rather than on creating a larger roof volume.
Making storage easier to reach
The floor plans show the existing loft hatch being infilled and a new, wider hatch accessed by a ladder from the flat’s hallway. A local adjustment to the wall line accommodates that access. Keeping the ladder position within the circulation space allows the main living room and bedrooms to retain their uses.
The sections explain the limits of the space as well as the opportunity. The roof remains sloping, and the loft is labelled as a cold space. This scheme does not introduce a new bedroom or a permanent staircase. Considering access and intended use together is part of our architectural design work for existing homes.
A focused planning application for a flat
The council’s permission covers the two rooflights and refers to the submitted plans and sections. It requires the work to follow those drawings and begin within three years of the decision. Our planning permission service brings the drawings and supporting information together so the extent of a proposal can be assessed clearly.
The drawings also identify structural coordination for the rooflights and loft arrangement. That remains a separate design task: a planning decision does not settle the construction details. Our building regulations and technical design service develops those details with the relevant engineering input. For this flat, the council also expressly requires the necessary owner or third-party consent before work starts.
If you are considering rooflights or better access to loft storage, book a call to discuss your property and the space you want to improve.
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