A wealthy investment banker has emerged victorious from a three-year planning dispute with Westminster City Council over a glitzy glass roof terrace at his multi-million-pound London home, after an appeal ruled his neighbours already have similar structures.
The Terrace That Sparked a Row
Dr Christopher Bremner, 61, found himself at the centre of a fierce planning row after being accused of installing the sleek glass-and-metal roof terrace without obtaining the necessary listed building consent. The terrace is part of his £3.2 million maisonette apartment located on an exclusive street in Belgravia, where townhouses routinely sell for over £10 million.
Westminster City Council had branded the alterations, which included decking and glass balustrades, as 'unattractive'. They argued the work 'harmed the special architectural and historic interest' of the Georgian residence and was 'entirely unacceptable'. In June 2024, planners served Dr Bremner with an enforcement notice, ordering the removal of the staircase, terrace, and associated rooftop equipment within a strict four-month deadline.
Appeal Succeeds on Precedent of Neighbours' Terraces
However, the council's case was quashed last month by independent planning inspector Simon Hand. The crucial factor in the appeal was the sheer number of similar rooftop additions already in the affluent neighbourhood.
Inspector Hand noted that while the council's argument that a roof terrace was inherently out of place on a late Georgian building had merit, 'there do seem to be a large number of roof terraces on the street and roads around'. He observed numerous examples during a site visit and referenced photos showing at least eight with planning permission.
'I agree that discrete roof terraces are very much part of the fabric of the area and I find it difficult to identify any harm that is actually caused,' Mr Hand concluded in his report. He added that the terrace, which is set back from the roof's front edge, had 'no real impact on the character of the area at all'.
Wider Implications and a Defiant Homeowner
This embarrassing loss for the council could potentially pave the way for other roof terraces built without formal listed building consent to avoid demolition. Planning experts suggest that with councils now hostile to the excavation of 'mega-basements' in prime central London, roof terraces have become the new 'gold rush' for wealthy homeowners seeking to add value and space.
When approached, Dr Bremner, who lives with his artist wife Aida Emelyanovva and twin daughters, was defiant. The Australian banker accused council bosses of incompetence, stating the enforcement action should never have been taken. He claimed his terrace, which he says was built in 1993, only came under scrutiny three years ago.
The case highlights a growing trend and a point of tension in London's most exclusive postcodes. As the Daily Mail recently revealed, Harley Street cosmetic surgeon Dr Yannis Alexandrides was ordered to demolish a luxury pergola on his Chelsea townhouse roof terrace after losing a separate appeal. The contrasting outcomes underscore the nuanced and often precedent-based nature of planning decisions in conservation areas.
