A wealthy investment banker has emerged victorious from a bitter three-year planning dispute with Westminster City Council over a glitzy glass roof terrace at his multi-million-pound London home, after an independent inspector ruled that similar structures are already commonplace in his exclusive neighbourhood.
The Terrace That Sparked a Row
Dr Christopher Bremner, 61, found himself at the centre of a fierce planning enforcement case after installing the sleek glass-and-metal terrace at his £3.2 million maisonette apartment in the plush Belgravia district. The council alleged the banker had carried out the work without obtaining the necessary listed building consent for the Georgian residence.
Westminster City Council condemned the alterations, which included decking and glass balustrades, branding them "unattractive". Officials argued the modern addition "harmed the special architectural and historic interest" of the property and was "entirely unacceptable". In a decisive move, furious planners served Dr Bremner with an enforcement notice in June 2024, ordering the complete removal of the staircase, terrace, and associated rooftop equipment within a strict four-month deadline.
Appeal Success on the Grounds of Precedent
The banker's appeal against the council's notice was heard last month by independent planning inspector Simon Hand. In a significant blow to the local authority, Mr Hand quashed the enforcement action. His decision hinged on a key observation: numerous other multimillion-pound properties in the immediate area already feature similar rooftop retreats.
"The Council suggest [the terrace] is at odds with the historic building itself," Inspector Hand noted in his report. "That argument has considerable merit, except that there do seem to be a large number of roof terraces on the street and roads around." He confirmed he had seen "numerous examples" during a site visit and that the appellant had identified at least eight with formal planning permission.
Concluding his findings, Mr Hand stated: "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." He added that while the terrace was more visible from upper floors of neighbouring buildings, this did not equate to harm, especially as it is set back from the roof's front edge.
Broader Implications and a Scathing Critique
This embarrassing loss for Westminster Council is seen by planning experts as a potential precedent. It could pave the way for other roof terraces constructed without listed building consent to avoid demolition, particularly in areas where they have become a common feature.
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, asserting the enforcement action should never have been taken. "It's bull****," he said. "They threw drones over the place... and they just started attacking everyone that had something built." He launched a broader critique, claiming a "bloated government" and millions of public servants were preventing progress and contributing to the country's problems.
The case underscores a growing trend in prime central London neighbourhoods. With councils now largely hostile to the excavation of mega-basements, roof terraces are becoming the new "gold rush" for wealthy homeowners seeking to add value and space. They can often be installed more discreetly and at a fraction of the cost and complexity of a subterranean extension.
Dr Bremner contended his terrace, which he claims was built back in 1993, was modest compared to some neighbours and only attracted the council's attention three years ago. The council's enforcement papers argued the modern design clashed with the traditional materials of the early 19th-century building. However, the Planning Inspectorate swiftly dismissed these claims on appeal.
This ruling stands in contrast to other recent cases. As reported last month, Harley Street cosmetic surgeon Dr Yannis Alexandrides lost an appeal and was ordered to demolish a luxury rooftop pergola on his £6.7 million Chelsea townhouse. Council officials there deemed the structure "jarring" against the elegant terraces, highlighting that outcomes can vary significantly based on the specific context and design.
