Property News · May 7, 2016

Can you dig it? Basement facts and fictions


As London’s basement phenomenon grows, so too does irritation at what some see as greed. But what’s so wrong with digging down, asks one London architectTo many they are a plague, to others an opportunity, but whether big or small, they are always controversial. A report earlier this year revealed that the number of applications for house basements in London has more than tripled since 2011. The rise of the multistorey “iceberg” basement, with cinemas, swimming pools and bowling alleys, has seen Rachel Johnson, Brian May, Ruby Wax and even the French government attempt to fight off the ambitions of the super rich. But are all basements so bad? It’s time to sort the truth from the myths.Digging down is plain greedyFamilies grow and moving is expensive. Also, children are staying at home longer as setting up home becomes harder so buildings need to adapt to their owners’ needs. In the past, homes usually sprawled out or up but in central London– one big conservation area – this just isn’t possible. Some mavericks have suggested that adding an extra two floors to any London building would solve the housing crisis. But right now digging down is the only option for families bursting at the seams. Continue reading…

Source : theguardian.com
Read more…Can you dig it? Basement facts and fictions

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