How many basements are in London?
More than 4,600 basements have been granted planning permission under seven London boroughs in the past decade – together their depth is equivalent to a height almost 50 times that of the Shard.
Can you build basements in London?
Is it legal to build a house with a basement in the UK? Whether you’re digging a basement under your existing home or have one planned in your new property design, building a basement is usually legal.
Why are there no basements in London?
In the United Kingdom, almost all new homes built since the 1960s have no cellar or basement due to the extra cost of digging down further into the sub-soil and a requirement for much deeper foundations and waterproof tanking.
What is a mega basement?
There were, however, 785 “large” iceberg basement conversions and 112 “mega” basements, which are at least three storeys deep, or two storeys deep and extend beyond the footprint of the house.
What’s an iceberg basement?
Iceberg homes are houses with big, hidden basements that may be significantly larger than the house that appears on the surface. These basements can be as many as four storeys deep – huge subterranean bunkers often containing luxury add-ons such as swimming pools, spas, gyms, bowling alleys and cinemas.
How many iceberg houses are in London?
‘Iceberg homes’ up to 59ft (18m) deep are being placed into Britain’s richest areas such as Kensington and Chelsea as the wealthy add astonishing amenities including artificial beaches and even car museums under their homes….
| Borough | TOTAL |
|---|---|
| Standard | 3753 |
| Large | 785 |
| Mega | 112 |
| TOTAL | 4650 |
How deep can you dig in London?
The deepest point is below Hampstead Heath at Bull and Bush (where a station was part-built, but never completed), which reaches 67m. The deepest space in London is the recently completed Lee Tunnel, a relief sewer that slopes down to 80m beneath Beckton.
How much does it cost to dig a basement in London?
A completed basement can cost anywhere between £3,000-£5,000+ per square meter, but with so many factors that can influence the cost of your extension, from the size you have in mind to the ground conditions, waterproofing requirements and more, this is nothing more than a ballpark figure.
How deep can I dig under my house?
However, for practical purposes (leaving the legal requirements aside), it is generally safe to dig holes no more than 300mm deep (12 inches) on your property, and it’s much safer and non-risky to dig holes no more than 100mm deep (4 inches).
What are iceberg homes?
Environmental concerns raised as ‘iceberg homes’ become more popular. Some wealthy homeowners are looking to expand by building below ground to create an ‘iceberg home,’ where more of the house is below ground than above. But as the properties grow in popularity, so do the environmental concerns.