Support for residents
New to The Estate?
We hope you and your family enjoy many happy years living here. Our committee are here to help you settle into your new home and answer any questions you have.
Building work
The Highams Estate is a defacto conservation area, which means changes to the appearance, size, use or density (e.g. conversion of homes into flats or HMO) of buildings is either prohibited or require permission. You can download this leaflet explaining the types of changes that require consent.
As a guide, the following alterations require permission:
- Loft conversions
- Side and rear extentions
- Alteration to roofing profiles
- Removal or alteration of chimney stacks
- Addition of front porches
- Removal of garages
- Changes to exterior finishes
Owners are responsible for ensuring contractors work at reasonable times. According to Waltham Forest's website "Commercial construction works that lead to noise outside the development site boundary should only be done from Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, and Saturday 8am to 1pm, with no works permitted on Sundays and bank holidays".
Responsible contractors will keep your property tidy and free of debris wherever practicable, using skips and hoarding to do this. However, building owners are responsible for keeping their property tidy during works. Report nuisance caused by construction work
If you believe work is being carried out without planning consent, or you have not been informed of work that may affect you, let HRA know and report this to planning enforcement.
Planning advice
HRA regularly help residents who are considering making changes to their home.
We provide informal planning advice, recommendations for improvements and can support planning applications to the council. Speak to us if you're interested, and we'll arrange a visit.
This guide provides advice on how to extend and alter your property sympathetically, adopted by the council's planning department in 2010: Residential Extensions and Alterations
Note: HRA committee members do not represent the council's planning department, and advice is given in good faith. Always consult a qualified architect and structural surveyor before commencing any work.
Refuse, dog fouling and fly-tipping
Littering and not picking up after your dog is anti-social, illegal and poses a safety risk.
Despite bins being provided at strategic locations around The Estate, litter can be an issue. Thankfully, we witness residents picking up rubbish, plus HRA and HP Litter Pickers organise events that anyone can join. Sign up for updates at the bottom of this page.
If you find excessive litter, dog fouling or, worse still, fly-tipping, report it to the council who can clean up the mess.
Refuse is collected every week, with brown wheelie bins collected every two weeks during the winter months. Check when your bins are to be collected.
Bonfires and incinerators
Burning material on your property creates a nuisance for others. If you want to dispose of rubbish, take it to a council recycling centre.
If you're affected by someone who is burning material on their property, you can report it here.
Excessive noise
The Estate is generally a quiet and peaceful place to live.
Occasionally, noise may be an issue and residents should speak to the other party to resolve the situation amicably. If the problem persists, you may report it to the council when you are affected by the following:
- loud music and parties from homes or nearby entertainment venues
- noise from construction works and equipment
- alarms
- animal noise, such as regular and prolonged dog barking
Fireworks are not something the council deals with. If they become a nuisance, this would be a police matter, and they can be alerted by dialling 101.