New planning guidelines introduced by a north London borough to help large families have been welcomed by its growing strictly Orthodox population.

Haringey Council said that the measures would give families greater freedom to create additional space while protecting the privacy of neighbours.

Shmuel Davidsohn, a strictly Orthodox activist who has been involved with planning issues in the borough, said: “It will make a big difference. It changes the whole situation.”

Up until now, a full loft extension could be erected only across two houses, which left a family able to gain planning permission for one only if their neighbours agreed to do the same.

But the change of policy now means that the full extension — comprising two floors, including a dormer roof — can be built onto a single house.

Even before the latest move, Haringey has been regarded by strictly Orthodox leaders as more responsive to the housing needs of their community than neighbouring Hackney, which is home to the largest Charedi community in the country.

Haringey’s flexibility “has brought a lot more families into the area,” Mr Davidsohn said.