urban living and contributes positively to the character of

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2 chapter six objective four Recognise the varied character of Hounslow s districts and seek to protect and improve their special qualities, heritage assets and overall townscape quality and appearance. Combine this with the promotion of welldesigned development that meets the needs of 21st century urban living and contributes positively to the character of an area. REINFORCING local CHARACTER AND IDENTITY

3 chapter summary Design Quality 6.1 Urban design considers how a building or area works, feels and looks. It includes the design and architecture of buildings and how the interrelationships with the spaces between them; the streets, squares, parks and linkages, form a whole greater than the sum of their parts. The quality of our buildings and public spaces is important as the backdrop for social and economic life; they can help or hinder, inspire or dull people s everyday lives. Achieving good design is critical to securing sustainable communities, where this doesn t happen it can have negative long-term, social, environmental and economic impacts on an area. 6.2 The NPPF attaches great importance to the design of the built environment and states that good design should contribute positively to making places better for people. Design covers how an area functions, not just how it looks; and should be informed by an understanding of its prevailing character, history and identity. Developments should seek to create long-term value by investing in good design and high quality materials, to help ensure places can stand the test of time as evidenced by the appeal of historic areas and buildings. 6.3 The London Plan states that neighbourhoods should provide a character that is easy to understand and relate to, and that buildings and the spaces created should help reinforce or enhance the character, legibility, permeability and accessibility of the neighbourhood. The Council shares the aspiration in the London Plan that the city should delight the senses, take care of its buildings and streets, and have the best of modern architecture, whilst making the most of its heritage assets. 6.4 The council is producing a Context and Character Study to identify, describe and analyse the character and quality of the borough and its different areas. This key piece of local evidence, undertaken through extensive field survey work, historical research and input from local amenity groups has identified areas from high to low design quality, areas sensitive to change and areas suitable for tall buildings, all of which have informed the policies in the plan. 6.5 Across the borough, but particularly in growth areas, the Council will work with partners to secure exemplary urban design and architecture and create high quality, distinctive places. The council will proactively manage growth and change, and work with applicants to explore and shape design issues through the pre-application process, ensuring that significant design matters such as layout and form are addressed at the earliest possible stage. The council aims to prepare more detailed design guidance for areas (i.e. masterplans, urban design frameworks) and types of development or design topics (i.e. streetscape guidance). By working proactively with local people, developers and others, the council will ensure good design is embedded into its plans, programmes and development schemes from the outset. 144

4 proposed policy options: lc1 1. Promoting the image of Hounslow by securing development that responds to the unique and defining characteristics of each area and its wider locale as set out in the Character and Context Study with the option to specify the following criteria: a) Ensuring new development integrates, respects and takes its cue from the distinctive qualities of the immediate and wider locality including openness as well as built form, as set out in the Character and Context Study; b) Promoting the clear distinction between public and private spaces, continuity of street frontages and the enclosure of space to foster comfortable, safe public spaces; c) Promoting innovative architecture that responds intelligently to current and future lifestyles, needs, technology and economic conditions, whilst ensuring they respect and respond to their immediate context; d) Reinforcing and integrating the natural landscape; including the topography, geology, existing features, landscape context, local flora and fauna and wider ecological setting of an area. e) Ensuring the right land use mix, quantum and density are located in the right places to support the rejuvenation of our town centres and creation of durable and liveable places; f) Promoting places that are easy to get to, move through, legible and feel safe during the day and night; g) Promoting the use of high quality, durable materials and finishes for buildings and the spaces between that reinforce local character and identity. 145

5 amenity and function 6.6 The design quality of the environment created by new development not only depends on the appearance but also on the function of the development and its impact on surrounding buildings and residents. This is reflected in the NPPF which states that Local Plans should aim to ensure that developments will function well and add to the overall quality of the area, not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development. proposed policy options: lc2 Ensure that all developments function well and have positive impact on the amenity and of existing and future residents, with the option to specific the following criteria: 1. New development should avoid an unacceptable impact on the amenity of occupiers of nearby residential properties, having particular regard to overlooking and loss of privacy. 2. Provide an adequate outlook avoiding any undue sense of enclosure. 3. Ensure sufficient daylight and sunlight reaches the proposed and adjoining properties with the option to specify the following criteria: a) All residential developments to comply with the requirements set out in the BRE Trust Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight; A guide to good practice or subsequent relevant guidance; b) Presumption against single aspect, northern facing residential units. 4. Adequate provision should be made for the storage of refuse, materials for recycling and composting and for convenient access for its deposit and collection in consultation with the council s waste services. Refuse enclosures should be designed so that they are integrated with the building or boundary closures and should be screened. 5. Servicing arrangements should enable vehicles to enter and leave the development in forward gear with turning heads of an adequate size for the likely service vehicles. 6. Ensure sufficient privacy for intended residents in a dwelling by: a) Ensuring that areas of garden extending up from the dwelling are screened. b) Recommending a separation distance of between 18m and 21m between the habitable rooms which directly face those of other habitable rooms c) Not accepting roof terraces, balconies and private areas of gardens where they would directly overlook neighbouring habitable rooms. d) Having private gardens directly accessible from ground floor flats where communal gardens adjoin. 7. Communal amenity areas should be designed to receive natural light, protect privacy through measures such as screening from parking areas, be easily accessible by all residents, be well landscaped and maintained, and have natural surveillance from habitable rooms. 8. All private gardens should have appropriate boundary treatments, particularly at the sides of gardens adjoining roads, paths or open spaces. 9. All service equipment (including lift plant, flues, fire escapes, etc) should be fully integrated into the building envelope or visually screened, and should not cause disturbance to occupiers. 10. Ensure new developments provides an inclusive and accessible environment in accordance with current best practice guidance. 146

6 public realm 6.7 The borough s public realm consists primarily of streets, but also includes squares and parks, natural areas and the riverside paths. It includes great variety, in terms of type, quality, accessibility and size. As the borough s population increases so will the importance of a range of high quality public spaces to help create liveable communities. 6.8 Public realm appeal is integral to the borough s residents and workers being able to enjoy and socialise in the borough. Investing in this realm is vital for social and community cohesion and integration to ensure people stay to shop, use parks, sit, talk, meet and generally enjoy spending time outside. The size of spaces and their enclosing buildings should be of good proportions to promote activity and attractive places. Interest and way marking should be created through detailed distinctiveness rather than by size. proposed policy options: lc3 1. Improving the public realm to create well-used, safe, attractive and comfortable streets and spaces with high quality materials that promote social interaction, activity and inclusion for all users, with the option to specify the following criteria: a) Ensure high quality links and use of spaces between buildings. b) Incorporate good quality landscape design including boundary treatments as an integral part of the development. c) Be designed to enhance safety and security in the environment in accordance with best practice guidance. d) Ensure legibility and permeability within and surrounding the development. e) Respect or improve the prevailing building line. 147

7 148 tall buildings 6.9 Hounslow borough is predominantly characterised by two to three storey buildings. Tall-ness is relative to context; due to the nearflat topography of the borough and its low, open landscape, particularly tall buildings are generally inappropriate as they can dominate the skyline over a very wide area. Tall buildings should be placed in suitable locations where they provide a marker and focal point, and restricted from sensitive areas especially where there are strategic and local settings and views. Located in the right place and designed sensitively, tall buildings can add to an area s townscape and image, assist in regeneration, mark a town centre / public transport node or provide a reference marker for navigation Hounslow has a number of tall buildings that do not positively contribute to the townscape and their existence should not be grounds for the provision of more. The council recognises that creating successful, vibrant urban environments is about compactness and density, not necessarily about height of buildings. The density and spacing of buildings and their architectural quality are important factors in creating well used public spaces and a coherent, attractive townscape. proposed policy options: lc4 1. Focusing (relatively) tall buildings in the following locations: a. Along the frontage of the Golden Mile section of the GWR reinforcing existing built form and creating a coherent linear cluster along the road whilst being mindful of longer-distance impacts; AND b. Within the town centres of Brentford, Hounslow and Feltham. 2. Set a criteria based policy for the assessment of all tall buildings with the option to specify that tall buildings: a) Be sensitively located and be of a height and scale in proportion to its location and setting, and carefully relate and respond to the character of the surrounding area; b) Be of the highest architectural design and standards; be attractive, robust and sustainable; c) Are designed to give full consideration to form, massing and silhouette; d) Be of a scale that reflects their relevance; and its hierarchical importance when located within a grouping/cluster of tall buildings; e) Should frame and provide a positive edge to the public realm with active edges/ overlooking and provide a human scale by treating ground floors and lower levels carefully; f) Provide for a comfortable and pleasant microclimate, minimising wind vortices and over-shadowing; g) Provide for biodiversity within the development area and building form and be sensitive to surrounding open spaces including waterways to ensure minimal impact; h) Make a positive (beneficial) contribution to surrounding heritage assets, the overall skyline and views, and not adversely impact their value, prominence, setting and backdrops; i) Consider the façade and overall detailing to ensure visual interest, vertical and horizontal rhythms and the break up of the building visually at varying scales; j) Use materials and finishes that are robust, durable and of the highest quality, with facades providing innate interest and variety; k) Comply with civil aviation requirements arising from the borough s location adjacent to Heathrow; l) Incorporate innovative approaches to providing high quality, usable, private and communal amenity space where residential uses are proposed.

8 Heritage Assets proposed policy options: lc A heritage asset can include a landscape, place, building, monument or feature that has been identified as having special architectural or historic interest. In the borough, these range from Grade I statutorily Listed Buildings such as Syon House within the 141 hectares of a designated conservation area (Isleworth Riverside) to individual or groups of buildings that are locally listed as buildings of townscape character The protection and enhancement of the historic environment is a core principle that underpins sustainable development as outlined in the NPPF. The character and identity of an area is heavily derived from its historical pattern of development, whether it s along the Roman road, the medieval street pattern, Victorian terraced housing, early railways or bridges over the Thames The borough s heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource and are particularly sensitive to change and development, requiring special protection and careful treatment to sustain their value and importance for future generations. The conservation and sensitive reuse of heritage assets in regeneration and development proposals can act as an important catalyst add significant social, economic and environmental value and contribute positively to the quality and character of new development. 1. Identify, preserve and enhance the following heritage assets and as identified in the council s emerging Heritage Strategy : a) Existing Conservations Areas, through management guidelines and actions, and identifying expansion of existing and creation of new conservation areas where appropriate; b) The borough s network of statutorily and locally listed buildings and features (including historic parks and gardens, scheduled ancient monuments; c) The Royal Botanical Gardens Kew World Heritage Site and its River Thames setting, including views to and from this asset, through working with LB of Richmond to ensure its protection; d) The unique Thames Arcadia landscape and its wider heritage and cultural value; e) Heritage fringe areas,with a view to appraisals and appropriate management; and f) Archaeological Priority Areas. 2. Securing the appropriate regeneration of key heritage assets at risk, including: a) Gunnersbury Park and buildings; b) Boston Manor House and Park; and c) Hanworth Park House 3. Promote the reuse of historic buildings and bringing them back into a sustainable use for the future, particularly those on English Heritage s Heritage at risk register. 4. Protect and enhance the strategic and local views that give the borough its character, visual richness and coherence. 5. Identify and protect the borough s landmarks, which provide a strong visual and physical presence in its townscape. 6. Ensure that new landmarks are aesthetically pleasing and contribute to the heritage and landscape value both inside the borough and as it impacts on other boroughs. 149

9 150 Advertisement Panels, Hoardings and Structures 6.14 There is continuing demand for advertisements in commercial areas of the borough and along the major arterial routes. The number, size and type of advertisements needs to be controlled if they are not to be unduly dominant. In particular, the Great West Road and M4 - stretching from Chiswick through Brentford - already has a significant number of tall advertisement structures which add to the visual clutter and dominance of the roadway. It is also important to ensure that advertisements are not detrimental to public safety and do not impinge on residential areas. proposed policy options: lc6 1. In accordance with Advertising Regulations the borough will assess advertisement applications for their impact on highway safety and amenity with the option to specify the following criteria: a) The advert will not result in a proliferation of advertisements, dominating the character of the area or street scene, with particular regard to the A4 / M4 corridor where the council consider there are already a significant number of advertisements; b) The advert does not have an adverse impact on the setting of heritage assets or residential areas; c) The advert contributes positively to local distinctiveness d) Advertising structures should be of the highest quality, integrate with the street scene and relate to the height of surrounding buildings. evidence base references By Design: Urban design in the planning system: towards better practice (2000) Urban Design Compendium 1 & 2 (first edition 2000) Character and Context Study (2013) emerging Guidance on Tall Buildings (2007) Conservation

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