Policy information sourced from Barking and Dagenham Borough Wide Development Policies DPD

POLICY BP4: TALL BUILDINGS

A tall building is defined as any building which is significantly taller than its neighbours, and/or which significantly changes the skyline.

Location of Tall Buildings

For tall buildings to be considered acceptable they should be located in areas of high public transport accessibility (PTAL) levels or as set out in the Site Specific Allocations DPD or Barking Town Centre Area Action Plan.

Design of Tall Buildings

Tall buildings are expected be of the highest quality design and layout. They should make a positive contribution to the character and amenity of the surrounding area and contribute to sustainable development. Their design should:

  • Be suited to the wider context in terms of proportion and composition and in terms of their relationship to the historic context, other buildings, pathways, streets, public and private open spaces, rivers and other townscape elements. In particular, buildings should contribute to the diversity, vitality, social engagement and ‘sense of place’ with its surroundings at ground/street level. The provision of a mix of uses on the ground floor will be encouraged.
  • Not cause harm to the significance of heritage assets and their settings.
  • Not significantly harm the skyline or any important views. The design of the top of a building will be of particular importance when considering the effect on the skyline.
  • Be of high architectural quality through its scale, form, massing, proportion and silhouette, and facing materials.
  • Maintain the permeability of the site in relation to the surrounding area.
  • Have an acceptable relationship to aircraft, navigation and telecommunication networks.
  • Avoid any microclimatic effects such as sun, reflection, wind and overshadowing.
  • Incorporate adaptable design measures.

Where a tall building is proposed adjacent to a watercourse the following criteria should also be met:

  • The buildings should be configured to ensure that they minimise shading of the watercourse or any riverside buffer strip; and
  • The type and direction of lighting should take the potential impact on the environment of the watercourse into account.

For more information please see the Borough Wide Development Policies DPD