Policy information sourced from Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan
DH1: Design
- Development proposals that contribute positively to the distinctiveness and history of the characters areas and help to mitigate climate change (see DH3) through high quality design and landscaping will be supported where:
- they are sympathetic to established building lines and arrangements of front gardens, walls, railings, or hedges;
- they incorporate and enhance permeability – the ability to be walked or cycled through – in and around new developments to secure safe and convenient access for pedestrians and cyclists;
- for extensions, they are subservient to the original footprint and mass of the house, contribute positively to the character of the area and enhance biodiversity;
- for new dormer windows, they do not dominate or detract from the building or terrace being subsidiary to the main roof form (preserving sufficient areas of plain, uninterrupted slope), are modestly proportioned and positioned sensitively (preferable on the rear elevation), set back from the eaves and ridge, and smaller than ground floor windows using materials that complement the existing roof. Any new dormers should preserve architectural heritage and character;
- they avoid lockable gates and fencing that restricts through access;
- they respond positively and sympathetically to the existing rhythm, proportion, height, scale, massing, materials, rooflines and storey heights of surrounding buildings and to the gaps between buildings;
- they protect the residential amenity and visual privacy of neighbouring properties;
- they demonstrate how the proposal protects and enhances views, including those shown on Map 4 and maintain gaps between buildings where they provide glimpses of back gardens wherever possible;
- they provide enclosures for wheelie bins that are visually unobtrusive and screened by soft landscaping wherever possible.
- Development proposals that are required to produce a design and access statement will need to produce information on how the proposal conserves and/or enhances the relevant character area(s) relating to that proposal.
- Development proposals that fail to respect and enhance the character of the area and the way it functions will not be supported.
For more information please see the Neighbourhood Plan