Policy information sourced from Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan

EC2: Contributing Positively to The Retail Environment

  1. New shop fronts or alterations to existing shop fronts will be supported where the proposals respect the proportions, rhythm, and form of original frontages. Where possible, lost original features such as unpainted surfaces, pilasters, corbels, glazing bars, part-glazed doors and fascias should be restored (see Camden Planning Guidance Design).
  2. The retention of any shop front that is noted in the relevant Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy will be encouraged.
  3. Any shop front of historical or architectural quality should be retained, even if its use has changed.
  4. Security measures should not detract from the streetscape. Therefore, external security shutters, grilles or meshes will not be supported.
  5. All ‘house-style’ signage should be sensitively adapted to the streetscape.
  6. Internally illuminated signs will not be supported. Signage should either be nonilluminated or externally illuminated, though ‘halo lit’ or illuminated letters may be acceptable if subservient to the general design.
  7. All lighting of shopfronts should minimise light pollution and harm to the natural environment. Excessive or bright lighting or 24-hour lighting of shopfronts that would cause harm to wildlife will not be supported.
  8. To preserve the local character and visual amenity, the plan will resist the installation of LCD displays in shop windows.
  9. Where possible timber fascias should be used on traditional shop fronts with either painted lettering or applied individual letters of another material.
  10. Excessive signage will not be supported and generally signage should be limited to one fascia sign and one projecting sign at ground level.

For more information please see the Neighbourhood Plan