Policy information sourced from the Harrow Development Management Policies

DM 1: Achieving a High Standard of Development

All development and change of use proposals must achieve a high standard of design and layout. Proposals which fail to achieve a high standard of design and layout, or which are detrimental to local character and appearance, will be resisted.

The assessment of the design and layout of proposals will have regard to:

  • the massing, bulk, scale and height of proposed buildings in relation to the location, the surroundings and any impact on neighbouring occupiers;
  • the appearance of proposed buildings, including but not limited to architectural inspiration, detailing, roof form, materials and colour, entrances, windows and the discreet accommodation of external services;
  • the context provided by neighbouring buildings and the local character and pattern of development;
  • the provision of appropriate space around buildings for setting and landscaping, as a resource for occupiers and to secure privacy and amenity;
  • the need to retain or enhance existing landscaping, trees, biodiversity or other natural features of merit;
  • the functionality of the development including but not limited to the convenience and safety of internal circulation, parking and servicing (without dominating the appearance of the development) and the appearance, capacity, convenience, logistics and potential nuisance of arrangements for waste, recycling and composting; and
  • the arrangements for safe, sustainable and inclusive access and movement to and within the site.

Privacy and Amenity Considerations

All development and change of use proposals must achieve a high standard of privacy and amenity. Proposals that would be detrimental to the privacy and amenity of neighbouring occupiers, or that would fail to achieve satisfactory privacy and amenity for future occupiers of development, will be resisted.

The assessment of privacy and amenity considerations will have regard to:

  • the prevailing character of privacy and amenity in the area and the need to make effective use of land;
  • the overlooking relationship between windows and outdoor spaces;
  • the distances between facing windows to habitable rooms and kitchens;
  • the relationship between buildings and site boundaries (applying the Council’s 45 degree code where relevant);
  • the visual impact of development when viewed from within buildings and outdoor spaces (applying the Council’s 45 degree code where relevant);
  • the adequacy of light and outlook within buildings (habitable rooms and kitchens) and outdoor spaces (applying the Council’s 45 degree code where relevant);
  • the adequacy of the internal layout of buildings in relation to the needs of future occupiers and any impact on neighbouring occupiers;
  • the impact of proposed use and activity upon noise, including hours of operation, vibration, dust, air quality and light pollution; and
  • the need to provide a satisfactory quantum and form of amenity space for future occupiers of residential development.

Other Planning Considerations

Development which would prejudice the future development of other parts of the site, adjoining land, or which would frustrate the delivery of adopted plans and allocated sites, will be resisted.

For more information please see the Development Management Policies