Policy information sourced from the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1

CC1 - CONTEXT AND CHARACTER

Our approach

We will recognise the context and varied character of the borough’s places, and seek to ensure that all new development conserves and takes opportunities to enhance their special qualities and heritage.

We will achieve this by

  • Improving and promoting the appreciation of the character and qualities of the distinctive areas of the borough, by securing development that sensitively and creatively responds to an area’s character and by refusing poor quality design;
  • Sustaining and conserving those areas which have a high quality, well established and coherent character that is sensitive to change;
  • Enhancing those areas which have a medium quality, mixed character and which would benefit from sensitive improvement and intervention;
  • Transforming those areas which have a low quality, poorly defined character and/ or where an opportunity exists to establish a new coherent character, enhancing positive elements where they exist; and
  • Monitoring and updating the Urban Context and Character Study and ensuring the study informs any supplementary planning documents.

We will expect development proposals to

  • Have due regard to the Urban Context and Character Study and demonstrate how the proposal:
    • Responds to the design recommendations for each character area and urban type within which their development proposal is located.
    • Responds to the wider context and history of the area, its communities, its natural landscape and its urban structure, form and function.
    • Conserves and takes opportunities to enhance particular features or qualities that contribute to an area’s character, e.g. mature trees.
    • Provides opportunities to help form a new character or improve the poor aspects of an existing character that could benefit from enhancement; and
    • Responds to any local architectural vernacular that contributes to an area’s character, for example bay windows.

For more information please see the Hounslow Local Plan Part 1