Policy information sourced from the Kingston Upon Thames Core Strategy
DM 10 Design Requirements for New Developments (including House Extensions)
Development proposals will be required to incorporate principles of good design. The most essential elements identified as contributing to the character and local distinctiveness of a street or area which should be respected, maintained or enhanced include the following:
- prevailing development typology, including housing types, sizes and occupancy
- prevailing density of the surrounding area
- scale, layout, height, form (including roof forms), massing
- landscape setting and features
- plot width and format which includes spaces between buildings
- building line build up, set back and front boundary
- typical details and key features such as roof forms, window format, building materials and design detailing of elevations, existence of grass verges etc.
Development proposals should also:
- ensure adequate private and/or communal amenity space
- incorporate sustainable design and construction requirements
- incorporate the principles of safe design to reduce the risk and fear of crime, e.g. natural surveillance, appropriate levels of lighting
- have regard to the amenities of occupants and neighbours, including in terms of privacy, outlook, sunlight/daylight, avoidance of visual intrusion and noise and disturbance
- have regard to local traffic conditions and highway safety and ensure they are not adversely affected
- protect the quality, character, scale and skylines of sensitive areas and safeguard strategic and local views
- provide car parking in accordance with the standards in the London Plan
- ensure provision of public access through all major developments and areas of regeneration to ensure they are socially inclusive and accessible to all users
- ensure landscaping is an integral part of the overall design of all new developments and that landscaping proposals are submitted as part of planning applications
- have regard to the public realm and to ways in which it can be enhanced as an integral part of the design of the development
- ensure car parking has minimal impact on design and layout and avoid environments that are unduly dominated by cars
- make adequate provision for waste facilities, including recycling facilities, and to ensure that these are located (a) where they cause minimal adverse impact on the amenities of the local area, particularly sensitive areas like conservation areas and (b) where they can be adequately accessed and serviced
- avoid locating structures, including, e.g. telecommunications equipment, building plant, advertisements and signs where they will be visually intrusive and likely to result in an adverse effect on the character and visual amenities of the local and wider area
- optimise housing output consistent with the local context in accordance with London Plan policies
In addition to the above requirements, the Council will have particular regard to the significant contribution that existing private residential gardens make to:
- the Borough’s suburban character and distinctive local context
- the provision of valuable private amenity space
- biodiversity and the natural and green environment
- reducing the impacts of flooding and climate change
The Council will expect new development to ensure that trees that are important to the character of the area or covered by Tree Preservation Orders are not adversely affected. Where trees are to be lost through development the Council will normally require the planting of two specimens for each tree lost. The Council will refuse applications that adversely impact upon the leafy character of the Borough where commensurate appropriate replacement is not provided.
Further detailed guidance relating to residential developments will be included in the Residential Design SPD. The Borough’s character and local context area is appraised in the Borough Character Study.
For more information please see the Kingston Upon Thames Core Strategy