Policy information sourced from Lewisham Development Management Local Plan
DM Policy 19 Shopfronts, signs and hoardings
Shopfronts should be designed to a high quality and reflect and improve the character and quality of their surroundings. This will be achieved by the following:
- retention of high quality shop fronts both within and outside Conservation Areas. This includes retention of original fascias, pilasters and columns including where shop units are combined. Where retention is not possible replacements should use high quality materials and use a design appropriate to the period and character of the building
- new shopfronts and the replacement of non-period shopfronts should use high quality materials and use a design that relates well to the proportion, scale and detailing of the entire host building and makes a positive contribution to the streetscape. Where possible existing original pilasters, brackets and fascias should be retained and new shopfronts should relate well to these features
- new shop signs should relate successfully to the architectural features and detailing of the building. Architectural features such as cornices, pilasters and columns should not be obscured
- provision of separate access to any residential accommodation on other floors and encourage the restoration of such access if already removed
- provision of suitable access for people with disabilities in new shop fronts
- provision of storage for refuse bins where possible
- refuse permission for advertisements, banners, blinds, canopies and awnings that are considered to adversely affect the amenity and character of an area or adversely impact on public safety
- roller grilles and shutters for security purposes should be of an open mesh variety leaving the shop window visible, with the box for any grille or shutter contained behind the fascia where possible
- within Conservation Areas and residential areas, internally illuminated box fascia signs and projecting signs will not be permitted unless they are successfully related to the design and detailing of the building and positively contribute to the special character of a group of buildings or the street
- refusing permission for open shopfronts without a traditional glazed screen that break up the visual continuity of a shopping frontage.
Where applications require a new shopfront, in addition to new residential or commercial units, an appropriate level of shopfront fit out will be sought.
For more information please see the Local Plan