Policy information sourced from the Sutton Local Plan 2016-2031

28: Character and Design

The council will grant planning permission for new development, including new buildings, alterations and extensions, provided the new development:

a. Is attractive, designed to the highest standard, especially with regard to architectural detailing, and uses high-quality materials.

b. Respects the local context and responds to local character and heritage assets.

c. Is of a suitable scale, massing and height to the setting of the site and/or townscape.

d. Seeks to improve an area of poor character.

e. Makes a positive contribution to the street frontage, streetscene and / or public realm, such as using railings and low walls where practicable.

f. Is inclusive and accessible for all and improves movement through areas with direct, accessible and easily recognisable routes.

g. Is secure and designed to minimise crime and anti-social behaviour.

h. Is robust and flexible in use.

i. Responds to natural features and retains trees, hedges and other landscape features and spaces of amenity value, where possible.

j. Is not dominated by car and cycle parking.

k. Creates attractive, functional and clearly defined public and private space.

l. Protects any important local views and creates new ones wherever possible.

m. Carefully integrates building services equipment and, in industrial areas, operating equipment.

n. Maintains the setting and visual amenity of the Green Belt, Metropolitan Open Land, Public Open Space and Urban Green Space.

Opportunities for the removal of poor townscape and its replacement by development of an improved quality and scale will be pursued.

For Green Belt, MOL, Public Open Space and Urban Green Space Maps see Appendix 5, Maps 5.1 to 5.25 and Policies Map.

Landscaping and Trees

o. New development, where appropriate, should:

  1. Make provision for suitable new planting, trees and boundary treatments, taking into account the future effects of climate change.
  2. Incorporate well-designed soft and hard landscaping.

p. Where trees are present on a proposed development site:

  1. A landscaping scheme should be submitted alongside the planning application which makes provision for the retention of existing trees, recognising their existing habitat, that are important by virtue of their significance within the local landscape.
  2. Their significance may be as a result of their size, form and maturity, or because they are rare or unusual. Younger trees that have the potential to add significant value to the landscape character in the future should also be retained where possible.
  3. The retention should be reflected in the proposed development layout, allowing sufficient space for new and young trees to grow to maturity, both above and below ground.
  4. Where existing trees are felled prior to permission for development being sought, the council may require replacement planting as part of any permission granted.
  5. The council will require compliance with latest arboricultural or silvicultural standards in respect of any tree works or development near to trees.
  6. The type and quantity of trees should also be considered with regard to a changing climate and the need to provide mitigation for that change.

Areas of Taller Building Potential

q. The Mayor of London requires boroughs to identify Areas of Taller Building Potential. In addition to being located within the areas the council has identified and the requirements of character and design set out above, taller buildings will be expected to:

  • be of exemplar design and make a positive contribution to the quality of the local and wider townscape and skyline.
  • integrate visually with the townscape and streetscape, particularly in terms of an active ground floor frontage.
  • include a mix of functions that are widely used by the public (such as gyms or retail outlets) in order to ensure the successful integration into the local area, where practicable.
  • ensure safe, attractive and comfortable amenity/open spaces designed to support social interaction and cohesion and engender a sense of place in predominantly residential developments.
  • protect the setting of any designated heritage assets and the overall historic character than makes an area distinctive and special.
  • protect the amenity of neighbours and surrounding occupiers.

For Areas of Taller Building Potential see Appendix 7, Maps 7.1 to 7.9 and Policies Map

Advertisements

r. The council will not grant permission for advertisements that are detrimental to the visual quality of the borough or do not meet safety requirements. In particular, advertisements must respect the design of the building on which they are erected and the character and amenity of the surrounding area.

All development will also be expected to comply with the guidance set out in the council’s Urban Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document or its successor document.

For more information please see the Local Plan 2016-2031