Character and Appearance of the Area. Policy CS1.B of the Harrow Core Strategy (2012), policies 7.4 and 7.6 of The London Plan (2011) and saved policy D4 of the Harrow Unitary Development Plan (2004) require that new development should have a high standard of design and layout and should complement the context in which it is located. The site is within the setting of Roxeth Hill Conservation Area (Roxeth Corner), the Harrow on the Hill Area of Special Character and is within the setting of the locally listed Half Moon Public House. The site is in a prominent location, so the design of the building plays important role in its impact on these features Saved policy EP31 of the Harrow Unitary Development Plan describes Area of Special Character as “These areas are important strategically for their architectural or historic interest, their high landscape value and townscape quality.” The Roxeth Hill Character Appraisal describes Roxeth Corner as an entrance into the conservation area. Policy CS1.D of the emerging Core Strategy states that proposals that would harm the integrity or setting of heritage assets will be resisted. Given the site’s prominent location the proposal would be very visible from the Conservation Area, Area of Special Character and Half Moon Public House. The previously-proposed flat-roofed three-storey building has been revised such that the current proposal would have dormers in the front roofslope, which is more sympathetic to the important view indicated on the map showing ‘Key Views’ on page 11 of the Roxeth Hill Character Appraisal. In dismissing an appeal against an earlier proposal, the Inspector noted that the site was separated from the Conservation Area by the highway and the nature of the proposed development would not affect the setting of the Conservation Area. In this case, the only significant change to the external appearance of the property would be the provision of front and side dormer windows, the single-storey rear extensions and the first floor rear extensions. These would appear as modest additions to the property. The rear extensions would not be visible from the Conservation Area, and extensions with greater depth were considered acceptable in terms of the character and appearance of the area by previous Inspectors. Given the immediate context of the proposal, which currently comprises a large pitched roofed pair of buildings adjacent to a three-storey flat- roofed building, there is a clear vernacular that would not be compromised by these dormers. The...
Character and Appearance of the Area. Policy CS1.B of the Harrow Core Strategy (2012), policies 7.4 and 7.6 of The London Plan (2011) and saved policy D4 of the Harrow Unitary Development Plan (2004) require that new development should have a high standard of design and layout and should complement the context in which it is located. The application site is an area in which no one architectural style prevails. The application proposes a building that would have the appearance of two linked two- storey buildings with accommodation in the roofspace arranged such that the building line reflects the curve in Headstone Lane fronting the site. The proposed development would not be higher than surrounding properties, and each of the two substantive elements would be of a scale and bulk that is commensurate with development in the area. The building lines of the structure have been designed to reflect the curve in the road and adjoining properties at 252-254 and 242-000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx such that the proposal would not result in an unduly prominent feature in this location. The proposal does introduce some features that are not prevalent in the area such as front and side dormers, and the link feature between the two full-height elements. This is not fully in accordance with advice given by officers at the pre-application stage, which expressed a preference for two self-contained blocks. However, it is noted that the central link would be a subservient feature compared to the two full-height sections. This would serve to break up the overall bulk of the building, and the angling of the two sections would further mitigate the appearance of bulk and addresses the pattern of development in the area. Outline details, but no samples, of the proposed materials for the development have been supplied, although the application form states that the walls would be facing brickwork and three-course contrasting brick band with tiling on the roof. It is therefore recommended that this be addressed by way of a suitable condition to ensure that the materials used on all external surfaces respect those of adjacent properties and would be appropriate in this location. The submitted drawings show some indicative landscaping and boundary treatments. Policy 5.10 of The London Plan and saved policy D9 of the Harrow Unitary Development Plan require new developments to enhance forecourt greenery and streetside greenness. Therefore, suitable landscaping conditions for the whole of the site are recommended. It is noted that the ...
