Policy DH1
Built environment
All development within the borough, should create a high-quality urban environment that respects and enhances its townscape context and heritage assets. There should be an approach to accessible and inclusive urban design that demonstrates how good design, high quality public realm and landscaping, heritage assets and land use can be integrated to help regenerate places.
New build development will be permitted if it is of a high standard of design and compatible with the scale and character of existing development and its setting. All proposals must be designed to respect:
a) the historical context and townscape setting of the site, and its sense of place;
b) the scale, mass, form and grain of surrounding development and connections to it;
c) the relationship of the proposed development to the existing townscape, including the local street pattern, local landmarks and the skyline;
d) the local design context, including the prevailing rhythm and articulation of frontages, local building materials and colour, and locally distinctive architectural detailing, and thereby promote and reinforce local distinctiveness;
e) good neighbourliness and the principles of residential amenity;
f) the local landscape context and where appropriate should provide high quality landscaping and public realm with good permeability;
g) sustainability objectives; including adaptation to, and mitigation of, the effects of climate change;
h) the principles of accessible and inclusive design; and
i) the principles of Secure by Design.
8.0 The council is committed to promoting excellence in urban design in all development in the borough. This includes consideration of both buildings and open spaces and the relationship between the two; a balance between the need for neighbourliness and the scope for design freedom. New development should embrace sustainable design principles and contribute positively to the public domain at all levels; improving legibility and permeability, respecting the overall height and form of neighbouring development, its massing as well as its rhythm and articulation of facades.
8.1 Applicants to consider urban design in a wide context. It is not just about the design and materials of individual buildings. There should be a holistic approach to design that considers what makes a place function and how buildings, public realm, land uses and movement patterns can combine to produce attractive, distinctive and safe areas that achieve the highest standards. The council will expect all development proposals to provide an inclusive and accessible environment that meets the needs of all users.
Character of the borough
8.2 Much of the character of the borough is heavily influenced by a variety of historical, landscape and architectural assets and new development should be informed by, and developed from, a considered analysis of the surrounding townscape, including the setting and role of the site within the local environment. Where appropriate, this analysis should be carefully laid out and fully explained in the Design and Access Statement accompanying the planning application.
8.3 The borough benefits from a traditional streetscape that is largely human in scale. This should be maintained in new development and where appropriate the council will seek this form of design in new development proposals. Buildings should have a visual identity appropriate to their location and use. The aim is not to stifle innovation but to promote or reinforce local distinctiveness. All development should be human in scale, and be designed with details and materials that complement the local area.
Heritage assets
8.4 There is a wide range of heritage assets in the borough including those of national importance, such as listed buildings and the Fulham Palace Moated Site. Others are of borough importance, including archaeological priority areas (Appendix 2) and locally listed buildings of merit. However, whether they are of national or local importance, they should be considered in all developments in accordance with the policies of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the associated Historic England Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide.
8.5 The council will encourage development which visually enhances the borough, and avoids harm by ensuring that the bulk and massing of schemes are appropriate in relation to the surroundings. In the general assessment of bulk and massing, full consideration will be given to amenities of neighbouring properties against Planning Standards included in the Mayor of London's Housing SPG [1] .
8.6 All the above policy criteria must be considered in relation to the existing fabric of the borough and in particular the context of the development site. Much of the borough is of a traditional character reflected in the number of conservation areas. The finer grain and traditional form of much of the borough requires a particular design approach and, in many streets, there is a strong pattern of development in existence which derives much of its character from the uniform appearance of the streetscape.
Regeneration areas
8.7 It is recognised that new build development within areas experiencing substantial change in the borough, such as regeneration and opportunity areas, provide the opportunity to create a high quality architectural character, and sense of place which would add to the boroughs townscape character. It will be important for the design of such sites to be informed by the character of the surrounding environment, and the role of the site within a wider context. Larger schemes should connect to their surroundings, allowing permeability through the site and providing a high quality public realm. Larger schemes should aim to meet the criteria outlined in the Building for Life Assessment.
8.8 Where appropriate, new development should contribute to an improved and more legible public realm. The council promotes a high standard of design for the public realm in its design guidance (TfL Streets Toolkit and the Riverside Walk Enhancement Report). These documents encourage reduced clutter and promote high standards of design in the public realm, which is harmonious with, and enhances, the local area thereby reinforcing local distinctiveness.
Inclusive and accessible design
8.9 All new development will need to be inclusive and accessible to the whole community, and designed to minimise opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour. A large proportion of the public realm is public highway, and works should follow the guidance documents within Transport for London's (TfL) Streets Toolkit [2] .
8.10 In its consideration of proposed new development, the council will seek to ensure that developments are sustainable, durable and adaptable. Designs should deliver safe and inclusive environments. All development should be sited, designed and laid out to offer ease of entry, egress and use by disabled people, and for parents of small children and others with needs for an environment which is accessible and inclusive.
Fire safety
8.11 Approval may be required under the Building Regulations to make sure that buildings are constructed or adapted in the right way, and with suitable materials. In particular, Fire Regulations have to be checked both from a structural aspect and also to ensure fast and easy escape from a building. Building regulations are completely separate from planning control and approval under them does not mean that planning
[1] Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance | London City Hall
[2] Streets toolkit - Transport for London