Policy CL2 requires all new development in Kensington and Chelsea to be of high quality, with a focus on architectural and urban design. This applies to all new developments, and the council will resist developments that do not meet these standards. The council will support developments that achieve high design quality, as evidenced by design awards or Building for Life Assessments.
Plain-English summary of the adopted policy text below. The full text is the rule; this is the gist.
The Council will require all development to be of th taking opportunities to improve the quality and cha functions.
To deliver this the Council will:
a. require development to be:
i. Functional - fit for purpose and legible;
ii. Robust - well built, remain in good condition demography and climate;
iii. Attractive - pleasing in its composition, mate
iv. Locally distinctive - responding well to its co
v. Sustainable - in the use of resources, includi
vi. Inclusive - accessible to all;
vii. Secure - designs out crime.
88 ‘By Design: urban design in the planning system towa
89 Vitruvius proposed that the creations of architecture s
venustas. These were rendered into English in 1624 by delight’. It is difficult to better this description, but we ha century.
od design in the built environment are character, public realm, ease of movement, legibility, ncil believes the three criteria set by Vitruvius: e a timeless assessment of good design, and can n of a chair, to a building, or part of a city89.
thetics. Functional issues such as crime must be integrated into the design at the outset in se. This approach will ensure that final
esign and applies to all levels of development. It n process from the beginning. The Local Plan as a mental and economic sustainability. In terms of use of resources. Detailed policies in this regard nvironmental Limits’.
Borough vary from large buildings such as the to the terraces, squares, crescents to the relative with the garden squares, give a unique character e striking juxtapositions of buildings of different ew buildings and extensions would therefore not g the design of adjacent buildings will be more rary approach will work, depending on the variety ing context.
he highest architectural and urban design quality, aracter of buildings and the area and the way it
and adaptable to changes of use, lifestyle,
erials and craftsmanship; ontext; ing energy, in construction and operation;
ards better practice, CABE, 1 May 2000 should display three qualities: utilitas, firmitas and Sir Henry Wotton as ‘commodity, firmness and ave used more conventional language for the 21st
b. require an appropriate architectural style on a si
i. the context of the site;
ii. the building’s proposed design, form and use
iii. whether the townscape is of uniform or varie
Heritage Assets - Conservation Areas
22.3.18
The historic environment is central to the duty90 to pay special attention to the des or appearance of conservation areas.
22.3.19
The character and appearance of a cons quality and appearance of individual buil between them but it is also gained from into and out of the area. Therefore devel on views, gaps and vistas and other cha conservation area appraisal documents, character and appearance of the area is
22.3.20
Where the quality of an area has been e
Council will take steps to ensure that new streetscape works improve the environm
22.3.21
In addition, a building’s use can contribu a sense of place. The borough contains residential neighbourhoods, which offer street scene and add to the vitality and c diminishes the character of the townscap diversity of the area. The Council will tak when assessing character.
22.3.22
The partial or full demolition of a heritage building or unlisted structure of historic o damage to the character and appearanc caused will therefore be carefully weighe However, as heritage assets are irreplac convincing justification. Substantial harm would be exceptional while that to the hi exceptional.
22.3.23
As the majority of the borough is covered opportunities for new development beca fabric, whether it faces the street or not, the conservation area. New buildings sh of the conservation area. There have be premature demolition in conservation are being allowed to deteriorate, followed by measures available to it to ensure that th
22.3.24
As the character and appearance of a co of developments, outline planning applic full detailed applications are needed.
90 s.72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservati
ite by-site basis, in response to:
e; ed character.
s And Historic Places
e character of the borough and the Council has a sirability of preserving or enhancing the character
servation area is not only provided by the high ldings within the area and the interrelationship whole and partial street views as well as views lopment that impacts setting, including the effect aracter and appearance issues identified in , needs to be assessed to ensure that the s conserved.
eroded, whether or not in a conservation area, the w development and other schemes such as ment.
ute to the character of a conservation area and to a scatter of incidental mixed uses within its variety, surprise and delight. These punctuate the character of a conservation area. Their loss pe, the cherished local scene and the vitality and ke account of the nature of the current or last use
e asset, or its alteration, whether it be a listed or architectural merit, can cause irreversible ce of our high quality townscape. The harm ed up against any public benefit that might result. ceable, any harm or loss requires clear and m to or the loss of a listed building, park or garden ighest designated heritage assets would be wholly
d by conservation areas, there are limited ause the presumption is to retain the original built where it contributes positively to the character of hould contribute to the character and appearance een a number of instances of inappropriate or eas. There have also been examples of buildings y demolition. The Council will take all appropriate here is no incentive for such action.
onservation area can be dependent on the detail cations are insufficient within a conservation area;
ion Areas Act) 1990.