barn hill conservation area - bhra · 2.7 windows, doors and joinery 7 2.8 window repair 7 2.9...

Barn Hi l l Conserva t ion AreaDes ign Guide

Practical advice and informationon making repairs and improvementsto your home that maintain thecharacter of Barn Hill.

Contentspage

1.0 Introduction 1.1 What makes Barn Hill special? 2

1.2 Who is this guide for? 4

1.3 What is a Conservation Area? 4

1.4 What is an Article 4 Direction? 4

1.5 What requires planning permission 4

1.6 Repairs and alterations “In keeping” with the area 5

1.7 Specialist help 5

2.0 Building repairs2.1 Repairing and repointing brickwork 6

2.2 Roughcast render 6

2.3 Half timbering 7

2.4 Tile hanging 7

2.5 Paint and other wall coverings 7

2.6 Paint removal and cleaning brickwork 7

2.7 Windows, doors and joinery 7

2.8 Window repair 7

2.9 Window replacement 8

2.10 Roofs 8

2.11 Chimneys 8

3.0 Gardens3.1 Front gardens walls and boundaries 9

3.2 Driveways 9

3.3 Ramps for people with disabilities 9

3.4 Trees 9

page

4.0 Architectural details4.1 Decorative features and details 10

4.2 Paintwork 10

4.3 Satellite dishes and aerials 11

4.4 Gas, electricity and water services boxes and burglar alarms 11

4.5 Rainwater gutters and drainpipes 11

5.0 Extensions5.1 Rear extensions 12

5.2 Side extensions 14

5.3 Sites of extra control 15

5.4 Dormers, rooflights and alterations to the roof 15

5.5 Front doors, porches and canopies 16

5.6 Conservatories 16

5.7 Porches 17

5.8 Garages 17

6.0 Getting permission6.1 Planning permission 18

6.2 Conservation Area consent 18

6.3 Building regulations approval 18

6.4 How to apply 18

7.0 Explanation of technical terms 19

8.0 Contact details 20

B A R N H I L L C O N S E R V A T I O N A R E A D E S I G N G U I D E 1

1.0 Introduction

The Borough Council with the support of English Heritage decided to make Barn Hill

into a Conservation Area in March 1990. In 1995 the Council decided to apply extra

planning controls to the houses whose numbers are shown in bold below – these

controls are known as an Article 4 Direction. The controls are used to help the Council

guide the way in which repairs and improvements are carried out.

Properties in the Conservation Area

Barn Hill: 1-99, 2-46, 46a, b, c, 48-88, & Barn House.Barn Rise: 3-53, 55-73, 2-50, 52-60, 62-66.Barn Way: 1-35, 37-69, 2-48, 50-76.Basing Hill: 1-55, 2-70.Beverley Gardens: 1-55, 2-58.Brampton Grove: 1-37, 2-28, 46-64.Charlton Road: 1-12.Corringham Road: 1-53, 2-42.East Hill: 1-31, 2-18.Eversley Avenue: 1-33, 2-34.Forty Avenue: 1-18 (Grand Parade).Grendon Gardens: 1-7, 15-45, 2-10, 12a, 12-34.Mayfields: 1-41, 2-40.Mayfields Close: 1-16 (consecutive, inc.).Midholm: 1-11, 15-23, 2-26, 28-32.The Crossways: 1-29, 2-32.West Hill: 43-71, 66-104, 106.Wickliffe Gardens: 1-9, 2-12.

1.1 What makes Barn Hill special?

Barn Hill has a unique setting on the side of a hill overlooking Wembley stadium and

the town centre and further on to Harrow on the Hill. This enviable position coupled

with the architectural quality of the mock-Tudor houses establishes the area’s very

special character. The relationship between the layout of the roads and the positioning

of the houses sets the area apart from other residential areas. Houses at crossroads are

designed and detailed to be part of a wider streetscape with decorative chimneys and

elevations of individual houses contributing to the setting of the junctions.

There are historic references to the Barn Hill area from as early as 1547 at which time

the area was known as Bardonhill. However, the most significant period for the area was

in the late eighteenth century when the area formed part of the Uxendon Estate owned

by the Page family. The family engaged Humphry Repton, a celebrated landscape

designer of the time, to remodel the landscape of the Barn Hill area. Before the area

was finally purchased for housing development in 1926, the hill had been part of a golf

course that had benefited from the features that Repton had established.

2 B A R N H I L L C O N S E R V A T I O N A R E A D E S I G N G U I D E

MIDHOLM

EAST

HILL

BRAMPTO

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BASING H

ILL

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AY

BAR

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ISE

BARN HILL

BARN HILL

WEST HILL

BEV

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AR

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GRENDON GARDENS

BARN WAY

FORTY LANE

EVERSLEY AVENUE

THE CROSSWAYS

KIN

GS

DR

IVE

BA

RN

HIL

L

WICKLIFFE GARDENS

GRENDON GARDENS

FORTY AVENUE

BA

RN

RIS

E

EVERSLEY AVENUE

THE AVENUE

THE CROSSWAYS

COR

RIN

GH

AM R

OAD

MAYFIELDS CLOSE

BARNRISE

BARN WAY

MAY

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WEST HILL

WEST CLOSE

RO

AD

CHARLTON

THEAVENUE

ELMSTEAD

AVENUECARLTONAVEN

UE

EAST

52

32

BrentTownHall

The Century TavernPreston ManorHigh School

Barn Hill Open Space

46.0m

44.5m

LB

Tennis Courts

North

Wealdstone

Brook

Buildings not subject tothe Article 4 Direction

Conservation Area Boundary

BASING HILL

The Barn Hill Conservation AreaThe Barn Hill Conservation Area



1.2 Who is this Guide for?

This Guide is for residents, consultants and builders working in the Barn Hill

Conservation Area. It contains practical advice and information, to help you make repairs

and improvements to your home that maintain the character of the area. Alterations that

are out of keeping with the original appearance of the houses and streets can spoil the

quality of the environment and reduce the desirability of the area forever.

The Council can do much to lead in the protection of the Area, but residents need to

care for their own homes with the attention to detail shown by the original designers. We

share a duty to protect the special character of the area, not only for today’s residents

and visitors, but also for those of tomorrow. As a resident, it is in your interest to keep

the special character of your home and area. Usually, houses in well-maintained

Conservation Areas have a greater value than those outside. You are affected by extra

planning controls because your home is in the Barn Hill Conservation Area. There are

many Conservation Areas throughout the country all with different characters and

building types. However, it is only the areas where the residents are actively involved in

conservation that are successful.

1.3 What is a Conservation Area?

If the Local Planning Authority (which in Brent is the Planning Service) thinks an area

has special architectural and historic character, which should be preserved, or

enhanced, it can designate an area a statutory Conservation Area. This enables the

Council to influence the kind of changes that happen in the area. The law is set down in

the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

1.4 What is an Article 4 Direction?

An Article 4 Direction is a regulation which gives extra legal protection to a Conservation

Area. The Council has placed an Article 4 Direction on the Barn Hill Conservation Area

because of its extra special character, (please see map). This gives part of the Council

more control over alterations to houses and gardens. Extra planning controls apply to the

faces of houses that can be seen from the street – this means that you will have to apply

for planning permission for the type of building work listed in 1.5. However, in an area

covered by an Article 4 Direction the Council currently does not charge a fee for deciding

Planning or Conservation Area Consent applications.

1.5 What requires planning permission?(Article 4 Direction Area)

■ Building an extension – including a porch, conservatory or garage, or any otherstructure such as a garden shed, supports for an oil tank, outbuilding orswimming pool.

■ Making any alteration to the roof – this includes changing the slates or tiles andputting in dormers or rooflights.

■ Any new paved surface to the front of your house for hardstanding. This includesa paved area in your front garden to park your car.

■ Removing, replacing or altering windows and doors. You would also needpermission to put a new window or door opening into an existing front wall.

■ Building, altering or removing gates, fences, walls or other types of boundary. Andthe creation of a drop kerb.

■ Painting the woodwork of the house in a non-traditional colour. This includeswindows, doors and doorframes.

■ Painting the render or brickwork on external walls.

■ Fixing a satellite dish or aerial to your house.

■ Demolition or alteration of a chimney

1.6 Repairs and alterations in keeping with the Area

There are many reasons why people want to make changes to their home. Repairs and

alterations may be necessary due to weathering; families may need more space and

new owners may wish to personalise their home.

Living in a Conservation Area does not mean that you cannot make alterations toyour home. But it does mean that the changes that you may wish to make mustpreserve or enhance the character or appearance of your home and the area.

The houses in the Conservation Area were built in a wide variety of designs. However,

they all blend together because similar building materials, similar overall sizes and

architectural details were used. This unity gives the area its unique character.

Any alterations to individual buildings may affect the whole street scene if they

are not in keeping. The more random the alterations, the more seriously the Area may

be affected.

Some properties were altered before the strict controls of the Article 4 Direction

began. Where this has happened, we encourage residents to restore the original

appearance of their property.

In time, the character of the area will be enhanced and the value of individual homes

will increase. This Guide explains how you can ensure that any changes retain the

character of the area. It should answer many of the questions you may have, but if you

are in any doubt please contact the Council’s Planning Service for advice (see Contact

Details, page 20). Some of the technical terms you will come across are marked with

an asterix (*). These are explained on page 19.

1.7 Specialist help

To make repairs and alterations that preserve or restore the character of your property,

you may need to ask specialist suppliers and craftsmen for help. Some of the materials

and skills you will need may no longer be in common use and may take time to find.

Please check with the Council’s Planning Service if you are in any doubt – they will be

pleased to give you advice on where to look for specialist help. They can make sure that

the work you or your builder proposes to do is the best way to retain the character of

your home.

Specialist help need not cost more!We will always encourage you to repair rather than replace original features wherever

possible and repair is often a less expensive option.

The houses in the area were built to a very high standard. Original doors windows and

other features rarely need to be replaced if properly maintained. In a lot of cases many

doors and windows have survived for over 70 years and with some careful repair can

last for many years longer. Specialist services and supplies are sometimes more costly

than the mass-market, ready-made alternatives, but not always. However, many

residents view the expense as an investment. If you preserve or restore the original

appearance of your house, this can help to maintain, or even increase, its value.


2.0 Building repairs

You can avoid costly repairs by regular maintenance – for example, you should clear

blocked gutters, repaint woodwork regularly and refit roof tiles or slates when they come

loose. It will be much more expensive to carry out repairs if you leave problems to get

worse. However, where repairs are needed, it is important to use the right materials and

methods. Below, you will find some advice to help you carry out repairs to your home.

2.1 Repairing and repointing brickwork

Where bricks have spalled*, chipped or decayed, they should be cut out and replaced

with bricks of the same size texture and colour. The brick bond* should also be

matched exactly. You can either use second hand bricks from building salvage

suppliers or try a specialist brick manufacturer or supplier. The houses in the area were

built using Imperial* size bricks, which are not difficult to find; they can be obtained

new and second-hand. It is in your interest to carry out repointing to the highest

standards. Poor repointing work can make the brickwork decay more quickly.

Firstly, you should rake out loose and decayed mortar by hand using a hammer and

chisel. Do not use grinders! Apply new mortar to the open brick joints with a suitable

pointing trowel. The mortar should match the colour and texture of the original.

Generally, we recommend that you use a lime based mortar. Take care not to let mortar

spread over the faces of the bricks. The Council’s Planning Service can give you advice

on repointing.

2.2 Roughcast and render

Do not remove roughcast* or render from walls unless you have to do so for repair, in

which case you should replace it. Take care to match the existing colours and texture.

You will need to find out the composition of the roughcast or render before you can

choose the right material for repair. The Council’s Planning Service will be able to advise

you. Where possible rendered surfaces should be left natural and not painted.


2.3 Half timbering

Half timbering* is an important part of the character of some houses. This should

always be retained and repaired where possible. Replacement timbers should look

exactly like the originals and be painted or stained to match.

2.4 Tile hanging

Some houses have areas of tile hanging, which are standard plain clay roof tiles applied

to the walls on timber battens. Sometimes, bands of specially shaped tiles are added.

Tile hanging can easily be repaired or replaced if necessary. Make sure that new tiles

match the plain clay originals.

2.5 Paint and other wall coverings

Please do not paint original brickwork or cover it with artificial finishes such as

artificial stone cladding or paint. In many cases paint, cladding or render may trap

moisture and cause serious damage to walls. If architectural details are covered over,

this can also spoil the appearance of the property and the street scene. You may need

planning permission to apply paint or other coverings to walls. Check with the Council’s

Planning Service.

2.6 Paint removal and cleaning brickwork.

In the past the original brickwork on some buildings has been covered over with paint,

it is usually possible to remove it. Please call the Planning Service for advice on how to

remove paint and clean the brickwork of your house.

2.7 Windows, doors and joinery

The original doors and windows on most houses in the Conservation Area are timber.

Some windows have steel opening casements*. Many have original drip rails* and

leaded lights*. These are an important part of the character of the houses and should

be retained. If leaded lights have been damaged, it is surprisingly inexpensive to have

them restored to their original condition. Replacement of timber windows with PVCu is

only acceptable if the replacements can match the originals exactly. However PVCu is

a serious polluter and is very difficult to dispose of.

2.8 Window repair

Please repair original windows and doors wherever possible. This will be cheaper than

replacing them and will make sure you keep the character of your house. Rotten areas

of sills*, jambs* and casements* can be cut out and replaced with new timber cut to

the same size and shape. This is a fairly quick and inexpensive way to repair your

windows and doors. Please call the Planning Service for advice on the best techniques

for this type of repair and contact addresses for joiners and carpenters who can help

you with the repairs. It is in your interests to get alternative quotes for this type of repair.


2.9 Window replacement

If you do need to replace doors or windows, ideally you should copy the original

exactly; it is unlikely that you will find standard off the shelf replacement frames that

will give a close enough match to your original windows. A good carpenter will be able

to make a replacement, using the original window or door as a pattern, so that any

detailing is not lost.

If you do wish to use PVCu or other metal windows you should choose replacements

that have the same overall arrangement as the original frames. Timber effect finishes

are not acceptable on PVCu and aluminium windows. In other words the new frames

should have the same number of uprights, the same number of horizontals and the

same number of glazing bars all in the same positions as the originals. Replacements

in materials other that timber must be a copy of 95% accuracy. It is the unique design

of the windows in the area, which makes it so special. Drip rails are an important

feature of windows in the Conservation Area and in general there are two types, one

with a plain sill* type section and another that is dentilated*. Poor window replacement

can have the biggest single impact on the area!

The Council recommends that these rails are manufactured in timber that is treated

with a preservative and bonded to the replacement transom. It is very difficult to

produce the level of detail required in a PVCu moulded or extruded drip rail. Any

glazing bars must be external and not sandwiched between double glazing units.

If you want the replacements to be double-glazed, you need to take extra care to

ensure they still look like the originals. New double glazed timber windows can usually

be made to match. Alternatively secondary glazing, if carefully fitted, will not spoil the

appearance of your home.

Most of the original windows in the area have either casement or sliding sash opening

lights – please do not substitute one style for another. Refit windows in their original

position. Windows should be set back into their original position within the depth of the

reveal*. Please do not change the original size of the original window opening.

In the Article 4 Directed area you will need planning permission to replace yourwindows (please check with the Council’s Planning Service).

2.10 Roofs

Most roofs in the area are covered in plain clay tiles. Problems are usually due to rotten

fixing nails or wooden battens. If you need to carry out repairs, it is usually possible to

re-use up to fifty percent of original tiles. Clay tiles come in many shapes and sizes. If

replacement is necessary, take care to match the colour, texture and size and materials

of the originals. Where Building Regulations require that the roof space should be

ventilated. The traditional method is ventilation from under the eaves and at the ridge;

do not use off the shelf plastic ventilator tiles. You will need planning permission tochange the roof covering to the front of your home.

2.11 Chimneys

There are many different styles of chimney in the Barn Hill Conservation Area. They

were built using coloured and decorative bricks and they are an important part of the

character of the area and must not be taken down or altered. Please keep your chimney

in good repair because if you need a new flue for a new central heating system it can

be run inside the existing chimney. You will need planning permission to make anyalteration to your chimney.


3.0 Gardens

3.1 Front gardens, walls and boundaries

The original front gardens in Barn Hill are a particularly attractive feature of the area.

Sadly, many of them have been paved over in recent years and boundary walls, hedges

and fences removed. The removal of the whole of front garden walls across the whole

width of the front plot is not acceptable. The Council will only permit 50% of yourfront garden to be hard surfaced. The remaining wall should be properly finished and

any new gates should be designed to suit the character of your home. Where possible

you should retain your front garden boundary walls and fences (if you have them) this

is the best way to preserve the character of Barn Hill. You will need planningpermission to build or demolish a front boundary wall, fence or hedge.

3.2 Driveways

You will need Planning permission for a new driveway or hardstanding in your frontgarden. You should ensure that you keep as much of your front garden as possible –

in any event, the Council will not give permission for proposals that remove more than

half of your garden.

3.3 Ramps for people with disabilities

Access ramps may be very necessary for some residents. However, please choose a

design and use materials that are in keeping with the area. You can soften the outline

of a ramp with planting. Any brickwork should match the bricks used for the house and

handrails are best painted a dark colour. You may need planning permission to builda ramp. Please check with the Council’s Planning Service who will be glad to offeradvice on the design of ramps.

3.4 Trees

Trees in Barn Hill are protected because they are in a designated Conservation Area.

You will need permission to carry out even the most minor of work to a tree. It is always

best to contact the Planning Service’s, Landscape Team for free advice on the best way

to protect the trees in your garden (see page 20).


4.0 Architectural detail

4.1 Decorative features and details

Haymills were the architects and builders of much of Barn Hill. They paid great

attention to the architectural details and decorations of the houses and there is quite a

variety to be seen – these include: console brackets*, string courses*, decorative

mouldings, terracotta details*, stained and leaded glass, carved timber work, roof tiles,

ridge tiles and chimney pots, bricks, tile window sills and projecting eaves. It is essential

to retain all original decorative features. Once lost, original details are rarely replaced.

Their removal can spoil the appearance of individual buildings and it is often the quality

of the decorative features of the individual houses that add to their value. Removal of

these individual features will eventually damage the whole street scene. If decorative

features on your house are beyond repair, a specialist will be able to make an exact

replica or a building materials salvage supplier may be able to trace an original

replacement. Houses with original architectural detailing will always have a better resale

potential. Please contact the Council’s Planning Service for advice.

4.2 Paintwork

Please choose colours for exterior paintwork carefully – colours should be traditional

and in keeping with the inter-war character of the area. Cream is preferable to white as

the main colour.

Dark, sober colours are acceptable for doors and sills. Before you start to paint,

please contact the Council’s Planning Service to check that the colour you want to use

is acceptable. You will need to apply for planning permission if you want to use non-

traditional colours. The Council will not give planning permission for garish or bold

colours, which will stand out and break the uniformity of the street scene.

1 0 B A R N H I L L C O N S E R V A T I O N A R E A D E S I G N G U I D E

4.3 Satellite dishes and aerials

Satellite dishes and aerials must be fixed to the back of houses. Do not place them

where they can be seen from the street, park or open spaces, or above the ridgeline

of your roof. In the Conservation Area, you will need planning permission to put a

satellite dish on your house. Please contact the Council’s Planning Service for advice.

You will not get permission to fix it to the front of your house. However, the cable

television provision to the Conservation Area should provide most people with the

facilities they require.

4.4 Gas, electricity and water services boxes and burglar alarms

Please keep existing traditional boxes if you can. Position modern gas, electricity and

water meter boxes so they are not too noticeable and please paint them a dark colour.

Try to make them blend in with the background. Burglar alarms should also be painted

a dark colour and located in a position that enables them to be a deterrent, but does

not dominate the front elevation of your home.

4.5 Gutters and drainpipes

It is essential to keep your gutters and drainpipes in good repair because leaks can

cause damp problems in walls, which may cause expensive problems inside your

home. The original gutters and drainpipes in the Conservation Area were cast iron. If

you need to replace your gutters and drainpipes you may be able to use painted

aluminium, which can look similar to cast iron. Check it matches the original and paint

it either black or another dark colour to match your paintwork. If you wish to install

black plastic rainwater goods, please retain decorative cast iron hopper heads.

B A R N H I L L C O N S E R V A T I O N A R E A D E S I G N G U I D E 1 1

5.0 Extensions

Most houses in Barn Hill were relatively modest in size. This means that, in most cases,

nothing other than a small extension will be acceptable. The Barn Hill area benefits

from its hilly character but the dramatic changes in level throughout the Conservation

Area mean that two storey rear extensions will not normally be permitted because they

will have a serious negative impact on your neighbour. You will need planning

permission for most extensions. However, you should consider the following points

before submitting your application:

■ Will your proposed changes add to or detract from the enjoyment of the wholearea by you, your neighbours and visitors?

■ How will the extension affect the overall shape of the house?The extension should not dominate the existing building or street scene.

■ Will the extension make the building too big in relation to the plot size?The extension should not spoil the original garden setting and should besubsidiary to the original house.

■ Usually, the extension should continue in the style of the original house but thePlanning Service may consider a high quality imaginative contemporary design.However, the proportions of the extension, position of doors, windows, and roofpitch should refer to the character of the area?

■ All door and window openings on the extension must be the same orcomplement the proportions of those on the original house.

■ New window frames and doors for new extensions should complement the characterof the original house. Originally windows and doors for the houses in Barn Hill weremanufactured using timber. Therefore, the best way to preserve the character ofyour home is to use timber windows and doors in your new extension.

■ Roofs on extensions should take the same general form as the roof on theoriginal house. Matching materials should be used.

■ Will the extension affect your neighbour’s view or daylight? You will need to findout the rules on this, which are contained in the Supplementary PlanningGuidance 5 leaflet.

■ Extensions to the side of the house should not fill the space between houses,because this creates a ‘terraced’ effect and changes the character of thestreetscape.

■ It is normally more acceptable to add an extension to the back of your housewhere it will not be seen from the street.

■ Brick bonds* on new building work should match the original and wherepossible, should tie into the existing brickwork. Eventually, the new brickworkwill weather down to blend in with the original.

■ You are encouraged to use materials that are environmentally sustainable toconstruct your extension. In particular, recycled bricks and roofing materials canbe cheaper and may match your original materials more easily. Further informationon sustainability is available in Supplementary Planning Guidance 19. You canget a copy from the Council’s Planning Service or our website (See page 20).

5.1 Rear extensions

Development in rear gardens can have a serious impact on the character of the

Conservation Area and the amenity of your neighbours. Therefore, you should comply

with the following standards:

■ Your new extension should not project further than 3.5 metres from the rear of adetached house, or 3 metres from the rear of a semi-detached house.

■ The height of your extension should be kept to the lowest practical level whilst stillcomplementing the character of the original house.

■ In some cases there may be differences in the levels of gardens, which maymean that your extension will have to be reduced in size to reduce its impact onyour neighbour. Where your extension covers the whole of the rear of your home,no elevation (face) should be higher than 3.0 metres from ground level adjacentto the rear wall of your home.

■ Where your extension is situated immediately adjacent to a neighbours’ rear baywindow, the depth of your extension is restricted by a line drawn at 90° from themid point of the angled face of the bay.



A full widthextension

A half width extension adjacentto a neighbour’s rear bay

No wider than width ofthe original house

3.0m(max)Height

3.0mHigh(max)

Depth of extensionrestricted to a pointat which the frontwall intersects with a line projectingfrom angled face ofneighbours bay.

Centreline frommid point of angledface of neighboursbay.

A full 3.5mdeep extension

3.5m(max)Depth

5.2 Side extensions

Side extensions have a direct impact on the character of the original house, the street

and the wider Conservation Area. Poorly designed extensions can change the character

of the Barn Hill Conservation Area from that of individual houses in separate garden

plots to one of almost terraced town houses – this is not acceptable. Extensions should

be designed to complement the original house and not impact on the amenity of your

immediate neighbours. The Council’s standards for side extensions are:

■ To preserve the important separation and views between houses you shouldmaintain a minimum gap of 2.0 metres. However, if this requirement wouldprevent the construction of an extension with practical internal room sizes thisrequirement may be reduced to 1.0 metres if the extension set back specified inthe following standard is increased to 1.5 metres.

■ The front elevation of the new extension should be set back from the frontelevation of the original house by at least 1.0 metre.

■ If you have an existing garage level with the front of your house you must set a first floor extension back at least 2.5 metres.


2.0m(min)

As narrow as possible whilststill providing a reasonablemodest internal room width(Approx 3.0m)

2.5m(max)

1.0m (min)1.0m (min)

A first floor extensionover an existing garage

A side extension adjacentto a neighbour’s housewhere a practicalinternal room widthis not achievable

A typical extension

1.5m(min)

1.0m (min)

5.3 Sites of extra control

Below is a list of houses in the Conservation Area that are situated on very important

road junctions and because of this, the original architects went to great lengths to

ensure that the elevations that faced on to these junctions were of a very high design

standard. The decorative chimneys and windows on these important faces should not

be covered over with new extensions:

Barn Hill: 3, 9, 11, 17, 19, 25, 27, 33, 35, 39, 41.Barn Rise: 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 34.Corringham Road: 12, 20.Grendon Gardens: 15.

5.4 Dormers, rooflights and alterations to the roof

Poorly designed alterations to the roof slope will damage the character of the area. If

you do want to put in a dormer window, it should be in keeping with the style and

proportions of the existing house and windows and you should use the same

construction materials as the original house. Place side dormers for internal stairs in an

appropriate position.

Unless alterations to the roof are carefully designed to comply with the following

guidelines, they will not gain planning permission.

■ Under no circumstances will front dormers be permitted in the Conservation Area.

■ Side dormers will be considered on a house to house basis and will have to beextremely carefully designed, as it is very difficult to detail this type of dormer.

■ Rear dormers should be designed to comply with the requirements ofSupplementary Planning Guidance 5 and, as with all other alterations in the area, should complement the character of the original house.

■ Rooflights are not permitted on the front elevation of the house. On the side andrear elevation there should be no more than one on each roof plane and shouldbe kept as small as possible. Rooflights should always be flush with the tiles.


/2 L1

/2 L1

/2 W1

Width at Mid point

0.25 (min)Hipped Roofs

0.5m (min)Gabled Roof

L = Length along hip Verge =(points A to B)

0.5m (min)All roof types

New dormers

5.5 Front doors and canopies

It is always best to retain your original front door and / or canopy in its original form.

The replacement of canopies with enclosed porches will not be allowed (see 5.7).

However, if you wish to change any of these items, you should ensure that the

replacements are detailed to match or complement the originals. So that the character

of front elevations of houses in the Conservation Area are not seriously eroded, the

Council will resist the infilling of open porches.

5.6 Conservatories

The houses in Barn Hill were never intended to have conservatories. However, if you do

want to add one, please design your conservatory to blend in with the main house.

A highly decorative so-called ‘Victorian’ conservatory will not look right with a simple

inter-war house design. Most conservatories do need planning permission.


5.7 Porches

You will need planning permission to build a porch or canopy. You will not get

permission unless it is carefully designed to be in keeping with the style of the

house. Where possible choose traditional materials to match the house if you intend to

use PVCu please take care to design the porch or canopy to suit the character of

your home.

5.8 Garages

If you want to build a garage or replace an existing one, the design must be in keeping

with the house. It should be set well back from the front wall of the house. Please

choose side-hinged, timber doors rather than metal ‘up-and-over’ doors and paint them

to match the paintwork on your house. The roof should usually be sloped to match the

roof of the house.


6.0 Getting permission

Whether you need permission depends on what you want to do. However, in many

cases you will need the permission of the Council before you make any changes to the

outside appearance of you house. You may be liable for prosecution if you carry out

work without permission.

■ The Article 4 Direction does not prevent you from altering or repairing yourhome. But it does allow the Council to give you advice about the best methods,designs and building materials to use. The aim is to preserve the originalcharacter of your home and neighbourhood and in turn the overall value, andmaybe saleability of your home.

■ It is very important to remember that the Article 4 Direction is legally binding.You must apply for planning permission for any of the work listed in Section1.5. The Council can take enforcement action against you if you carry out workwithout permission. It is always best to call the Planning Service to find outwhether you need to make an application.

6.1 planning permission

You should check with the Council’s Planning Service to find out if you need planning

permission. In many cases you will need planning permission to do work which outside

the Conservation Area would not need permission. This is because the area is covered

by an Article 4 Direction.

6.2 Conservation Area Consent

You may need Conservation Area Consent if you want to carry out any demolition work.

Please check beforehand with the Council's Planning Service. You will also need

permission to carry out any works to trees. There is a leaflet about this, published by

the Department of the Environment, available from the Council’s Planning Service.

6.3 Building Regulations Approval

You will need Building Regulations Approval for most alterations and extensions. You

will need to check with the Council’s Building Consultancy before you start the work.

Please remember that you may need Planning permission even if you do not require

Building regulations approval and you may require Building Regulation Approval even

if you do not require Planning permission.

6.4 How to apply for planning permission

You will need to fill in an application form and provide drawings of your house as it

exists and how it will look when work is completed. The clearer your drawings the

quicker your application can be processed. We recommend that a qualified architect

or similarly skilled professional do the drawings for you. Please contact the Council’s

Planning Service for application forms and advice on how to apply for the above

permissions.


7.0 Explanation of technical terms

Brick bond Arrangement of bricks in a wall, combining bricks laid lengthways

(stretchers) and bricks laid widthways (headers).

Casements The opening sections of window frame.

Console bracket A decorative wall bracket which supports a bay window, part of a

roof or other feature that projects out from the house.

Drip rails A sill like section mounted above the opening casements of windows to

shed water away from the opening when it is opened.

Dentils Bricks set at interval to produce a decorative band.

Eaves The junction of the wall and the lower edge of the roof.

Glazing bars The bars of wood or metal which separate individual glass panes in a

window.

Half-timber Often called ‘timber framing’, this means timbers applied vertically or

horizontally to the walls of houses as a decorative feature.

Hopper head A cast iron box for collecting rainwater, which feeds into

a drainpipe.

Imperial bricks The bricks used to build the Barn Hill houses, which are larger than

today’s metric bricks.

Jambs The side sections of a door or window frame.

Leaded light A window made of small pieces of glass joined by strips

of lead.

Parapet A section of a wall that projects above the eaves of a flat roof.

Roughcast Rendered wall finish with small stones added to the mixture.

Reveal The part of a wall that turns back towards the window frame in

its opening.

Sill The bottom section of a window frame that projects out from the wall to allow rain

to run away.

Spalled bricks Bricks that have lost their front faces through frost damage.

String course A projecting band of brickwork.

Terracotta details Specially shaped and moulded bricks used as decorative features.


8.0 Contact details

The Planning Service Brent House

349 High Road,

Wembley,

Middlesex, HA9 6BZ

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.brent.gov.uk/planning

Conservation adviceRegeneration Design team

Tel 020 8937 5018

Fax 020 8937 5207

Planning adviceNorth Area Planning Team

Tel 0208 937 5220

Fax 0208 937 5207

Landscape Design adviceLandscape design Team

Tel 020 8937 5248

Fax 020 8937 5207

Building Regulations adviceBuilding control

Tel 020 8937 5499

Fax 020 8937 5207


www.brent.gov.uk

This Guide was produced by the Lomdon Borough of Brent and adoptedby its Executive on 2 September 2002. The Guide was produced in full

consultation and in conjunction with Barn Hill Resident’s Association.

Designed by Brent Design Unit 03.04BDU4423

barn hill conservation area - bhra · 2.7 windows, doors and joinery 7 2.8 window repair 7 2.9...

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