Norland Article 4 directions

A new Article 4 Direction relating to properties in the Norland Neighbourhood Area came into force on 3 July 2013. You may remember the Council consulted on these in summer 2012.

Why the need for Article 4 Directions in Norland?

The area has been subject to lots of planning pressures in recent years. At the same time, the scope of permitted development has been extended and poses new challenges to the streetscape and historic environment in Norland. Norland Conservation Area offers infinite variety, charm and character. This visual pleasure relies entirely on balancing the requirements of modern living and taste with the historical integrity that gives the area its particular character.

The Article 4 directions are intended to support the Council's Core Strategy's objective of renewing the Borough's legacy “...by taking great care to maintain, conserve and enhance the glorious built heritage we have inherited and to ensure that where new development takes place it enhances the borough.”

Types of development affected:

Specifically, five types of permitted development will be affected:

The enlargement, improvement or other alteration of a dwellinghouse - In order to protect or restore original architectural details such as cornices, windows, door design, door furniture, railings, and balconies, and so maintain the architectural integrity of  front and rear elevations and the character of the conservation area. This Direction will ensure that important features that contribute to the area's sense of place will be protected. Planning permission will be required for any alterations.

The provision of garden buildings - Many private gardens contribute to the landscape, open spaces and charm of Norland by virtue of their mature trees and shrubs. It is important to the character of the conservation area that these open spaces are preserved. Rear gardens also have a crucially important role in sustainable urban drainage and are an important oasis for biodiversity.

The creation of hard standings in front gardens and forecourts - This destroys the character of the street, not least because it is also widely used for car parking. It can also reduce valuable soakaway potential in an area subject to sewerage flooding.

The removal or alteration of a gate, fence or wall - Some railings are missing and other enclosures are of non-original designs; on Addison Avenue, for example, and on St Ann’s Villas. By bringing this under control, the Direction aims to maintain and enhance the character of the conservation area.

External painting - This applies to only three different situations and has resulted in some misunderstanding:

• The brickwork of some houses has been painted over. This breaks up  the integrity of terraces, some with interesting brick detailing above ground floor level: painting can hide this detailing, and downgrade the whole terrace. Painting brickwork will not be allowed.
• Stucco facades of significant terraces such as in Norland Square, Royal Crescent, and 2a-28 Queensdale Road (which frames the north side of Norland Square): in such cases, a specified and uniform colour throughout is important so that individual properties do not detract from the unity of architectural effect.
• The painting of architectural details, such as cornices, architraves, door surrounds, which were designed to stand out against the background colour of stucco or brick elevations: in these cases, white, or a light “sandstone” colour is appropriate.

Documents available

Article 4 Direction [PDF] (warning: large file size 3Mb)

Article 4 Confirmation Report [PDF] (file size 49Kb)

Appendix 1 [PDF] (file size 45Kb)
Classes of Permitted Development Rights to be removed and list of properties affected by each class. 

Appendix 2 [PDF] (warning: large file size 3Mb)
Maps showing the extent of the Non-Immediate Article 4 Direction

Appendix 3 [PDF] (file size 1Mb)
Delegated Decision Report, 6 July 2012

Appendix 4 [PDF] (file size 946Kb) 
Map showing locations of site notices during consultation period.

Appendix 5 [PDF] (file size 22Kb) 
Table of all consultation responses

Norland Conservation Area has some of the most diverse and individual architectural styles in the borough. The Article 4 Direction recognises this rich diversity and the particular features that have made Norland the special neighbourhood that it is today.

Page updated: 3 July 2013