part 3 designing for quality - southampton.gov.uk

part 3designingfor quality

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designingfor quality3 DESIGNING FOR QUALITY

3.1 The Character of Southampton

3.1.1 Our perception of the quality of development inSouthampton is derived from our understanding,appreciation and personal experience of a number ofinter-relating characteristics;

the physical environment - its buildings andpublic realm,the historical environment - its heritage,historical buildings, monuments and archeology,the experiential environment - relating toparticular experiences we have had in the city,biodiversity - its open spaces and wildlife, andvisibilty - how the city can be viewed.

3.1.2 The city consists of a hierarchy of ‘places’ of varyingscales, characteristics and qualities, such as districtcentres, streets and individual building plots. Each placehas a distinctive character that projects its ‘local identity’- how a place is perceived. The local identity of a placecan be considered as being positive, negative or just ‘ok’.Our understanding and appreciation of a place’scharacter, including its social and economic backgroundand the way such factors have shaped the urban fabric,should be the starting point for making decisions aboutits future development. This appraoch will enhance itslocal identity or character and improve its legibility; thedegree to which a place can be easily understood andpassed through. It is widely recognised that a place thathas a strong positive character promotes emotionalattachment to maintaining and improving the quality ofthe place and ultimately encourages civic pride.

3.1.3 The character of the city influences that of the largerregional area and vice versa. In places such as theCotswolds and the Lake District, the topography, historical development patterns and abundance of local buildingmaterials have had a significant impact on the characterof development. Southampton’s larger regional area, islargely defined by an area of low lying land formed ofsands and gravels that is contained by the Downs to thenorth, east and west and the sea to the south. A lack oflocal stone and brick clay for building the large quantitiesof houses built in the last two centuries has resulted in alocal character that lacks a strong identity. However, inan increasingly competitive world, the local character ofthe city needs to be enhanced to ensure that it willcontinue to attract people to live in the city now and inthe future.

3.1.4 This guidance sets out key principles for retainingand enhancing positive character across a hierarchy ofvarying scales of place from the regional context down toa new building on a plot of land.

Diagram illustrating the inter relationship ofthe characters of differing scales of place

REGION

CITY

DISTRICT

NEIGHBOURHOOD

STREET

PLOTBUILDING

Residential Design Guide

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Final Approved Document

3.2 Density

3.2.1 In Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing,the Government set objectives to increase housingdensity without compromising the quality of theenvironment. This objective is strengthened in theconsultation draft Planning Policy Statement 3: Housingwith the additional objective of affordable homes incommunities where people want to live.

3.2.2 A high quality environment should be created by alldevelopments irrespective of density.

3.2.3 The character of a place is defined by the quality of theenvironment; the development, its buildings andstructures, the development site and surrounding publicrealm. A high density place can have just as an attractivecharacter as a low density place.

3.2.4 The density of a development should be appropriate to itscontext and level of accesibility.

3.2.5 Local policies promote efficent use of land, setting arange of density standards depending on theaccessibility of the area (see below), but also requirethat the development is appropriate for the area. Over-development of a site that will have a negative impact onthe character of the area and local amenity is notacceptable. Policy H11 stipulates the following minimumnet densities, subject to design and environmentalconsiderations :

• Suburbs and areas of low accessibility 35dph - 50dph• Medium accessibility areas 50dph - 100dph• High accessibility areas and centres 100dph +

3.2.6 In order to understand what these proposed densitiesmean in built form it is necessary to examine thedensities of different typologies of development in thecity. Southampton has many different typologies ofhousing development built from the Georgian era throughto the present day. Appendix B - Housing Typologiesin Southampton, describes the most significanttypologies of development in terms of density, housetype and parking provision, and illustrates each withphotos and a figure-ground study.

3.2.7 The examples shown in Appendix B of 1950s housing inBitterne and 2000s housing in Chapel clearlydemonstrate that attractive characterful livingenvironments can be created with densities of 35 dphand above. However, in areas of high accessibility, wherethere is less dependence on the car, attractiveenvironments have been possible with densities inexcess of 70 dph.

Typical semi-detached houses in thePolygon area of Southampton

An aerial view of the above housingshows the ‘grid-iron’ pattern ofdevelopment

A figure-ground study shows thedensity of development (74dph) inproportion to the private space andpublic realm

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designingfor quality3.3 The Region and the City

3.3.1 New development should be designed to improve legibilityand local identity by enhancing and complementing thepositive visual characteristics of the City and its widerregional area.

3.3.2 This will include the impact of the development on viewsfrom a distance, and the impact on the skyline from keyapproaches by road, rail, sea and air.

3.4 The City Centre, Shirley Town Centre and the DistrictCentres

3.4.1 The City Centre, Shirley Town Centre and District Centresshould each have its own visual character and identitythat relates to the City as a whole.

3.4.2 This should build on the existing positive characteristicsof a place and ensure that unique features andamenities, such as parks, hospitals and universities areintegrated into the overall connectivity, legibility and localidentity of the place.

3.5 The Local Neighbourhood

3.5.1 Each local neighbourhood should have it’s own visualcharacter and identity that relates to its local districtcentre but also makes it unique and distinguishable fromthe next local neighbourhood.

3.5.2 This improves the legibility of the City as a whole, but willalso encourage civic pride at the local level. Localamenities, such as local shopping parades and localpublic open space, should provide a positive and vitalvisual focus for local neighbourhoods. The publicrealm around local amenities should be unique and highquality, with clear visual connections to surroundingstreets.

New development with a strong andpositive visual impact can improve thelocal identity of a place - Coin Street,London

Local neighbourhood shops are oftenformed in the ground floor of existinghouses

This new development in Amsterdambuilds on the historic characteristics ofdevelopment in the city with narrowplots, building lines at the back of thepavement and a consistency in height


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3.6 Vistas, Views and Landmarks

3.6.1 A key factor that defines the character of a place andinfluences people’s perception is the impact of views,vistas and the landmarks contained within them. Thisapplies to the hierarchy of places, from the regionalcontext down to the street context.

3.6.2 New developments should be designed to optimise theimpact on existing vistas, create and frame new views orcomplement existing views.

3.6.3 The impact of a new development on an existing vista orview can only be assessed by creating a photo montageof the vista or views which contains an artists impressionor 3D computer generated image of the development, orby use of a 3D model. The mass of the developmentshould not obscure any landmarks when seen from keyviews.

3.6.4 Where appropriate new landmarks should be created that

improve the legibility of the place.

3.6.5 Opportunities to provide new landmarks inneighbourhoods where none currently exist should beconsidered. Landmarks can also be created by a largetree of interesting or unusual shape or colour. A group oftrees arranged in a structured manner has a strong visualimpact in an otherwise treeless streetscape. A newdevelopment should not create a landmark that willcompete with another or obscure an establishedlandmark.

3.6.6 Existing landmarks should be integrated into the urban

structure.

3.6.7 The design of the public realm and boundary treatment ofa new development located next to existing landmarksshould ensure good connectivity both physically andvisually. Consideration should be given to whether it isbest to enclose and frame the landmark, creating anelement of surprise, or to open it up and create a loosersense of enclosure. Care should be taken to improve thesetting of the existing landmark and not to detract from itor obscure it.

The line of street trees and well definedfrontage to this new housingdevelopment frame a distant view ofwoodland - Harlow

Boundary markers, like this one at theentrance to the Northam Home Zone,Radcliffe Road, Southampton can becomenew local landmarks for thisneighbourhood

Right: The view downthis pathway is closed bythe focus on the far leftterraces front door. Thisalso indicated that theroute changes direction

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designingfor quality

The corner of this development isemphasized by a curved form andprojecting bay windows - Hythe

The corner of this apartment block isemphasized by creating a visual focusat the end of the street with increasedheight and a corner balcony feature -Basingstoke

This good example of an inner cityapartment block illustrates how settingback the elevation on the corner andslightly raising the height can addinterest to the development. Thedevelopment also respects the scaleand proportions of the Georgianbuildings oppposite - Portland Street,Southampton

3.6.8 The height of the elevations of new development shouldrelate to the height of existing development in the streetand also the width across the street.

3.6.9 The degree of enclosure of a street by the elevations ofdevelopment, boundary treatment and landscapefeatures such as trees and hedges, contribute to thecharacter of a street. In Southampton the proportions ofheight of elevations to width between elevations across astreet vary upwards from 1 : 2.5. Existing ratios shouldbe adhered to unless there are over-riding reasons forincreasing height (see below). For new perimeter blockand street development a height to width ratio ofbetween 1 : 2.5 and 1 : 3.5 is acceptable.

3.6.10 Taller buildings may be considered at street corners,at the end of streets, around the edge of publicopen space or along a waterfront.

3.6.11 Taller buildings can be used to create a visual focus at astreet corner and the end of a street, and often providean opportunity for mixed use and a focus for increasedactivity. Taller buildings are also appropriate where theyprovide an edge to public open space or an expanse ofwater where the scale of the space can positivelysupport an increased scale and height of developmentaround its edge.

3.6.12 The City Council has produced a background documentSouthampton’s Skyline: Managing Change which willinform the preparation of Local Development Frameworkdocuments and give officers guidance on the design andlocation of tall buildings specifically in the city centre. TheGuidance on Tall Buildings produced by CABE andEnglish Heritage should also be consulted. This guidanceadvises that proposals for tall building fully address thefollowing criteria:i) the relationship with the context, topography, scale,height, streetscape, building form and the relationshipwith other tall buildings;ii) the effect on the whole existing landscape so thatproposals do not harm or detract;iii) the relationship with transport infrastructure, particularlypublic transport, and aviation constraints;iv) the architectural quality of the building including scale,form, massing, proportion and silhouette, facing materialsand relationship to ther structures;v) the contribution that the development makes to externaland internal public spaces and the facilities in the area;vi) the effect on the local climate including micro-climate,over-shadowing, night time appearance and vehiclemovements;vii) the contributrion made to the permeability of the site;viii) the provsion of a high quality environment for thoseusing the building;ix) the sustainability of the proposal.


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3.7 The Street - Defining and retaining its character

3.7.1 New development should contribute to or create

perimeter block forms.

3.7.2 The character of each street is defined by the blocks ofdevelopment that frames it.The use of a perimeter blockform helps deliver a legible cityscape in which public andprivate spaces are clearly distinguished; streets haveclearly defined ‘edges’ and natural surveillance of thestreet is possible.

Block Typologies (1)

Courtyard Block - a very high density can beachieved by apartment blocks fronting onto publicstreets with rear communal space and privategardens. Public access to the semi-private internalcourtyard is clearly defined by the form of adjacentbuildings and a ‘threshold’ space at the entrance. Spacefor parking may be achieved underground.

Terraces with Mews Lane - terraces front ontopublic streets with mews housing fronting onto apublically accessible lane running through the interiorof the block. The intimate scale of this type ofdevelopment requires a high quality public realmcarefully designed to emphasize the semi-privatecharacter of the lane. Plot sizes are very small soparking provision may depend on on-street availability.

Terraces with Mews Courtyards - terraces frontonto public streets with mews terraces arrangedaround courtyards within the block. This does notallow public access and again requires high qualityclearly defined public and private spaces.

Terraces - a traditional form of development inSouthampton’s inner city and district centres whichmaximises the quantity of private space within theblock. There is no public access within the blockensuring a high degree of security. Some parking maybe possible at the end of the block off-street or withinterrace frontage.

Although designed as a perimeterblock, there is not sufficient space forboth private and public use along thisthis waterfront path

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designingfor quality3.7.3 All streets should connect to other streets, creating

smaller blocks of development of increasing activitycloser to city, town or district centres.

3.7.4 Connectivity is a vital factor in increasing activity on thestreets, as well as increasing choice and variety. Incases of increased activity, such as district centres, afiner grain of street pattern will improve connections tolocal amenities, such as shops and local parks.

Block Typologies (2)

Semi-detached Houses Block - typical of much ofthe 20th century development in Southampton, amedium density development can be achieved withopportunity for off-road parking and garages. There isno public access within the block and larger plot sizesprovide some private space to the rear.

Detached House Block - detached houses onrelatively large plots provide a low density ofdevelopment, only appropriate in places of lowaccessibility. A high level of privacy can be achievedand more space for trees and shrubs in both front andrear gardens. Parking for several vehicles off-street ispossible. Wider frontages will require good boundarytreatment.

Mixed Block - usually includes semi-detached,terraced and apartments. This makes an efficient useof land, offering choice for different sized family groupsand can be a useful form to use between existingblocks of different typologies, such as semi-detachedhousing and apartment blocks.

Detached House Irregular Block - this type ofdevelopment is resisted as it creates awkward shapedplots that are difficult to develop efficiently leading tolow density development. The legibility of the block isreduced due to irregular street pattern often resulting incul-de-sacs, irregular plots and building frontages,and visually weak corners. Opportunities for naturalsurveillance is usually poor.

‘Gated’ developments are notacceptable - Stratford on Avon


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3.7.5 Each street should have its own identity that makes iteasily identifiable and distinguishable from the nextstreet.

3.7.6 Many streets in Southampton have a strong characterdue to the repeated use of the same dwelling design or asmall range of variations on one design, such as aterrace or semi-detached house. This pattern should beretained when considering the development of an infillsite part way along a street. However opportunities toenrich the visual quality of the street and add visualinterest should be considered at corners and ends ofstreets.

3.7.7 New infill development, situated part way along streets,should complement the pattern of development in the restof the street. The environment created by the newdevelopment and/or new accesses to a new ‘backland’development should make a positive contribution toenhancing the character of the street.

3.7.8 The proposed development should be similar in scale,massing, position on the plot, vertical and horizontalrhythm, and have a high quality of architecturaldetailing that is harmonious with existing adjacentdevelopment. New accesses to backland developmentshould have attractive and robust entrance features andboundary treatment, such as brick walls that curve intothe access (see part 5 for further guidance). However ifthe site also lies at the end of another street the followingprinciple should apply.

3.7.9 Each street, providing it is in character with the local area,should have a visual focus at the corner or end of a streetthat gives it a unique identity and a focus for increasedvitality and activity.

3.7.10 This can take many forms such as;

• A building that has a mix of uses or different useto that of the street e.g. a local convenienceshop on the ground floor of a bock of flats, or acommunity building;

• A building that is taller or larger in scale andproportion than the general scale and proportionof development in the street;

• A building that has an enhanced level ofarchitectural detailing than the generaldevelopment on the street;

• A planted amenity space, such as a pocket parkcontaining trees or a single speciman tree;

• A feeling of space and less enclosure than therest of the street e.g. buildings set back andwider pavements to facilitate increased activity.

This new access to a backlanddevelopment creates an unacceptableenvironment for both pedestrians andvehicles approaching the new dwellingsto the rear and also to adjoiningproperties

Diagram showing how a new sharedaccess to a backland site should becreated with good visibility, plantingand shared surfaces. Brick boundarywalls should be provided to propertiesadjacent to the access. The newdevelopment designed as a courtyardprocides a visual focus when enteringthe site, in this case in the form ofgarages.

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designingfor quality3.7.11 Infill developments on corner plots need careful

consideration to ensure that the local character andprivacy of adjoining dwellings is not harmed and thedevelopment makes a postive contribution to enhancingthe streetscene.

3.7.12 Depending on the width of the corner plot, the new dwelling is unlikely to have a conventional main back garden.Instead the garden is usually constrained by the adjoiningplots and therefore a garden length of 10 m, as advised inpart 2, is difficult to achieve. As such the garden will oftenhave less privacy than adjacent dwellings and be overlooked. In these cases it is often beneficial to create alarger development plot by incorporating adjoining dwellings situated along the primary street and their gardens.However this can also lead to the demolition of largehouses of strong architectural identity and therefore it isparticularly important to ensure that the local vernacularis acknowledged in the new development.

3.7.13 Siting the new dwelling to respect prevailing building linesof the secondary street often also pushes the dwelling’sfootprint towards the rear of the sub-divided plot andtherefore close to the rear boundary. As a result theneighbouring dwelling can suffer from intrusive overlookingthat may be unacceptable.

3.7.14 The Building Research Establishment (BRE) recommendsthat if a quarter of a garden is placed into shadow for all ofthe day this should be grounds for refusing planningpermission. As such, scale needs to be very carefullyhandled and innovative roof form solutions devised. Eachcase will be judged on its own merit, but in the majority ofcases where a new dwelling has been found to beacceptable, a bungalow or chalet has resulted.

3.7.15 Where the flank wall of the original plot dwelling, thatfronts onto a primary street, stands forward of the buildingline in the secondary street, an acceptable approachmight be to step back the proposed dwelling’s front wallbetween these two positions. The same principle couldbe applied to the width of the proposed dwelling frontingthe secondary street, however the priority will be toensure that the character of the street is not damaged asa result.

Frontage of proposed new house is setback part way between flank wall of thehouse on the primary street and thebuilding line of adjoining house on thescondary street

A deeper plot is created by redevelopingtwo rear gardens creating better amenityfor the proposed new houses’ occupants


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The building lines of this courtyarddevelopment line up with adjacentdevelopment

This archway is in proportion with the main elevation

This archway is too wide for its height

This archway is too high for its width and leaves a blank wallabove the opening that is visually ‘heavy’

Archway into the courtyard of a perim-eter block of apartments - London

The corner of this building isemphasized by a change in elevationaltreatment, balconies and a taller rooffeature - Portsmouth

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The use of shared surfaces and softlandscape can create an attractivecourtyard setting - Harlow

The pedestrian route into this courtyardis defined by a two storey archway inproportion to the height of the adjacentdevelopment - St Helier, Jersey

3.7.16 The space created within a perimeter block developmentshould be completely private or designed as a publicallyaccessible courtyard.

3.7.17 Perimeter blocks can be designed with back to backplots so there is no public access to the rear ofproperties in order to improve security. Where access isnecessary to the space within the block, e.g. for parking,there should be at least two access/egress points,private and public space should be clearly demarquedand designed to encourage natural surveillance. ‘Gated’developments are not acceptable as they createenclaves that promote social segragation and preventnatural surveillance as an efficient means of improvingthe security of a neighbourhood.

3.7.18 Dead ends should be designed as courtyards and notcul-de-sacs.

3.7.19 Where a dead end situation cannot be avoideddevelopment should create a high degree of visualenclosure, without being oppressive, and close views tocreate a visual end-stop to the street. The traditionalcul-de-sac arrangement where the development isdominated by a hammerhead street layout is notencouraged, instead shared surfaces should beconsidered and the use of features such as trees andpublic art to calm traffic and create a focus.

3.7.20 The design of archways leading to rear courtyarddevelopment should be in proportion to the frontelevation.

3.7.21 Where access is not required for waste collection oremergency vehicles the size of archways can be aminimum of 2.5m wide and 2.25m high. The sides of theopening should relate to the width of dwelling units aboveand should not have blank walls above.


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3.8 Plot Series and Plots

3.8.1 In Southampton, most of the existing residentialdevelopment has been built in groups, whole streets orestates by the same builder or developer. A wide varietyof architectural styles has been established over severalcenturies. However, the design principles used toestablish the relationship of the dwelling with thestreet and its plot and neighbouring development havebeen the same. The same design is often repeated,sometimes with small variations, plot after plot either asa terrace, semi-detached or detached house creating arepetitive series of plots (so called a plot series) withfrontages orientated to face the street. Where this occursa strong visual character is established in the street.

3.8.2 Where there is an established use of plot series on astreet this plot series should be used in all newdevelopment.

3.8.3 This will ensure that the existing character of the street,created by the vertical rhythm of existing plot series, isperpetuated. Therefore new development will continue toenhance the existing character of the street.

3.8.4 Plot series and plots should be orientated to reinforce theline of the street.

3.8.5 Where plot series and plots are orientated with frontboundaries facing onto the street new developmentshould be orientated similarly.

3.8.6 Changes in orientation of plot series and plots will onlybe allowed at corners and dead ends.This givesopportunities to provide a visual end-stop or focal point tothe view down a street.

3.8.7 The frontages of new development on plot series

and plots should be parallel to the primary street.

3.8.8 Frontages should contain front doors and windowsoverlooking the street. This will improve the vitality andsecurity of the street and development along it throughnatural surveillance. It will also ensure that inactiveelevations, such as side or rear elevations, do not faceprimary streets and improve the visual amenity of thestreet.

A contemporary plot series of terraceddwellings - Harlow

A plot series of terraced dwellings

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New terraced housing is built with similarsetbacks to existing housing - Bath

3.9 Design of a dwelling or a group of dwellings

3.9.1 The footprint to plot ratio of a new dwellings should be

similar to that of existing nearby dwellings.

3.9.2 The character of a street relates to the footprint of adwelling to its plot area. For example; if the plot is muchbigger than adjacent plots there is a strong case forsubdivision of the plot to create new houses of a similarfootprint to plot ratio as existing adjacent houses.However, if the plot is much smaller than adjacentplots there is a strong case for a development that isproportionally smaller in footprint area than existingadjacent houses. In all cases outside the city centre thefootprint of buildings and hard surfaced areas should notexceed 50% of the site. If the quality of the hardlandscaping contributes significantly to the creation of ahigh quality place around the building, these areas maybe excluded from the calculations.

3.9.3 Set backs will be the same as nearby housingdevelopment and identical for plots in the same plotseries.

3.9.4 The set back of a dwelling from the street has asignificant impact on the character of the street as ithelps define the width to height ratio of the street andtherefore its degree of enclosure. A set back allowsdwellings to establish individuality and may be requiredto serve a particular function. Set backs should besufficiently deep to be fit for the purpose required ofthem. This could be as a ‘threshold’ space; a semi-private amenity space where on small and shallow plotschildren can play, people can sit, bicycles temporarilyleft and bins can be stored, and on larger deeper plotsgardens planted and cars parked.

3.9.5 The scale, massing and appearance of a dwelling or agroup of dwellings (e.g. terraces, semi-detached, detachedor a block of apartments and sheltered housing) shouldcreate a balanced composition in relation to each otherand be in harmony with existing nearby development.

3.9.6 Consistency in the height of eaves, parapets, ridges andwindow lintels and cills will assist in creating aharmonious composition with adjacent development.However features that break this mould, such as a baywindow or lower height roof of similar design can addvariety to what could be a monotonous elevationalcomposition.

A contemporary take on traditional hous-ing creates an attractive new focus for thiscourtyard - Bremen


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3.10 Elevations

3.10.1 Much of Southampton’s tradition of local vernaculararchitecture has disappeared. There are still a fewexamples of use timber framed houses, of locallyproduced bricks (from Highfield) and slate roofs and slatetiling hangings to exposed walls, however, much of thehousing is of a generic vernacular architecture. Materialsused are mass produced and use details that are notunique to the city, that result in developments that couldbe of anywhere else in the country. This situation mustchange in order for the city to strengthen its image,existing character and local distinctiveness.

3.10.2 New development should respond to the character andcontext of its site and establish a new high quality 21stcentury contemporary architecture for the city that makesapproporiate reference to the local vernaculararchitecture.

3.10.3 This does not mean building new dwellings in a pasticheof historical architectural styles, e.g. with UPVC Georgianstyle porches and fake sash windows that no longer havethe proportions of a traditional Georgian sash. It meansdeveloping high quality contemporary designs thatmodernise vernacular features such as the bay windowand the balcony, bringing detailed designs into the 21stcentury using high quality modern materials andconstruction techniques that respond to the sustainabilityagenda. A pastiche of historical styles is not acceptable.

3.10.4 The design of frontages facing streets should respect andenhance the vertical and horizontal rhythm of existingdevelopment.

3.10.5 Many streets in Southampton have a strong verticalrhythm created by repetitive plot widths, as well asvertical features of the elevations. These arepredominantly porches, bay windows and chimneys.However, the vertical alignment of doors, windows andrainwater down pipes also contribute to the overall verticalrhythm of the street. Horizontal features such as theeaves and ridges of roofs and porches, and brick stringcoursing are usually set at an identical height on eachadjacent dwelling offering a strong horizontal rhythm tothe street which contributes to strengthening thecharacter of the street.

3.10.6 The design of frontages facing streets should provide abalanced composition in relation to existing nearbydevelopment.

3.10.7 Ensuring that there is a similar relationship between theheight and proportion of the facades of new developmentsand those existing development helps create a balancedcomposition. In addition the use of contemporary versionsof vernacular features of similar height and proportionsensures continuity.

New contemporary styled housing -Birmingham

This new housing developmentrespects the existing rhythm of gabledbays and provides an attractive focuson the bend of the road

New housing should not be a pasticheof earlier styles of development

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The use of projecting bay features addsvisual interest and depth to thiselevation

3.10.8 Each elevation, including the roof, should have a balancedcomposition of doors, windows, openings and otherfeatures.

3.10.9 Although the front elevation is normally the mostprominent, all elevations have some degree of visualimpact on the occupants of the dwelling or occupants ofneighbouring dwellings. The roof and roof terraces shouldbe considered also as an elevation as it may beoverlooked by taller development in the vicinity.Consideration should be given to a balanced compositionof features that project at roof level such as, chimneys,services, service outlets and access features.

3.10.10 The front elevation should be the most visually prominentelevation.

3.10.11 Side elevations that are exposed to secondarystreets should not have blank walls but include doors andwindows to provide some natural surveillance of thestreet.

3.10.12 Elevations should have depth to create interest and

enhance existing character.

3.10.13 Historically, the elevations of housing in the city that havestrong positive characteristics consist of a combination ofarchitectural details that add interest and are repeated indwellings forming part of the same development. Forexample, roofs traditionally have steep pitches, slate orclay tiles and deep eaves, front facades have projectingbays and porches, string courses, reveals to doors andwindows, and further detail is provided by carving ofbargeboards and stone relief.

3.10.14 New developments should continue these characteristicsusing modern interpretations, details and materials toprovide a balanced composition to each elevation.Dwellings in the same development should draw from alimited palette of architectural details, materials, coloursand textures. Prominant corners or facades might havespecial features to make them more visually prominent.However, larger developments it may be appropriate touse a wider variety of materials and details for differentblocks in order to aviod monotony and create greateridentity of different areas of the development.

3.10.15 Architectural details often have a practical function, forexample, to throw rainwater off the surface of the building,such as deep eaves and projecting sills. These featuresalso add interest by creating depth and interest to theelevation when viewed obliquely and when shadows arecast.

Each house in this development hasbeen designed by different architectsbut a balanced composition is stillachieved - Amsterdam

The front elevation is the most dominantbut side windows add visual interest andallow natural surveillance


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3.10.16 Features such as bay windows and balconies should

be used to help structure the design of front elevations.

3.10.17 These features are prominent characteristics of housingin the city and give structure and presence to frontelevations, as well as providing opportunities for increasednatural surveillance of the street.

3.10.18 The height of window openings can be reduced as they

get higher up the building.

3.10.19 This is a useful design tool that was used in Georgianand Victorian houses. The ground floor gets the leastamount of light and so should have the largest windows.The use of smaller height window openings for upperfloors, where more light is available also creates a visuallybalanced composition helping the upper floors toappear less visually obtrusive. However consideration alsoneeds to be given to other factors, such as solar gain.

3.10.20 The upper floor or floors can be set back to reduce the

visual impact of tall buildings.

3.10.21 A set back reduces the visual impact of the upper storeysof a tall building. The impact of the set back should beconsidered from the street level and where it will be seenfrom a distance. Normally the set back would apply toone or two storeys, however it can also be used todifferentiate between different uses on a mixed usebuilding. The set back should be of sufficient depth toallow its functional use as a terrace.

3.10.22 Frontages on to streets should have good naturalsurveillance of the street, provided by doors and windows.

3.10.23 Living rooms, such as lounges, dining rooms andkitchens should front on to streets giving opportunity fornatural surveillance of the street. High window cills (over1300mm high) on ground floors reduce naturalsurveillance and present an unwelcoming visual impact.Defensible space can be provided by other means, suchas by set backs and threshold planting.

3.10.24 The primary access point to a dwelling or group ofdwellings should be located on the frontage facing thestreet.

3.10.25 The primary access point or front door to a dwelling is thepoint at which the dwelling directly interfaces with thestreet. A street with a regular occurrence of front doorswill improve the the sense of security by offeringpotentially good levels of natural surveillance andincreased pedestrain activity.

The use of balconies, brick and timberfacing materials and a top storeysetback all help to reduce the visualmass of this apartment block

The bay window feature in this terracedhousing creates a focus about whichother windows are organised insymmetry - Harlow

These Georgian elevations illustratehow larger windows were used on lowerstoreys than upper ones. This classicaldesign technique also reduces theemphasis on upper storeys making thedevelopment appear less tall - PortlandStreet, Southampton

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designingfor quality3.10.26 External services should be kept to a minimum and

placed in accessible and visually unobtrusivelocations on the elevations.

3.10.27 Soil stacks should be located internally and will not beacceptable externally. Service inlets and outlets onelevations and protrusions at roof level for ventilation,service supply and water storage overflows should bekept to a minimum; detailed and located to minimisevisual impact or designed as an integral design feature ofthe elevations.

3.10.28 Electricity, gas and water meter cupboards should bevisually unobtrusive but fitted into the external walls of thedwelling, in places offering easy access for readingmeters. Service cupboards should be provided in a colourthat blends with the colour of other materials used in theelevations to minimise visual impact.

3.10.29 Satellite dishes, TV aerials, antennae and amateur radiomasts should be positioned discretely to minimise visualimpact. These do not normally need planning permission.However, in the case of larger satellite dishes, aerials,antennae and radio masts, particularly those mounted ona pole or as a group, or on a listed building, adviceshould be sought as to whether a planning application isrequired.

Ventilation cowls are designed as anintegral feature of this sustainable devel-opment - BedZed

Meter cupboards should not be located invisually obtrusive places and where theyare vulnerable to damage

This development has a good level of natural surveillanceonto a waterfront walkway

Exposed soil pipes to the rear elevationsof these houses look unsightly


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3.11 Plot Boundaries

3.11.1 The treatment of boundaries fronting the street will be inkeeping with the treatment of other boundaries along thestreet.

3.11.2 Front boundary treatments should be robust and fit forpurpose. Proposals might include hard landscapefeatures such as walls or soft landscape feature such ashedges. The detailed design, materials and coloursshould be consistent with the predominant positivecharacteristics of existing boundaries in the street. Theuse of dwarf walls with pillars, with or without railings orvertical bar galvanised steel railings, and pedestrianentrance gates are encouraged where there is no strongprecedent.

3.11.3 Close boarded, woven panelled, or post and rail timberfencing should not be used on or close to boundaries(either front or side) fronting the street.

3.11.4 This type of boundary treatment is not visually attractivenor robust enough for this location and does not allownatural surveillance. The use of dwarf walls and railingsas described above is encouraged.

3.11.5 Boundary treatment should not obscure sight lines for theegress of vehicles from a site and should allow good levelsof surveillance of the street.

3.12 Garages, Sub Stations and Other Structures

3.12.1 Garages, sub stations and other structures built within theplot boundary or on the development site should besubservient in size to housing development and in keepingwith it in terms of the design, colour and materials used.

3.12.2 Statutory authorities should be encouraged to providebuildings for sub stations that use the same architecturalstyle, details, colours and materials as the housingdevelopment. Guidance on waste storage is given inPart 9.

New boundary treatment should be inkeeping with existing boundaries

Timber fencing is an inappropriatetreatment for boundaries fronting ontothe street

Below - garden sheds have beendesigned as integral features of thecourtyard in the photo on the left, unlikethe example on the right where eachresident has put up their own shed

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designingfor quality3.13 Materials and Construction Methods

3.13.1 Materials used will respect and complement the character,scale, texture and colour of existing materials used in thestreet.

3.13.2 The use of modern materials and construction techniquesis encouraged, however these should respect andcomplement those already used in the street. The recentexploration of the innovative design and mass productionof cheap and quick to build homes, such as the ‘£60 Khouse’, should be considered. In particular, homes thatreduce the use of non renewable resources and increasethe use of renewables are encouraged.

3.13.3 A range of complementary materials should be usedwhere necessary to reduce the visual impact of newdevelopments, providing these enhance the existingcharacter of the street.

3.13.4 Materials that are visually more ‘heavy’ are moreappropriate for use on the facades of lower storeys of abuilding. These are materials such as types of brick andstone, that generally absorb light, have a rough textureand therefore appear darker than other materials. Thereare practical reasons for this too, as darker materials willnot show up rainwater splashback and scuff marks frompeople passing by. A dark coloured plinth detail at theground storey can visually enhance the building byproviding a ‘base’ for the building to sit on and a contrastwith surrounding hard surfaces. Materials such as glass,metal panels, timber slats and render are generallylighter in colour, smoother in texture and more reflectiveand therefore appear visually ‘lighter’. These materials aremore appropriate for use on the facades of higher storeysof the building to reduce the overall visuall impact of thebuilding.

3.13.5 Materials used should be sustainable, easy to maintain,robust and resistant to vandalism.

3.13.6 Innovative constructions techniques are encouragedproviding they enhance existing character of the street.

3.13.7 The use of prefabrication as a way of increasing efficiencyand reducing the construction cost may be appropriate fordwellings that are repetitive in plan layout, such asapartments and terraced housing. However, the facades ofthese developments by nature can look lightweight and‘stuck on’ to the main structure. Care must be taken intheir detailed design and selection of materials to ensurethat the development looks visually robust and of goodquality.

An attractive composition of materials isused in this development - Harlow

The use of brick at third floor levelmakes this development look top heavy,however the use of galvanised steel is asensible choice in this waterside loca-tion - Hythe

Off site pre-fabrication of units canreduce costs and construction time onsite, however care must be taken thatcladding materials are appropriate forthe context and well detailed - MercuryPoint , Southampton


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3.14 Case Study: the French Quarter, the Old TownDeveloper: Linden HomesArchitect: John Thompson & Partners

The planning application for this scheme in aconservation area was submitted with a comprehensivedesign statement that is a model for best practice. Thefollowing illustrations are a selection form thosesubmitted, which included a detailed urban analyis, astudy of plot widths, a study of architectural styles anddetails in photographic and sketch form.

Photographic study of Bugle Street

Study of plot width on Bugle Street and French Street

Study of street width to height ratio ofBugle Street

Sketch studies of existing elevations and storey heights

©,John Thompson & Partners

© John Thompson & Partners



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Character analysis


Landmarks and key views

Computor generated image of the HighStreet elevation looking down a new street,Vyse Lane, towards the medievalmerchants house - 58 French Street

Computor generated image of the FrenchStreet elevation with a contemporaryapproach that respects the positivecharacteristics of rhythm and variety ofform that exist in French Street and BugleStreet





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Documents

part 3 designing for quality - southampton.gov.uk