CA03 Duncan Terrace Leaflet - Islington Council

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Duncan Terrace/
Colebrooke Row
CARING FOR TREES IN
THE CONSERVATION AREA
All trees in the Conservation Area, including those in rear gardens, are
protected. Owners are urged to look after trees on their land. The
Council requires notification in writing, six weeks prior to carrying out
any works on trees. This includes pruning, lopping, felling or uprooting.
For more information on good
maintenance of trees please consult the
Council's Tree Preservation Officer based
in the Planning Department on Tel: 020-
7527-2383.
Owners are encouraged to plant new
trees in order to ensure a continuing
stock of mature trees in the area for
future generations.
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Duncan terracE
Colebrooke roW
THE CANAL AND
OTHER OPEN SPACES
The Council will not permit any development, including permanent
moorings on the water of the Regent's Canal or City Road Basin. The
existing towpath must be retained, and the Council will seek to extend
the towpath around City Road Basin to
increase public enjoyment of the water.
Existing public gardens should be well
maintained, to enhance the character of the
area, and the historic course of the New River.
STREETS IN
THE CONSERVATION AREA
ExistingYork stone paving, cobblestones, granite setts and kerbs and cast
iron coal hole covers are important features and must be retained intact.
The Council would like to improve the quality of paving and street
furniture in the area, subject to the availability of funds. On renewal,
traditional designs of lampposts, bollards and other street furniture will
be used, with traditional slab paving and granite kerbs. Old street name
signs should be retained, even if new signs are needed.
The Council will encourage the removal of unattractive telegraph poles
and overhead wires in the area.
Many Conservation Areas have their own Amenity Society or
Association which is also represented on the Council's Conservation
and Design Panel and Committee. If you are interested in forming or
joining such a group, please contact the Planning Department.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Conservation
Area
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The above is a summary of the policies for the area. For further information or for a copy of
the detailed Design Policy Guidelines for the Duncan Terrace/Colebrooke Row Conservation
Area and the Article 4 Direction, please contact:The Planning Department,
222 Upper Street, London, N1 1YA Tel: 020 7527 2000
e-mail: development.control@islington.gov.uk website: www.islington.gov.uk
DESIGN & PRINT BY VENUS PRINTERS (LONDON) LTD. Tel: 020 7609 1881 E-mail: venusprinters@btclick.com OCTOBER 2005
Conservation Area 3
Duncan terracE
Colebrooke roW
This leaflet is a guide for residents and businesses in the Duncan Terrace / Colebrooke Row Conservation Area. Its
aim is to promote and assist in the preservation and enhancement of this special part of Islington. This brochure
explains what building works can and cannot be carried out to properties within this Conservation Area.

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CHARACTER OF
THE CONSERVATION AREA
The Duncan Terrace/Colebrooke Row Conservation Area was first
designated in 1969 and extended in 1991. The area comprises mainly
late Georgian and early Victorian residential terraces, but there are also
important commercial uses in the area which contribute to its character.
The Regent's Canal and City Road Basin are also important features,
the former emerging from the Islington Tunnel at Vincent Terrace. A
small section of the New RiverWalk also runs through the area. Overall
the area has a remarkable architectural consistency, homogeneity and
historic interest, which gives the area its special character and
appearance and demand sensitive policies for preservation and
enhancement.
THE USE OF LAND
The predominant character of the Duncan Terrace/Colebrooke Row
Conservation Area is residential, although there are commercial
frontages on St. Peter's Street, Danbury Street, Essex Road and City
Road which provide local services and are an important contribution to
the character of the area. Generally the Council recognises that often
the best use for a building is that which it was designed for and will seek
to retain public houses, shops and workshops in appropriate uses which
will not diminish their special interest. The removal of individual
established uses within the Conservation Area will not be permitted
where they contribute to the character of the area. Permission will not
be granted for the over-intensification of residential use in conversion
schemes.
WHAT CAN BE DEMOLISHED
The Council's prior permission, known as Conservation Area Consent,
is required to demolish almost any type of building or substantial part
of a building in the area. A very large number of buildings in the area
are also Statutorily Listed by the Government for their national
architectural and historic interest. Prior Listed Building Consent is
needed for alterations to the interior or exterior of these buildings. The
Council wishes to retain all structures and buildings regardless of their
age, which contribute positively to the area. The Council will seek to
preserve special features, such as historic shop and pub fronts, porticos,
entrance steps and railings. The canalside contains several unusual
historic features which must be kept, including the furrowed iron bridge
protection strips and the rubble brick wall at the rear of Noel Road.
Redevelopment will be considered only where this improves the
appearance of the area.
WHEN PLANNING PERMISSION IS
REQUIRED
There are special controls over what requires
planning permission in the Conservation Area
and these have been strengthened by an Article
4 Direction which is in force. This means that
planning permission is required for various
minor external works which had previously
been considered as 'permitted development'.
The following is not an exhaustive list, but an
indication of the sort of works which do
require planning permission:
- alterations or extensions to roofs, including chimney stacks and pots;
- extensions to the original house that are over 50 cubic metres in size;
- garden sheds, garages or outbuildings over 10 cubic metres in size;
- enlargement, improvement or alteration to elevations fronting the
street, including alterations to front doors or windows;
- demolition, alterations or erection of front boundary walls, fences,
railings, gates or dustbin enclosures;
- painting of previously unpainted brickwork;
- cladding any part of the outside of building with render, pebble-dash,
stone, timber, plastic or tiles;
- satellite dishes;
- creation of hardstanding fronting the street.
If in doubt always ask the Planning Department first. Failure to obtain
prior consent may involve owners in having to reinstate alterations, thus
incurring extra cost. If your building is listed you will require prior
Listed Building Consent for internal and external alterations.
HOW YOU CAN
MAINTAIN YOUR PROPERTY
Many properties in the area still retain original architectural features
both externally and internally. These include double hung timber
vertical sliding sash windows, panelled front doors, fanlights with leaded
lights, ornamental ironwork to railings and balconies, stucco cornices
and window surrounds, stone entrance steps, porches and door cases.
These special features increase the value of
your property and contribute to the
character of the area as a whole. Owners
are therefore encouraged to maintain and
repair the original features wherever
possible. Where renewal is unavoidable or
features are missing, the Council
encourages owners to reinstate these with
traditional materials and matching designs.
Modern flat or neo-Georgian front doors,
aluminium pivot windows or UPVC
double-glazed sashes would look out of
place and spoil the character of the area.
Existing brickwork, including chimney stacks, should be properly
maintained and repointed and should not be painted or rendered.
Gutters, hoppers and other rainwater goods need regular inspection.
Water penetration and vegetation growth can result in expensive repairs.
If you have any queries or would like more information on
maintenance and repair, the Council's Planning Department will be able
to advise you on the best course of action.
THE COUNCIL’S DESIGN POLICIES
The Council pays particular attention to design matters when
considering planning applications, including for its own development,
to ensure that the character of the area is enhanced and protected.
Development is also subject to all the other existing and established
Council polices and planning standards. Full applications showing
detailed proposals should be submitted for planning permission to be
considered. The Council will not normally grant 'outline' planning
permission in Conservation Areas.
The following policies, adopted by the Council following public
consultation, will be pursued by the Council to ensure the protection
of the Conservation Area.
New buildings should conform to the height, scale and proportions of
existing buildings in the immediate area, using materials sympathetic to
the character of the area in terms of colour and texture. For extensions
and refurbishment the Council will normally require the use of
traditional materials, but the Council will also encourage good modern
design and the sensitive use of high quality modern materials where
appropriate.
SPECIFIC DESIGN FEATURES
Roof extensions and dormers, chimney stacks and pots
The existing roofs are very important to the character of the area,
mainly comprising front parapets with hidden roofs or mansard roofs
with dormer windows.
Many retain their original natural slate
coverings and lead flashings. The Council
considers that the ad-hoc construction of roof
extensions, dormers and rooflights can be very
damaging to the appearance of the area.
Some terraces already have a large proportion of traditional roof
extensions.These terraces should be completed, using traditional designs
and materials, correctly detailed and in accord with other Council
standards.They should be mansarded at front and rear, set behind parapet
walls, retaining the 'V' line of butterfly roofs. On listed buildings the
retention of historic roof form and fabric is also important.
Elsewhere, consent will not normally be given for alterations to roofs
which are visible from the street, side streets or other public areas. Plant
or tank rooms, air conditioning units or other services will not be
allowed at roof level where they are visible from the street, including
long views.The Council wishes to see existing chimney stacks and pots
retained.
Rear extensions
Rear extensions need to be subordinate to the mass and height of the
main building. The Council will not normally permit full width rear
extensions higher than one storey or half width extensions higher than
two storeys in total.
Front areas
The Council will not permit the filling in or covering over of front
basement areas or the widening of front entrance steps. The Council
will resist the creation of hardstandings for vehicles in front gardens.
Dustbins and meter enclosures should be discreetly located so as to be
invisible from the street. New garages or car parks will not be allowed
at the front or side of properties in the area. The Council will use its
planning powers to reduce the forecourt parking in City Road.
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shopfronts where permitted need to reflect traditional design and
Porches and porticos
Existing porches should be retained and should remain unenclosed.
Shopfronts
Several historic shop and pub fronts survive in the area. They contribute
to the character and appearance of the area and should be kept. New
materials such as painted timber, iron and render/stucco. Natural
aluminium is not acceptable. Full guidance is given in the Council's
Shopfront Design Guide.
Front boundary railings and ironwork
The Duncan Terrace/Colebrooke Row Conservation Area has a wealth
of historic ironwork. Traditional railings to front areas and ornamental
balconies are an important feature of the streetscene. The Council will
not give permission for the alteration or removal of original or
traditional ironwork and will
encourage owners to maintain and
reinstate traditional designs, such as
the 'Strawberry Hill' and spearhead
railings in City Road. Timber fences
will not be permitted. Rear brick
garden boundary walls should be kept.
Vents and flues
The erection of vents and flues at the rear of commercial property can
be harmful to amenity. Where possible existing chimney stacks should
be used. Any new flues should be modest, appropriately located and
painted a dark colour or enclosed in brickwork. Flues or vents on front
elevations will not be permitted.
Satellite dishes and telecommunication equipment
Satellite dishes must be located at the rear of properties so as not to be
visible from the street. Telecommunication equipment must be located
very sensitively in relation to public views and people's homes.
Advertisements and signs
Signs and advertisements can detract from the visual amenity of the area
and need to be appropriately designed and located. Internally
illuminated signs will not normally be permitted. The Council will
resist advertisements on the sides of buildings and take legal action
against unauthorised hoardings and estate agents' boards.
PAINT COLOURS
External decorative plasterwork was originally painted off-white or in
pastel colours, often to resemble stone, and owners are encouraged to
continue or reinstate this to
achieve uniformity. Avoid
vivid modern colours
which will appear brash.
Front doors were usually
painted in darker shades.
Never paint previously
unpainted brickwork.