The Bedford Park
Guidance for Residents and
Architects
Index:
§ Planning Policies in Practice
§ Technical Note
2-
§ Technical Note
4-
§
Technical Note 5-
§
Technical Note 6-
The late Beryl
Brownsword, who sat on both the Society’s Executive Committee and the
Advisory Panel for
“We ought to have a
policy.” This remark was overheard in connection with the consideration of a
planning application referred to the Society. If the speaker presumed that the
Society’s comments on planning matters are based on the whim of the moment, be
assured they are not.
The
original aim of Jonathan Carr, and his architects, was to create the feeling of
an English village with well designed homes set between the mature trees on 24
acres of land in west
other contemporary developments in
The aim of the Society,
founded in 1963 when houses on larger sites were being demolished to make way
for blocks of flats, was to preserve this character, depending as it does, on the
protection of the fabric and detail of the houses in their setting, their
gardens and the mature trees that influenced the informal layout of the estate.
Perhaps the most obvious
feature affecting the “feel” of the neighbourhood is the spread of palisade
fences into roads where low close-boarded fences were originally preferred.
Once a precedent is set it is difficult to stop the trend, and it seems that
many people think they are replacing an original feature.
Other frequent submissions
are for dormers to light converted attics, conservatories to increase living
space, and side extensions to accommodate utility rooms and cloak rooms. All of
these have an impact on the neighbourhood, and each must be considered on its
individual merit.
Semi-detached houses
predominate in this area- two dwellings but designed as a single building, the
symmetry and balance of which must be taken into account when considering
alterations to one house. Changes made in the past may lead to the acceptance
of a proposal that restores balance, even when the basic policy may be to
resist.
To set down on tablets of
stone objection to certain alterations would make an informed appraisal of
proposals pointless. An awareness of the principles favoured by the majority of
those who support the Society in its aim of protecting the historic and
architectural character of Bedford Park must, and does, influence
considerations of submissions, and compilations of comments to those in
authority. But there are no guarantees and, in some cases, no controls to
enable the refusal of permission. We can only do our best to present reasoned
and reasonable arguments to support our opinions.
Technical Note 2-
Will be available here shortly
Technical Note 4-
Will be available here shortly
Technical Note 5-
Will be available here shortly
Technical Note 6-
Will be available here shortly
© The Bedford Park Society MMVII.
All rights reserved. Registered Charity No. 288204 