Character-led design and heritage

6.11 Character-led design

A variety of housing types can be seen across Waltham Forest. By understanding the historic qualities of housing, we can respect its unique character, while developing and retrofitting homes.

As shown in the map to the right, distinctive housing types in Waltham Forest include Victorian and Edwardian terraces, Warner housing, Abraham flats and later inter-war developments.

6.11.1	When planning an extension or alteration residents should consider the housing type, built form, roofscape, height, materiality and heritage. This will help to ensure a character-led approach to development, which is supported by Policy 53 of the Local Plan, ‘Delivering High Quality Design’.
6.11.2	Building composition and detailing specific to a certain era should be preserved wherever possible, to create distinctive and attractive residential areas throughout the borough.
6.11.3	Preserving original building details is of particular importance in conservation areas. This is supported by Policy 72 of the Local Plan, ‘Conservation Areas’.

Illustration of broad housing types in Waltham Forest

6.12 Conservation areas

6.12.1	Being located in a conservation area can affect what alterations can be made to a home, and whether planning permission will be required. This is supported by Policy 72 of the Local Plan, ‘Conservation Areas’.
6.12.2	Residents are advised to check if their home is located in a conservation area here before planning any extensions or alterations.

There are 15 conservation areas across Waltham Forest, as shown in the map below.

Conservation areas in the north of the borough:

A. Chingford Station Road

B. Chingford Green

C. Ropers Field

D. Woodford Green

Conservation areas in the central borough:

E. Lloyd Park

F. Leucha Road

G. Walthamstow St James

H. Walthamstow Village

I. Orford Road

J. Forest School

Conservation areas in the south of the borough:

K. Bakers Arms

L. Leytonstone

M. Thornhill Road

N. Browning Road

O. Leyton Town Centre

Map of conservation areas, evenly distributed across Waltham Forest

Case study: the rear was clad in lime render, while brick was retained on the front elevation

Case study: Rear extension in a Conservation Area

This Victorian terraced home in the Orford Road Conservation Area was transformed by the addition of a rear extension, by Whittaker Parsons Architects. The house was previously dark and cool, and the owners wanted to make the house more energy efficient while adding living space.

An existing low quality, inefficient extension was removed and replaced with a high quality single storey rear extension. The new extension considers orientation and daylight to maximise light at the rear of the house, and the ground floor internal layout was reconfigured to maximise space. The extension was finished in lime render, a highly breathable material.

Damp issues were eliminated, and the house was transformed into a warm, contemporary home, while still respecting and preserving the unique character of the conservation area.

Case study: changes to the front of the house were minimal, to preserve the character of the conservation area

6.13 Article 4 directions in conservation areas

6.13.1	At the time of publication, there are Article 4 directions in place for the following conservation areas in Waltham Forest: Chingford Green Forest School Leytonstone Orford Road Ropers Field Thornhill Road Woodford Green Browning Road Walthamstow Village
6.13.2	Article 4 directions mean that permitted development rights are removed within the above areas, and planning permission will be required for works that would typically fall under permitted development.
6.13.3	In conservation areas where there is no Article 4 direction, the same criteria for permitted development applies as for properties outside of a conservation area.
6.13.4	Residents can find further information about planning permission and permitted development in conservation areas see here.
6.13.5	Waltham Forest has one designated Area of Special Character, the Highams Park Estate. However, there is no Article 4 direction here, and properties within Highams Park Estate still have permitted development rights.

6.14 Listed Buildings

Local heritage is an essential part of Waltham Forest’s distinctive, rich and varied character. There are two types of listed buildings - statutory listed buildings and locally listed buildings. See here for further information on listed buildings in Waltham Forest.

6.14.1	Statutory listed buildings are nationally significant and protected by law. They usually have restricted permitted development rights meaning planning permission will be required for most alterations.
6.14.2	Listed building consent is required for any alteration or extension to a statutory listed building that is likely to affect its character as a building of special architectural or historical interest.
6.14.3	Listed building consent is a planning control that protects buildings of special architectural or historical interest. These controls are in addition to any planning regulations which would normally apply.

6.14.4	A locally listed, or non-designated, building holds value for the local community and contributes to an area’s character. View our Local Heritage List to find out more about locally listed residential buildings in Waltham Forest.
6.14.5	All building works should be designed with regards to nearby listed and locally listed buildings, and potential negative impact to any heritage asset is a material planning condition. This is supported by Policy 70 of the Local Plan, ‘Designated Heritage Assets’ Policy 71, ‘Listed Buildings’, and Policy 74, ‘Non-Designated Heritage Assets’.