Malone Conservation Area Draft Boundary Review & Updated Character Appraisal / Design Guide

192 Pages·2011·2.41 MB·English

by  Planning Service

Contents

1.0 P reamble 7 Sub Area D: Cadogan 57
Sub Area E: Marlborough 63
2.0 I ntroduction 8 Sub Area F: Bawnmore / Cranmore / Osborne 70
Sub Area G: Maryville / Myrtlefield / Osborne 80
Purpose of the Design Guide 8 Sub Area H: Balmoral / Harberton / Shrewsbury 89
Methodology 8 Sub Area I: Malone Road 101
The Importance of Conservation 8 Sub Area J: Lennoxvale / Sans Souci 114
Objectives of Designation 9 Sub Area K: Beechlands / Cleaver / Notting Hill 121
Policy Context 10 Sub Area L: Broomhill 128
Sub Area M: Bladon / Deramore 135
3.0 Review of Existing Conservation Area 11
5.0 Development and Design Guidance 142
Boundary and the Sub Areas within the

Conservation Area Boundary
Role of Development Management 142

Planning Applications 142
Background 11
Original Building Stock 142
Boundary Review: General Issues 13
Sustainability 144
Boundary Review: Specific Issues 14

Review of Existing Sub Areas within the Existing 16
Proposed Works to Existing Buildings 145
Boundary

External Alterations 145

4.0 C onservation Area Character Appraisal 19 Conservation Approach to Repairs and Alterations 145
Detailing 145
Sub Area A: Lisburn Road 23 Materials 146
Sub Area B: Eglantine / Wellesley / Wellington 35 Roofscape 147
Sub Area C: Derryvolgie / Windsor 49
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- Roofs
148
Built Form 170

- Chimneys
148
Elevational Treatment 171

- Eaves and Verges 149
- Walls 171

Rainwater Goods 149
- Hierarchy of Window Openings 171

Roof Dormers 150
- Window Frames 171

External Walls 151
- External Doors 172

- Brick 151
- Accents 172

- External Render 152
- Detailing 173

- Stone 152
Roof Design and Materials 173

- Half-Timbering 153

Windows 154
Proposed Works to Grounds 175

- Bay Windows 156

External Doors 158
Proposed Works to Boundaries 176

Extensions 160

- Basements 161
Boundary Structures

Outbuildings 162
Hedges / Walls / Fences / Railings 177

Garages 162
Openings / Gates 178

New Buildings 164
Listed Buildings 180

Proposed New Buildings 164
Contribution to Conservation Area 180

Listed Building Consent 180

Context 164
Technical Information 180

Building Design / Style Approaches 165

Building Line 166
Shop Fronts 181

Massing 166

Height 167
Advertisements and Signs 182

Bulk 167
Security Shutters 183

Scale 168
Blinds / Awnings 183

Proportion 169

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Other Developments affecting the Character and 184
Appendices
Appearance of the Conservation Area

1 Statutory Designation Order 189

To Let / For Sale Signs 184

Satellite Dishes / Television Antennae 185
2 Map 1: Existing Conservation Area Boundary 191

Views / Vistas 185
and Sub Areas

Public Realm 186

Map 2: Proposed Conservation Area 192

6.0 Conclusion 188
Boundary and Sub Areas

Map 3: Proposed Changes to the Existing 193

Conservation Area Boundary

3 Summary of Key Planning Policy Documents 194

4 Sources of Advice 197

5 Glossary 199

6 Acknowledgements 209

7 Bibliography 209

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Publication of Consultation Draft It would be particularly helpful if comments could be
forwarded by e-mail to: [email protected]

Malone Conservation Area - Draft Boundary
The Department will also be consulting Belfast City Council,
Review and Updated Character Appraisal/ the Historic Buildings Council and other appropriate bodies
Design Guide as part of this consultation.

The Department of the Environment designated the Malone The consultation period will end on Monday 28th
Conservation Area in August 2000 and is now publishing February 2011.
this Draft Boundary Review and Updated Character
Appraisal/Design Guide, for the purposes of public Further copies of this document can be obtained by
consultation. The purpose of the document is to assist the telephone: [phone], or fax: [phone]. The
Department in discharging its functions in the Conservation document is also available on the Planning Service website:
Area and you are invited to send your views on its contents. www.planningni.gov.uk and the Belfast Divisional Planning
As part of this consultation the Department has highlighted a Office.
number of specific issues in order to stimulate debate and
comment. In keeping with our policy on openness, the Department
may make responses to the consultation publicly available
How to give your views upon request.

All representations received by the closing date for receipt of
Responses should be made in writing and sent to:
consultation responses in relation to this Draft Boundary

Review and Updated Character Appraisal / Design Guide
Malone Conservation Area Team
will be taken into account before the final document and
Planning Service

boundary are finalised. The existing boundary remains the
Second Floor Bedford House
boundary of the Conservation Area until this is done.
16 – 22 Bedford Street

Belfast
Once complete the document will be used to manage
BT2 7FD
change within the Conservation Area. It will be used to

assist in the determination of planning applications.
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Matters on which the Department would 5. Is the historical development of the area adequately
detailed?
particularly like to hear your views:

6. Are there development pressures impacting on the

1. This draft character appraisal proposes 13 sub areas character and appraisal of the area not adequately
compared to the previous 17. Do you think the addressed by the design guidance?
Conservation Area has been broken down into
cohesive areas of architectural and historic character 7. Are there specific landscaping elements that should be
that are sufficiently distinct to be separate sub areas? highlighted – for example individual or groups of trees?

2. The boundary review proposes to include additional Any comments on other relevant aspects would also be
areas along the northern and southern boundaries. It welcomed.
also proposes to omit various areas to the east of the
current area and areas of modern development in In relation to the Boundary Review an approach that the
Windsor Avenue, Derryvolgie Avenue and Windsor Department may have adopted in this Public Consultation
Park. These are detailed in Section 3. Do you think Document was to simply show the existing boundary and
that these boundary amendments are appropriate? request views on what changes would be appropriate.
Are the proposed additional areas of sufficient special However, in this instance, given the extent of the boundary,
architectural or historic interest? Are the omitted areas the Department considered it more pertinent to indicate its
no longer of sufficient architectural and historic interest views on how the boundary should be varied, as it was
to warrant continued inclusion? considered that this would result in a more informed and
productive consultation.
3. Are there any elements within the omitted areas worthy
of other protective designations such as listing, If other variations are suggested as part of this consultation
scheduling or Tree Preservation Orders? exercise, these will be taken into account, as will objections
to the Department’s own proposals on how the boundary
4. Is the character appraisal sufficiently detailed to convey should be varied.
the architectural and historic interest of the area?

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1.0 Preamble

1.1 The Department of the Environment designated
Malone as a Conservation Area on 4th August 2000. It is
considered to be an area of special architectural and historic
interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or
enhance.

1.2 Designation as a conservation area introduces
control over the demolition of unlisted buildings under Article
51 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991, while trees are
automatically protected under Article 26 of the Planning
(Amendment) (NI) Order 2003. Furthermore, designation
introduces certain additional limitations on the exercise of
permitted development rights contained in the Planning
(General Development) Order (NI) 1993.

1.3 Nothing in this document should be read as a
commitment that public resources will be provided for any
specific project. All proposals for expenditure by the
Department are subject to economic appraisal and will also
have to be considered having regard to the overall
availability of resources.

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2.0 Introduction

Purpose of the Design Guidance Methodology

2.1 The Design Guidance is intended for all those with an 2.4 Detailed research and analysis was carried out to
interest in Malone Conservation Area, or for those intending identify the specific architectural and historic elements which
to undertake work on its buildings, trees and landscapes, make the Conservation Area special and distinctive. From
streets or spaces. this, a set of detailed design guidelines has been
formulated.
2.2 It is intended to guide future development and assist
the Department in managing change, within, and in the 2.5 Conservation Areas are ‘areas of special architectural
setting of, the Conservation Area, to ensure that it or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is
conserves or enhances the special character and desirable to preserve or enhance’ [Article 50, The Planning
appearance of Malone. The content of the Character (Northern Ireland) Order 1991].
Appraisal and Design Guidance constitutes Supplementary
Planning Guidance for Malone Conservation Area and will The Importance of Conservation
be taken into account by the Department as a material
consideration in determining planning applications which are 2.6 Conservation is not a cosmetic exercise. Securing the
within, or may affect the setting of the area. The Design preservation or enhancement of the historic built
Guidance should be read in conjunction with the relevant environment stems from strong cultural, economic and
contents of regional planning policy and other environmental objectives, the recognition of which is long
supplementary guidance documents. established in various International Charters.

2.3 The guidance was prepared by Mr John McIlhagga 2.7 The character and appearance of a Conservation
(Conservation Architect) in consultation with the Area is inseparable from the physical fabric of which it is
Department. made. It is important therefore that anyone intending to
carry out any work in a Conservation Area which affects its
buildings, their settings, trees, open spaces or street scenes

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considers the implications and sees all prospective changes, people (and their professions) who commissioned and lived
however small, within the context of the their wider impact. in them. These buildings form component parts of the
reading of the area.
2.8 Conservation Areas exhibit a strong sense of
place and, by suggesting continuity and stability, Objectives of Designation
provide points of reference in a rapidly changing
world; they represent the familiar and cherished 2.10 The key objectives of conservation area designation
local scene. The mixture of historic buildings, are:
frequently reflecting an older framework of streets
and spaces, will almost always be visually pleasing, • to provide statutory protection to an area in order to
whether the buildings illustrate the local vernacular preserve or enhance its character or appearance.
refined over time, the calculated proportions of the This provides the regulatory framework for its
Georgian building, the exuberance of Victorian protection or enhancement through clear and
architecture, Inter and Post-war design themes (or a consistent planning policy and the development
mixture of these) or landscape features. management process, ensuring proposals and their
design take account of their context;
2.9 Conservation is not just preservation of the best
quality architecture or those that form the best of a particular • to retain those buildings which materially contribute to
type of building style – these are often recognised through its character or appearance, to encourage their reuse
listing. Other buildings may not have, for example, such and appropriate and sympathetic repair and
extensive detailing or quality of materials as these best maintenance;
examples. However, this does not lessen their contribution
to the architectural and historic interest or character and • to increase local awareness of the Conservation Area
appearance of the area. Such ‘backcloth’ buildings strongly designation and to promote commitment and support
contribute to the sense of place of the Conservation Area. for its conservation or enhancement – its
They provide a contextually appropriate setting for the distinctiveness;
exemplars, reflect the architectural evolution of the area
over time and are part of the historical fabric. They reflect • to guide, co-ordinate, and influence development,
the social and economic circumstances of their period of maintenance, or minor works by statutory authorities
construction, the architects who designed them and the
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to ensure that they secure the conservation or 2.13 Applicants seeking planning permission, conservation
enhancement of the Conservation Area; and area consent, advertisement consent or listed building
consent for work in the Conservation Area should be able to
• to secure enhancement of the significance and demonstrate how they have taken the character appraisal
special character of the Conservation Area through and design guide into account and how their proposals will
both its protection and the pro-active management of contribute to its preservation or enhancement. The planning
change. authority will endeavour to ensure that the activities of
statutory undertakers and public agencies will maintain or
improve the environmental quality and distinctive attributes
Policy Context of the Malone Conservation Area.

2.11 The Department's regional policies for Conservation
Areas and other features of Northern Ireland's built heritage
are currently set out in Planning Policy Statement 6
‘Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage’, published in
March 1999. Planning Policy Statement 7 ‘Quality
Residential Environments’, published in June 2001, also
includes specific policy provision for new residential
development in Conservation Areas.

2.12 The character appraisal has been prepared to
supplement the Department’s regional policies and is a
material consideration for the planning authority in
discharging its planning functions in the Malone
Conservation Area. It is intended for use by all with an
interest in the Conservation Area, including those
undertaking works on its buildings, landscape, streets or
spaces.

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