DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT AND HERITAGE ASSET
STATEMENT
PROPOSAL
ADDRESS
APPLICANT
DATE
: Replacement shop front and shop signs
: 56, Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 3HT
: Ryman Limited
: April 2013
JOB No. : 2013.1878
DESIGN
Assessment Area
The applications relate to a ground floor shop unit on the north side of Notting Hill Gate and
propose a replacement shop front and replacement signage. The property is not listed and is
located within the Pembridge Conservation Area.
Physical
The application premises consist of a two storey brick building that has been extended forward
at ground floor to form the shop front. The premises are located within a parade of shops and
other commercial uses on the north side of Notting Hill Gate. The existing shop front is formed
from black coated aluminium and has a door at the right hand side. The modern shop front is
encased in an historic surround comprising simple decorated pilasters and cornice with a very
deep fascia. Shop fronts of neighbouring properties have a variety of styles, but are generally
modern in character and materials, with a number incorporating metal framing with large single
panes of glass and deep fascia signage. The shop door will be centrally positioned with a new
fanlight above.
APPLICATION BUILDING
The Proposal
The application proposes the removal of the modern shop front, fascia and fascia signs and
their replacement with a shop front incorporating historic design principles. The modern metal
framed shop front will be removed. In its place will be a timber framed shop front incorporating
a decorated timber stall riser, reintroducing a transom above the shop window and thereby
reducing the depth of the shop fascia. The shop door will be centrally positioned with a new
fanlight above.
The proposed fascia sign will be a painter board with applied painted aluminium letters set
slightly forward. Illumination will be provided by a slim light trough coloured the same as the
fascia board.
The proposed hanging sign will be a non-illuminated painted board with applied vinyl lettering.
Planning Policy
The Development Plan for the Royal Borough comprises the Core Strategy, the London Plan
(July 2011) and relevant ‘saved’ policies of the UDP. The Pembridge Conservation Area
Proposals Statement provides supplementary planning guidance.
Core Strategy policies CL1, CL2 and CL3, and ‘saved’ UDP policy CD63 seek to preserve the
character and appearance of the Conservation Area. Core Strategy policy CR4 requires new
signage to preserve the visual amenities of the building and its setting.
National Planning Policy Framework. Paragraph 131 states that when determining planning
applications, local planning authorities should take account of:
 the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and
putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation;
 the positive contribution that conservation of heritage assets can make to sustainable
communities including their economic vitality; and
 the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and
distinctiveness.
ASSESSMENT
The main planning issues raised by these proposals are:
 The impact of the proposed shop front on the character and appearance of the building
and the conservation area
 The impact of the advertisements on the visual amenities of the area
 The impact of the proposals on residential amenities of neighbouring occupiers and
public safety.
Comment: The proposed shop front, by reason of its form and historically detailed design is
considered to preserve the character and appearance of the application building and the
Conservation Area. It is therefore considered that the development complies with the relevant
policies of the Council’s development plan, in particular Core Strategy policies CL1, CL2 and
CL3, and ‘saved’ UDP policy CD63.
The proposed advertisements, by reason of their scale, materials and type of illumination,
would preserve the visual amenities of the area, and would not endanger public safety or harm
residential living conditions. It is considered therefore that the proposal would be in accordance
with Core Strategy policies CL1, CL3 and CR4.
CONCLUSIONS
This Planning Statement and Assessment of Significance has assessed the proposal against
the Council’s planning policies and the NPP Framework. The assessment concludes that the
proposal does not conflict with development plan policy and does not harm the character of the
Listed Building and the Conservation Area. The assessment has analysed the character and
value of the application building and its setting and has concluded that the proposal does not
harm the historic and architectural asset. It is considered that the nature of the proposal and
the understanding of the asset do not require expert intervention.
On this basis the proposal is considered to have been favourably assessed against the criteria
and is acceptable from a planning and historic viewpoint.