Consultation for Mansard roofs in Bow Conservation Areas

Local residents have been invited to comment on supporting evidence which could lead to mansard roofs being permitted in conservation areas of Tower Hamlets, including Bow. A consultation meeting for Bow residents will be at St Paul’s Church, St Stephen’s Road, this Thursday 3rd December at 2-5pm and then on Friday 11th December at 5.30-8.30pm.

Conservationists feel that the uniform terraces of conservation areas should be preserved, thus protecting East End and Victorian heritage. Yet others argue that the lack of four bedroom housing in areas such as Bow is forcing families to leave and that permitting mansard roofs would help retain a healthy mix of ages in the borough. What do you think?

Full correspondence from the Council can be read below and here is their Mansard Roof Guidance Note published by London Borough of Tower Hamlets, November 2015

20th November 2015

Dear Sir/Madam

PLANNING (LISTED AND CONSERVATION AREAS) ACT 1990

Additional guidance covering extensions to the roof and to the rear of residential properties, in the form of an addendum to the existing guidance for eight of its Conservation Areas: Chapel House, Driffield Road, Fairfield Road, Jesus Hospital Estate, Medway, Tredegar Square, Victoria Park, and York Square conservation areas.

Publication of supporting guidance on mansard roofs in conservation areas.

Invitation to comment 

A Conversation Area is ‘an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance (Planning Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act 1990 s.69(1))

The Council has published a draft addendum to the adopted Character Appraisal and Management Guidelines for each of the eight Conservation Areas identified above and has also published supporting guidance on mansard roofs. Officers will be seeking the views of residents, and stakeholders on these draft documents in a public consultation taking place for eight weeks between 23rd November and the 18th January 2016. Information related to this consultation will be available on the Council’s website.

Six public consultations and drop in sessions have been organised to offer residents the opportunity to review and discuss the proposals with officers.

Details of these sessions and where they are to be held are set out below. Please attend the session relevant to the conservation area you are interested in.

Driffield Road, Fairfield Road, Medway, Tredegar Square and Victoria Park
St Paul’s Church, E3 5JL
2-5pm Thursday 3rd December & Friday 5.30-8.30pm 11th December

Jesus Hospital Estate & York Square
The Scott Room, Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, E2 6HG
2-5pm Tuesday 8th December & 5.30-8.30pm Friday 4th December

Chapel House
Canary Wharf Idea Store, Churchill Place, E14 5RB
2-5pm Friday 4th December & 5.30-8.30pm Monday 30th November

All those interested are welcome to attend.

If you are not the owner of the property please refer this letter to them.

If you would like to see the documents prior to the drop in sessions they will be available on the councils website from the 23rd November. Paper copies will also be available at the Planning Reception at the Council Offices at Mulberry Place. They can also be made available on request.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, written comments can be sent to:

Email: placeshaping@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Post: The Place Shaping Team
D&R Strategic Planning
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG

Comments must be received by 5pm on 18th January 2016 to ensure consideration.

If you have any questions regarding the proposals you can call the planning hotline on 020 7464 5009