Conservation area guidance design guidance - do's and dont's

Windows, doors and porches, balconies, outside walls and decoration

restore and repair original windows wherever possible - original windows can be given a new lease of life by overhauling them and installing draft proofing brushes;
consider secondary glazing as an alternative to double glazing;
where original windows need to be replaced, opt for a like-for-like replacement in terms of design, profile and materials;
when replacing windows in a property that has been subdivided in flats or smaller units, do ensure a consistent approach is adopted to the appearance of the windows to each property/unit in order to ensure the street frontage is not harmed (planning permission will be required);
sashes should normally be painted white;
ensure glazing bars are used correctly and are of the correct dimension (neighbouring properties can give a good indication of the original style);

replace historic timber sash windows with materials such as uPVC or aluminium;
Crittall windows, a common feature of inter-war housing such as that found in the Chapmanslord Conservation Area, have strong horizontal features and a slim profile. Dont replace with uPVC! They can often be repaired or suitable replacements made to match existing;
remove windows in a flat or in a house before checking whether planning permission is required

retain and repair original front doors
when repair is not possible, the replacement should be of a similar design and dimensions to the original and appropriate to the conservation area. Replacement doors should be constructed of timber, normally painted
varied colours for front doors can add interest, although garish colours should be avoided
use traditional materials when repairing porches
remember to apply for planning permission if proposing to erect a porch to your property
ensure entrance doors to individual flats are contained within the building, behind the original entrance door

use uPVC for front doors in conservation areas
enclose open porches, they are key features of many properties in the Cities conservation areas
alter bays so that doors replace windows
over emphasise the use of glass when replacing / reinstating doors
lose key original features, such as decorative glazing panels and top lights / fanlights
lose the original front door when a house is converted into flats. The original entranceway should be retained / restored
remove original doors or enclose open porches before checking if planning permission is required by an Article 4 Direction

retain original balconies and balustrading, these are key features of the City's conservation areas
consider reinstating the original style of balcony where the balcony has been modified or lost; (look at neighbouring properties where the original design may still remain as a good starting point) - reinstating them could greatly enhance the character of a property

alter the design of original balconies by enclosing them with windows / doors, or using unsympathetic balustrades designs
alter the design of an original balcony without checking if planning permission is required

typical local materials include yellow stock brick and soft red brick which give attractive warm tones and textures to the building facades. If brickwork suffers from damp, dirt or deterioration it should be cleaned with an appropriate solvent and re-pointed if structurally necessary
consider removing paint from original brickwork that has already been painted - in these cases it is important to ensure the appropriate method of cleaning is used so it will not damage the face of the bricks (e.g. the use of solvents, such as a poultice treatment, is preferable rather than sand- blasting, which can be damaging)
use a specialist contractor to undertake these works

paint over or render original brickwork. As well as affecting the buildings character, render and cement based masonry paints might increase damp problems by trapping moisture within the brickwork
brickwork should not be re-pointed unless it is structurally essential. Where essential it should be recessed from the face of the brickwork and the colour of the lime mortar should be matched as closely as possible to the existing
for properties with painted facades, mortar pointing between bricks should not be painted a different colour and the chosen colours should not dominate appearance of the building or clash with neighbouring buildings