Application process

 

The important thing to remember is that any proposal to alter the external appearance of a house (road or garden side) must have written permission from the Sutherland South Amenity Board. This includes any proposal that requires planning permission from Westminster Council, as well as minor developments that do not require planning permission. Even if a householder has planning permission, no alterations may be undertaken without written permission of the Sutherland South Amenity Board.

 

• Leaseholders considering any alteration are encouraged to send provisional details to the Board via Westbourne Management to seek an initial discussion prior to going to the expense of formal planning applications. Any such advice is for guidance purposes only and will not  be binding on the Board or Amenity Company.

​​

• ​Formal applications for changes to the external appearance of properties should be submitted to Westbourne Management. If a leaseholder is submitting an application, this should include consent from the Freeholder and, where applicable, planning approval from Westminster Council. Applications should include an overview of the proposed works together with ‘before and after’ plans, drawings, photographs and/or sketches to clearly illustrate the changes that are proposed. For minor works clear hand-drawn sketches may suffice but for major changes (particularly those that require Council planning permission) full architect’s drawings will be required.​

​

• Opinions from all shareholders (via freeholder representatives), will be sought by an email vote administered by Westbourne Management. The Board will seek to uphold the majority view when considering these applications, but reserves the right to decide irrespective of this vote. The Board’s decision, and underlying reasoning, will be disseminated to the applicant and all shareholder representatives.

 

• It is important to note that each proposal for external alteration to a building will be decided on its own merits according to the criteria of Design, Amenity and Pollution. Approval of an application does not necessarily set a precedent for the terrace, as each proposal must be assessed on its own merits and the particular circumstances of the site.                           

​

Guidance notes

​

• Colours. All woodwork apart from street-facing front doors to be painted White (BS 00 E 55). Woodwork that has been painted in a different colour in the past should be repainted in white as properties are redecorated. All metalwork, including railings, stairs and pipes on brickwork, are to be painted black.

• Brickwork should remain exposed, and not painted over. Brickwork that has been painted over in the past should be re-exposed. Repointing of brickwork should be undertaken in a colour of mortar that matches existing pointing.

• Extensions. There is very little scope for extensions to properties. However, any proposed extension must be in keeping with the building that is being extended in terms of scale, material, windows, architectural detailing, and colour of the finishes. Roof extensions should generally be contained within the pitch of the existing roof, with properly formed dormer windows. Flashings should be properly formed in lead. Subterranean basements that extend under the garden will not approved.

• Windows. Replacement and new windows and doors must be constructed in wood. UPVC windows must not be used.

• Balconies. Balconies must be in keeping with the architectural style of the building, and should have metal or stone balustrading as appropriate.  

• Metalwork Alterations to external staircases and balustrades should match adjacent existing ones. New external staircases, balustrades & railings should either copy an original Victorian-style example or consist of plain elements, including plain vertical balustrade rods. 

• Garden Walls. Low garden walls should match the existing brickwork, and be constructed of second-hand London stock bricks. 

• External pipework and cabling. Rainwater pipes (cast iron or UPVC) , should be painted black. Cables and wires should be clipped to the building, not left hanging loose.

• External Lights. External lights must be in a style sympathetic to the building and sited in such a way that it does not affect the visual aspect of the building as a whole. Surface wiring is not acceptable.

• TV Aerials and Satellite Dishes. The guidelines to be followed are detailed by Westminster City Council. These should be so sited that they are not visible at street or garden level. 

• Condensing units. As with aerials, we follow the guidelines set out by Westminster City Council. Please visit their website for details. In addition to permission from the Amenity Company, Planning Permission is always required for external condensing units/heat pumps and this will involve recording local noise levels during a 24 hour period in support of the application and in order to demonstrate that the installation will meet Westminster’s environmental standards.

 

Managing agents: Westbourne Management, 9 Spring Street, London W2 3RA. Email info@wb19.co.uk