Introduction

London Borough of Bexley (the Council) has produced a series of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) to provide design guidance and support to applicants, decision makers and developers for new development across the borough.

As demonstrated by the planning policy hierarchy diagram, the guidance supports the Development Plan which comprises the Bexley Local Plan and the London Plan. The SPDs demonstrate how policies within these statutory documents can be met and the guidance documents should also be read in conjunction with national and regional design guidance on placemaking, such as the National Design Guide.

Overarching design guidance, which applies across all types of development, is provided in the Design Guide SPD Part 1 – Design Principles. This should be read in conjunction with the guidance provided in Part 2 of the Design Guide SPD, which focuses on specific areas of development and comprises four documents which complement, and are structured around, the Design Principles.

Once adopted, the Design Guide SPD Part 2 will also be a material consideration in determining planning applications. As such, proposals should conform with the guidance provided to achieve the best outcomes at determination.

This new guidance will replace the following Bexley planning guidance: Design and Development Control Guidelines SPD, Crayford Residential Design Code, Crayford Town Centre Design and Identity Guide, and the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD.

The production of this document has followed best practice and been informed by a robust local evidence base. The guidance has been shaped through engagement with stakeholders and the public consultation process.

It should be noted that during preparation of the Design Guide SPD Part 2, the government published its draft NPPF. Once the final version of the new NPPF is published, it takes precedence should any conflicts arise between the two documents.

Design Guide SPD Part 2 – Building Alterations and Extensions

Guidance is split into two distinct chapters, the first section focuses on residential alterations and extensions, and is further split into sub-sections for clarity.

The Council supports householders' ambitions to improve their homes, spatially, thermally and aesthetically, to make them more practical and comfortable places to live. Extensions and alterations can improve the existing housing stock and provide householders with improved living arrangements without having to move to a new house or relocate. Householder extensions and alterations are therefore generally encouraged.

Residential extensions and alterations can have a significant impact on the appearance of a property, neighbouring properties, and on the character and amenity of a neighbourhood. The Council is supportive of development that would not result in adverse affects. As with all types of development, good design is at the heart of appropriate extensions and alterations.

The second section provides guidance for undertaking work to non-residential properties. Guidance primarily addresses proposed changes within Bexley's town and neighbourhood centres and along the borough's small parades. The document reinforces that such development will be supported where it duly considers its immediate context and the people interacting with these properties and this should be demonstrated during the application process.

Alterations and extensions to specific typologies, such as development within Bexley's local and strategic industrial areas are covered in the Design Guide SPD Part 2 – Area Types document.

The aim of this document is to provide parameters of acceptability for typical forms of residential and commercial extensions and alterations. We hope that this will help applicants, and their agents to submit successful applications and for those applications to be determined quickly.

All applications are determined on their own individual merits, taking into account specific site opportunities and constraints. As such, not all extensions or alterations will be acceptable in every individual circumstance.

Where applicants can provide strong evidence and justification for alternative means of development to be followed, the Council will give due consideration to this.

How to use this guide

The Design Guide SPD is separated into several distinct documents that will be developed and consulted upon in phases. The adopted Design Principles is Part 1 of the Design Guide SPD and the guidance provided applies across all types of development in Bexley to ensure consistency and quality. This is followed by additional guidance specific to certain types of development, including:

• Small Sites – sites below 0.25 hectares
• Building Alterations and Extensions – extensions and alterations to existing residential and non-residential buildings
• Area Types – common and emerging development types in Bexley e.g. industrial sites
• Site Design Codes – design guidance for areas undergoing significant change (these will be provided as part of the new Local Plan for Bexley)

These documents are supported by the Technical Handbook that contains detailed specialist information and standards required for certain planning applications, including highways, waste, sustainability and biodiversity.

The documents are colour-coded to aid navigation and each section of design guidance is given a sequential number for ease of reference. Design Principles are given the prefix D, Small Site codes will be given the prefix S, Building Alterations codes B, and Area Types A. The prefix for the Site Design Codes will be based upon the name of the area that is being planned.

The codes either use the words must, should, or could. These indicate the strength of the guidance and whether it is required to meet adopted policy or suggestive. The codes only apply to relevant forms of development as judged appropriate by the planning officer assessing the relevant proposal.

The document uses precedent examples to illustrate the guidance, with text provided that explains what is deemed successful about the development. The use of these precedents does not automatically guarantee the approval of similar designs. All submissions to the Council will be determined based on their individual merits within their Bexley context.

Where underlined, highlighted text is used, this is a link to external resources. Where italic text is used, this word or phrase is a technical term and is included in the Glossary.