B.6.5.1 Sensitive and characterful conversions

Code: 6.28c

New openings (windows, doors, and rooflights) must respect the existing rhythm, scale, and proportions of the façade to maintain visual harmony. This includes avoiding floors cutting across them, where possible.

Exception: Well-considered departures from the existing pattern may be acceptable if it can be demonstrated that proposals enhance the building’s character, improve its function, or respond to a change of use, particularly in cases where the original design is poor.

Birdseye view above a 4-storey red-brick historic mill, with a public garden located along the western edge, consisting of trees, planting and multiple footpaths with a small 1.5-storey building in the centre. Along the eastern edge you can see parts of the main road and a large residential apartment block in red and grey cladding.

Figure 205: Shows the former mill building at the Tileyard, Wakefield where sensitively infilled former windows and careful integration of new rooflights respect the architectural heritage (Code: 6.28c and Guidance: 6.29g)

Guidance: 6.29g

If existing openings are to be infilled, the infill should be set back or differentiated to maintain the legibility of the original opening.

Code: 6.30c

Upwards extensions of existing buildings can be acceptable if justified in order for a scheme to be economically viable. 

The following criteria must be satisfied:

  • be set back from the original elevation

  • be no more than half the number of storeys of the original building (so one storey on a two storey building, two storeys on a four storey building)

  • use a different, but complementary, material to the original building

  • respect the geometry of the original building

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