Historic streets 'at risk from ugly windows, TV dishes and neglect'

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12 April 2012

Thousands of London's most historic streets are being "ruined" by plastic windows, ugly satellite dishes and poor maintenance in breach of laws designed to protect them, it was revealed today.

The first audit of the capital's conservation areas found nearly one in five is at risk of neglect, decay or damaging change as councils fail to apply the law. The national average is one in seven.

Heritage bosses today warn the credit crunch is likely to exacerbate the threat as businesses and homeowners struggle to find money for maintenance.

Nigel Barker, from English Heritage, said: "If you think of conservation areas that rely for their character on commercial or retail activity, given the uncertainty over the last eight to nine months, you can't be certain how they are going to be maintained."

So far 81 conservation areas in London have been identified as being at risk. This is the first time they have been added to the Heritage at Risk register alongside buildings, landscapes and scheduled monuments. The list is unveiled today.

Mr Barker cited Denmark Street, known for its independent music shops, off Charing Cross Road, as an example of an at-risk area but warned: "Ninety per cent of the buildings that were on the first at risk register 18 or 19 years ago are now off it. Putting things on a register helps focus people's minds."

Conservation areas were introduced by the 1967 Civic Amenities Act as "areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".

Local authorities and English Heritage have the power to designate conservation areas. They then have control over demolition, developments, and protection of trees.

Residents must obtain permission before making changes which may detract from the area's appearance. These changes include types of cladding, inserting windows, and putting up satellite dishes which are visible from the street.

English Heritage found more than 80 per cent of estate agents believe original features add value to properties while 75 per cent think a well-maintained conservation area does so.

Heritage experts regard PVC windows as out of keeping with conservation areas - but only 13 per cent of conservation areas ban their installation. English Heritage also regards unsightly satellite dishes, too many street signs, neglected green spaces and poorly maintained roads and pavements as detrimental to the appearance of these protected areas.

A London Councils spokesman said: "London boroughs are forced to walk a tightrope between respecting conservation needs and ensuring the capital continues to develop as a modern city. Balancing these two factors can be extremely challenging, but local authorities will always do all they can to protect conservation areas.

"If residents are worried about conservation areas they should make their views known to their council so they can work together to preserve them for future generations."

London jewels In danger

Harmondsworth, Hillingdon

This conservation area, designated in 1970, is a medieval settlement originally set in open countryside and farmland.

It still has many medieval buildings, including Grade I-listed Harmondsworth Barn, dated 1426 but likely to have been built on earlier foundations.

Harmondsworth was mentioned in the Domesday Book. For decades from the Thirties its survival was safeguarded by inclusion within the green belt and because it was bypassed by the M4.

But the area is now regarded as at risk because of uncertainty caused by Heathrow Airport's proposed third runway.

It is argued that the setting and character of the village would also be considerably affected by the loss of much of the green land.

The Harmondsworth and Sipson residents' association is very concerned about the future.

Noel Park, Haringey

The estate, designated a conservation area in 1983, was influenced by the garden suburb movement but has suffered from extensive piecemeal alteration which has eroded its character, English Heritage says. Changes include the loss of original windows and doors and inappropriate roofing materials.

Rosebery Avenue, Islington

Alongside the beacon of success that is Sadler's Wells, the avenue is home to a couple of buildings on the at-risk register including Finsbury Health Centre and Finsbury Town Hall where there are question marks over future use. Concerns are compounded by some vacant properties and poor maintenance.

Denmark Street, Soho

This small street of independent music shops, near the junction of Charing Cross Road and Oxford Street, is regarded as being under threat in the financial climate. There are rotting windows at first-floor level and above, and the street is surrounded by development, partly associated with the Crossrail building works.

...and one preserved

Hampstead Garden Suburb, Barnet

The 5,000-strong residents' association is hailed as a textbook example of community engagement. It offers design advice for residents in the suburb in accordance with the progressive vision of Dame Henrietta Barnett, who conceived the model housing development in 1904.

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