development with its medium-rise, its low to medium-rise, high-density residential areas has produced a residential areas has produced a very very attractive townscape and is central attractive townscape and is central to the to the Borough’s charm. The Borough Borough’s charm. The Borough has has comparatively few tall buildings; the comparatively few tall buildings; the tallest tallest being Trellick Tower at 98m. Tall being Trellick Tower at 98m. Tall buildings buildings are very much the exception. are very much the exception. Building Building height is thus a critical issue height is thus a critical issue and a very and a very sensitive feature of the sensitive feature of the townscape. It is townscape. important that the Council carefully manages the height of new development that may otherwise erode the Borough’s distinctive townscape character. 34.3.23 One approach to determining the High buildings have a greater impact on RBKC. To clarify the appropriate location of high buildings their environment than other building Council’s position on high would be to identify where they are not types, posing problems of microclimate, buildings and to ensure the appropriate such as in Conservation overshadowing and overlooking. This is cohesiveness of the policy – Areas. However, such an approach risks especially harmful to residential as a whole. inferring that they are therefore environments and amenity spaces, and appropriate anywhere else. That would needs to be avoided through careful siting not be an appropriate approach and design (see Policy CL5). because Higher buildings should must only be located where depending on – their impact they give meaning to the – local or Borough townscape. 34.3.24 Local landmarks define points of High buildings in the wrong location can be RBKC. To clarify the townscape interest or public functions visually disruptive. For example, they can Council’s position on high that are relevant to those living or harm the character and appearance of a buildings and to ensure the working within the immediate areas. conservation area, the setting of a listed cohesiveness of the policy They do not necessarily rise above the building or the visual amenity of important as a whole; and to respond predominant building height line such open space; or they can interrupt to common ground matters – as the Michelin Building at Brompton important views, such as the strategic view with the GLA.
development with its medium-rise, residential areas has produced a very attractive townscape and is central to the Borough’s charm. The Borough has comparatively few tall buildings; the tallest being Trellick Tower at 98m. Tall buildings are very much the exception. Building height is thus a critical issue and a very sensitive feature of the townscape. its low to medium-rise, high-density residential areas has produced a very attractive townscape and is central to the Borough’s charm. The Borough has comparatively few tall buildings; the tallest being Trellick Tower at 98m. Tall buildings are very much the exception. Building height is thus a critical issue and a very sensitive feature of the townscape. It is important that the Council carefully manages the height of new development that may otherwise erode the Borough’s distinctive townscape character. 34.3.23 One approach to determining the appropriate location of high buildings would be to identify where they are not appropriate – such as in Conservation Areas. However, such an approach risks inferring that they are therefore appropriate anywhere else. That would not be an appropriate approach because Higher buildings should must only be located where – depending on their impact – they give meaning to the local or Borough townscape. High buildings have a greater impact on their environment than other building types, posing problems of microclimate, overshadowing and overlooking. This is especially harmful to residential environments and amenity spaces, and needs to be avoided through careful siting and design (see Policy CL5). RBKC. To clarify the Council’s position on high buildings and to ensure the cohesiveness of the policy as a whole. 34.3.24 Local landmarks define points of townscape interest or public functions that are relevant to those living or working within the immediate areas. They do not necessarily rise above the predominant building height line – such as the Michelin Building at Brompton High buildings in the wrong location can be visually disruptive. For example, they can harm the character and appearance of a conservation area, the setting of a listed building or the visual amenity of important open space; or they can interrupt important views, such as the strategic view RBKC. To clarify the Council’s position on high buildings and to ensure the cohesiveness of the policy as a whole; and to respond to common ground matters with the GLA.