Draft Regulation 18 Sandwell Local Plan
Design and Installation of Shop Fronts and Roller Shutters
15.39 It is considered that the quality and appearance of the Borough's Town Centres is vital to their sustainability. The quality of shop fronts plays a significant role in this and a policy is required that ensures they are designed and delivered to a standard that makes a positive contribution to the character and appearance of their location.
(1) Policy SDM5 - Shop Fronts and Roller Shutters
Roller Shutters
- Planning permission is required for the installation of all permanent roller shutters. All applications for the installation of roller shutters will be assessed using the following criteria:
- Encouragement will be given to the integration of roller shutters as part of development proposals for new shop fronts, through the planning application process and pre-application discussion.
- The applicant must satisfy the local planning authority that the type of security shutter they are proposing is the most appropriate.
- Roller shutters should, wherever possible, not project across the pilasters of the shop front, or obscure any architectural detail. The submitted plans should indicate this.
- Roller shutter boxes should, wherever possible, be hidden within the structure of the building or behind shop fascias, so as not to affect the character and architecture of the building.
- Metal roller shutters should be perforated and be colour powder coated or painted
- Details of materials should be submitted with the planning application.
- No more than 50% of the shutters should be solid.
- Roller shutters that are totally solid will not be acceptable.
Shop Front Design
- All planning applications for the installation of shop fronts will be assessed against the following criteria:
- All shop fronts should be designed to fit in with the scale and architectural character of the building in which they are to be contained.
- All shop fronts should remain within their existing structural openings and be fully framed with fascia signs. Shop fronts and fascias must also be recessed behind pilasters.
- Adjacent shop fronts should be separated by a pilaster, matching the building. However, original pilasters should be retained where they exist.
- Original features, such as iron columns, ornamental brackets or carved stonework, should be preserved or restored.
- Canopies should be retractable and sited below the fascia.
- To ensure a high standard of shop front design, all applications for planning permission will require the submission of a detailed elevation of the proposed shop front in relation to the building within which it is to be contained, as well as adjacent shop fronts.
- Retention of facades above shop fronts that are of good quality, or which have special, architectural or historic interest, should be encouraged.
- Whilst the appearance of a building should not be compromised, consideration should be given to natural surveillance, safety and security when designing new shop fronts.
Justification
15.40 The design of shop fronts should be of good quality and use high grade materials. In addition to this, they should be designed to reflect the character and context of an area. Care should be taken to ensure the sympathetic design of shop fronts and security measures where buildings are in sensitive areas such as conservation areas, or on listed buildings.
15.41 The design of new shop fronts should incorporate security measures at an early stage of the design process, to prevent the need for shutter boxes to be added on later. Their design should also pay due regard to excluding features that may hinder community safety or contribute to criminal activity. The location of window openings and the types of materials used should be to an approved design standard that will help to prevent unauthorised intrusion. Display windows should incorporate stall risers and avoid floor to ceiling designs.
15.42 Additional security, such as grilles and lights, should be provided to safeguard shop premises and their customers. Consideration needs to be given to the design of roller shutters.
15.43 The introduction of perforated shutters, which are illuminated from the interior, provide additional lighting of the street scene, prevent dead frontages in addition to allowing natural surveillance into the shop as well as the goods on display to be viewed. Well-designed roller shutters will prevent a solid, unwelcoming appearance especially at night when most businesses are closed. Galvanised shutters will be unacceptable as they have a detrimental effect upon the street scene, creating dead frontages and intimidating environments.
