Figure 1
Shopfront
Features
|
appendix
nine - Planning Guidance Notes |
3 Daylight and
Intervisibility of Windows
4 Television Satellite Antennae
5 Single House Plot Development
6 Residential Layout
and Redevelopment
7 House Extensions and
Garages
10 Open
Space
11 Telecommunications
Developments
15 Design
of Converted Agricultural Outbuildings
16 Affordable
Housing – Supplementary Guidance
guidance
note 1
Shopfronts and Canopies |
Back to Index |
INTRODUCTION
The Need For
Design Guidance
1. This Guidance Note has been
prepared because the Council wishes to see the visual character of the shopping
areas maintained and enhanced. The term
shopfront has been used as a short hand but also applies to offices, banks,
restaurants and other units occupying locations in shopping parades.
2. Shopfronts form a dominant visual
element in the townscape and therefore, it is felt that detailed advice on this
aspect of urban design can assist developers and owners to make an important
contribution to protecting and improving the character of
3. Advertising on shopfronts is
covered in detail in the further Guidance Note - Advertisement Control.
Reference should be made to that Note when erecting or altering shopfront
fascia signs and advertisements.
The Aim of
this Guide
4. This Guidance Note provides the
basis on which applications will be considered and should be seen as providing
an overall framework to assist the applicant in making a positive contribution
to the character of the shopping areas. The aim of the Guide is to outline the
standards the Council expects, but not impose constraints on those wishing to
produce creative designs. The main areas of concern are within town centres and
where tenemental properties are involved. In these areas, the style, design and
proportions of shopfronts is very important to the character of the area and
the buildings themselves. The Council aims to protect and enhance the character
of these areas for the benefit of the environment of the area - from both the
point of view of retaining high quality built heritage and also in order to
ensure attractive and vibrant shopping areas. Some improvements can often be
made without the need for planning permission, such as repainting and
installing hanging baskets - and the Council would generally encourage this.
5. The Council encourages architects
and developers to consult and discuss their plans at an early stage with the
Strathclyde Police Architectural Liaison Officer in order to be aware of
appropriate crime prevention measures which could be included in their
development. Reference is also made to this issue in the Guidance note -
Designing Out Crime.
GUIDANCE
Shopfront
Design
6.Shopfront - Before opting to make a change to any shopfront the
applicant should consider the quality and character of the existing shopfront
and the contribution it makes to the frontage. The Council will seek to retain
shopfronts of character and features original to the building. The shopfront is
the area from ground level to the top of the fascia and includes the pilasters
or the side wall of the structure.
7. Fascia - It is important for the
building as a whole, particularly in older properties, that the original fascia
level should be retained or reinstated as this is usually carefully
proportioned to the overall design. Where the original fascia has been covered
over or altered, a return to the original dimensions is essential.
Figure 1
Shopfront
Features
8. Pilasters - In rows of shops,
there is a division between each shopfront which may look like a column and is
known as pilaster. It may be a sturdy stone-built pillar, but on the other
hand, it may only be a slender piece of timber, depending on the design of the
building. A pilaster helps to separate the design of individual shopfronts from
each other, giving each one it’s separate identity. Therefore the glazing etc.
in shopfronts may be built up to a pilaster but not over it.
9. Stallrisers - Stallrisers are the
blank areas of wall below shop windows. They are useful from a practical as
well as a design point of view. Not only do stallrisers keep glass windows and
internal window displays above pavement level and free from the danger of
accidental damage, but they also help contribute to the proper proportions of
shop fronts.
10. Door position - Door position is
important, depending on the character of the street. If the door position in a
row of shops is to the side, then a centrally placed door would be out-of-keeping
with the street scene.
11. False ceilings - For a variety
of reasons, it is sometimes necessary to install a suspended ceiling which can
give rise to problems where it meets the shopfront. However, false ceilings can
be raked/angled to meet the original ceiling adjacent to the shopfront to avoid
this problem.
Figure 2
Alternative False
Ceiling Arrangements
12. Materials - A great variety of
materials and textures are available. Care should be taken in the selection of
materials for shopfronts and investigations should be made into the options
available. Materials should be in-keeping with the style and colour of the
building on which they are to be mounted. It may be appropriate to use new
materials where they are sympathetic to the character of the area. Timber shop
fronts are preferred in the Conservation Areas and and Townscape Protection
Areas. In the interests of a sustainable environment, the use of tropical
hardwoods is not encouraged.
13. Shop Security - The Council
recognises that shop security is essential but also wishes to encourage
out-of-hours window shopping by the retention of open frontages and interesting
displays. Where extra security is found to be essential then further measures
may be considered according to the following guidelines. The preference is for
the grille-type roller shutter or other blinds to be mounted internally between
windows and displays. If internal arrangements do not allow for this, external
detachable grille-type shutters are preferred or alternatively grille-type
roller shutters will be considered. Roller shutter boxes should be concealed
behind the fascia. No externally stored roller shutters will be allowed. All shutters
should be suitably painted. Where good quality storm doors have been retained
then these should be used in preference to metal shutters. Good lighting for
recessed areas, from within the protected areas, should be provided.
Figure
3
Alternative
Roller Shutter Arrangements
Section showing recessed shutter with box behind
facia
14. Canopies - Traditionally, shop
fronts are often fitted with sloping canvas or linen blinds which form an
integral part of the frame. These, when rolled out, shade the shop window but
when closed there is no projection. Canopies can make a very significant impact
on the amenity of shopping areas and consequently the following detailed
guidance should be adhered to:
14.1 New types of blinds and canopies of varying shapes, sizes and
colours, particularly where it takes the form of a projecting box and opens in
a fixed position, can detract from the character of a building and surrounding
area, particularly where fitted to a
14.2 Types of Canopy - The
most common type of canopy is a folding one framed in the shape of a pram hood
covered with plastic or a fabric material with or without symbols and
lettering. When not in use the canopy
can be folded back on to the wall but cannot be hidden away as in the case of
the boxed blind, and remains when collapsed, an unsightly object on the
building. Another type of canopy which is popular is the rigid type which is
permanently fixed over fascias etc. They are usually of a rounded appearance,
of different shapes and sizes. However,
due to the rigid construction, these canopies become a permanent feature of the
street scene.
Figure 4
Canopy Types
Traditional Canopy Pram
Head Canopy
14.3 Heritage Areas - No modern canopies will be permitted on Listed
buildings (Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest). Where such
buildings contain shop fronts, only the traditional boxed sloping blind will be
allowed if they are appropriate to the character of the building. In
Conservation Areas and Townscape Protection Areas where the preservation of
character of the area is given special attention (see also the Heritage
Guidance Note), no canopies of any description will be permitted on premises
other than shops. Where the Heritage Areas contain shop fronts, traditional
boxed blinds will be preferred, whilst the pram hood and rigid types will
generally be unacceptable.
14.4 Planning Powers: The erection or display of a canopy is regarded by
the Council as a building operation which will materially affect the external
appearance of the building to which it is to be affixed and it, therefore,
constitutes development. Therefore, planning permission IS required for the
erection of a canopy. In some instances, if advertising is displayed on the
canopy, Advertisement Consent may be required rather than Planning Permission.
The Planning Service will advise on this matter and it would be advisable in
all instances to ask the Council about the need to obtain planning permission
and/or Listed Building Consent before erecting a canopy. The provision of a
traditional sun blind (which for instance falls into a blind box and has no
effect on the substance of the building) or the replacement or repair of a
traditional sun blind (for instance by renewing the canvas), will not normally
require planning permission or Listed Building Consent.
14.5 Because of the tendency for canopies to deteriorate over time, all
permissions will be limited to five years, after which an application for
renewal will be requested. Factors used in determining a planning application
are as follows:-
(a) the scale, size, colour, material and appearance of the canopy
related to the building on which it is to be located and its effect on adjacent
buildings; and
(b) the relationship to existing and neighbouring fascias, projecting
signs/advertising near to traffic signs and the detailing of the shop front and
fascia.
(c) Outside of the Heritage Areas, notwithstanding the above guidance
and the general preference for the traditional rolled out shade, the
retractable pram hood types of canopy will be preferred to the rigid type, and
should be provided with closed ends.
(d) Width - Canopies should be restricted to cover the windows and
doors, especially where they are separated by part of the frontage wall of the
building. Canopies should not be enlarged in width to cover pilasters.
(e) Position - Whenever possible the canopies should be positioned
within the recesses of individual windows and doors. Every effort should be
made to minimise and screen the fixing attachment to the building. Where height
above the pavement allows, (see section on public safety below) they must be
mounted below the fascia. Canopies will not, under any circumstances, be
allowed above ground floor level.
(f) Colours - Only matt finishes/colours should be used. One colour
should be used for the main part of the canopy but additional colours can be
used on its margins. The colours should harmonise with the finishes of the
building or the shop front, which ever is applicable.
(g) Public safety - Sun
blinds, canopies, awnings, etc. are subject to legislation with regard to their
height and projection above and beyond a pavement. The Roads (
Figure 5
Dimensions
15. Grant Assistance - A pilot grant
scheme has been developed for Bishopbriggs Town Centre to assist shopkeepers
and shopowners with the costs involved when improving shopfronts to a high
standard. As resources permit, the Council will consider extending the grant
scheme to the other town centres. If you wish more information on this please
contact the Planning Office below.
16. From
Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to
contact:
The Planning Office, Development Quality Section,
The Triangle,
Bishopbriggs G64 2TR
Tel: 0141 578 8000