Shop Front Alterations
Introduction
Melton Local Development Framework Core
Strategy (Preferred Options) dated January 2008 provides the
planning framework for the Borough and covers the period to
2026. The Core Strategy states that one of the Council’s main
priorities is the improvement of the Town Centre. Naturally,
the impact and enhancement of town centre shop fronts is a key part
of the vision for the future of Melton Mowbray.
The character of Melton Mowbray as a small
market town is expressed in the pattern of streets which have
evolved from medieval times and the many attractive buildings that
front onto them. The main shopping area focuses on the Market Place
where there are a variety of small shops and other commercial
premises. The majority are listed buildings of which date from the
Georgian or early Victorian period. The entire shopping area is
also within the Melton Mowbray Conservation Area.
Throughout the years shop fronts have been
added to these buildings in various styles and contribute in a
unique way to the town centre's character. Some of these are worthy
of preservation in their own right. In some instances however
inappropriate shop fronts have resulted in the disfigurement of
buildings.
Alterations
Any material change to the form and style of a
shop front will require the benefit of planning permission from the
Council.
The Council wishes to safeguard the
conservation area and promote its enhancement by ensuring that new
and replacement shop fronts are designed to contribute to the
visual qualities and attractiveness of the street scene.
Considerations When Proposing to Alter a Shop Front
The imposition of corporate colour schemes,
corporate styles and logos within historic streets will often have
obtrusive and overbearing results which fail to give sufficient
attention to the qualities of the location. Whilst Melton
Borough Council accepts the importance of corporate image, it is
considered that in many instances standard designs can be modified
to respect the character of the building and its location.
The Council will discourage the removal of
traditionally detailed window frames and others of architectural
quality. Window subdivisions should reflect the character and
vertical divisions of the building façade. Timber glazing
bars should normally be used to subdivide large expanses of glass,
with smaller paned designs more appropriate for earlier shop
fronts.
Door design typically reflects that of the
shop front. Generally on traditional shop fronts, the door is
part-glazed with a lower kick plate of a height around that of the
stall riser or window sill. Recessed doorways are a
characteristic feature of Victorian and Edwardian buildings which
provide a visual break in the shop front and increase the area of
display space. Within the recess, floors are often decoratively
tiled.
Over the years a range of materials have been
used in shop front construction and decoration and the selection of
appropriate materials and colour schemes is very important.
The designer must ensure historical accuracy on each shop front,
whilst also ensuring that the result harmonises with its
surroundings.
A shop front should be considered first and
foremost as part of the physical fabric of the building. It
should not be treated as a total advertisement. In that
regard colours should complement the building and harmonise with
adjacent shop fronts. Likewise, traditional materials are
most appropriate.
By far the largest proportion of the shop
front is the window area, and it detailing is crucial to the
appearance of the shop front. Extensive areas of glass are
not appropriate on Listed Buildings or within the Conservation
Area.
The earliest shop windows were characterised
by small window panes sub-divided by mullions (vertical glazing
bars) and transoms (horizontal glazing bars). This
subdivision generally reflected that of the building above.
With advances in technology and the removal of excise duty on
windows, shop fronts began to incorporate larger panes.
Whilst larger panes created greater visual separation between the
lower and upper storeys, the proportions of the building as a whole
were generally left intact.
The Council will discourage the removal of
traditionally detailed window frames and others of architectural
quality. Window subdivisions should reflect the character and
vertical divisions of the building façade. Timber glazing
bars should normally be used to subdivide large expanses of glass,
with smaller paned designs more appropriate for earlier shop
fronts.
Retractable sun-blinds can contribute to the
character of the shopping environment and good examples can be
found in the town centre. Plastic 'wetlook' Dutch blinds, balloon
canopies and similar are inappropriate and detract from the
character of the area. Likewise those which display
advertisements and both will be discouraged.
Incorporating Measures for the Disabled and Special Users
Applications for new shop fronts will be
expected to indicate provisions for disabled persons and special
user groups. In particular, it will be important to indicate
how provision is to be made for wheelchair users, parents with
prams/pushchairs, and persons with visual disabilities. Such
groups have difficulties negotiating steps and opening doors.
This should be given very careful consideration at the design stage
and there may be a necessity to try to provide entrance ramps
and/or handrails.
Grants
The Borough Council is aware that the cost of
maintaining historic buildings can be excessive, therefore,
discretionary Historic Building Grants are available towards the
cost of repair and maintenance to help retain their traditional
character and appearance.
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