HANGER HILL (HAYMILLS) ESTATE CONSERVATION AREA
The Haymills estate dates mainly from the mid to late 1930s and was laid out for the Haymills Company by their architects Welch, Cachemaille-day and Lander on the site of the former Hanger Hill Golf Club. The development is notable for the mix of architectural styles, as well as for the overall quality of house design and landscaping.
The Hanger Hill (Haymills) Estate Conservation area was designated on 18 June 1996 and an article 4 direction requiring planning permission for most development affecting street frontages of properties introduced shortly afterwards. The guide identified the principal design features of houses on the estate and was intended to assist householders in ensuring that any alterations to their properties are carried out in as sympathetic a manner as possible.
A review of the Haymills Estate conservation area was completed in Spring 2008. The new conservation area appraisal and management plan was published in March 2008. They are available to view on the Council's website by following the link below. The conservation area appraisal is a historical document setting out the origins of the conservation area concerned and how it has been affected by development over the years. The management plan is more forward-looking and gives advice on how alterations to houses should be made which are in sympathy with the existing estate architecture.
To complement the information in the Design Guide we intend to provide information on specific elements of house design and, in particular, to provide details of contractors who are familiar with the estate and have undertaken work on it to a high standard. If you would like to recommend a contractor or tradesman to us for inclusion on the website please mail details to hhera.com.
If you are contemplating making any changes to your house we strongly recommend that you look at the Management Plan first and ensure that your architect is familiar with its details before submitting any planning application to the Council. If in any doubt consult the Council's Planning Department on 020 8825 6600.
http://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/511/conservation_areas/1025/ealing_conservation_areas/11
WINDOWS
The Management Plan states that planning permission is needed for the replacement windows on the street frontage of a house. It goes on to state that windows are an important element of the character of house, and the wrong type of replacement windows can alter the character drastically. For this reason it is preferable, and often cost-effective, to repair and retain the existing windows (especially where these are original). Metal windows are a recognisable architectural feature of the pre-war modern style of house. The replacement of these windows (especially the curved metal windows of the 'Moderne' style houses) is a serious loss to the character of the individual houses and to the overall interest of the whole estate.
Unless they have been well maintained in the past, the original steel windows can suffer from rust and over painting. However, it is possible to obtain modern metal windows which are rust and draught proofed (and even double glazed) which can be used as direct replacements for pre-war ungalvanised steel windows. There are also specialist contractors who can repair and upgrade original metal windows (often in situ) to avoid the need for their replacement. Likewise, replacement timber windows which replicate the appearance of the original windows can be made to current standards, incorporating sealed double glazed units where required.
If it should be necessary to change the windows then the replacement frames, whatever the material, should be well designed and keep the same proportions as the originals. New windows should precisely replicate the original windows in terms of the size and pattern of glazing bars, including decorative features such as leaded lights.
REPLACEMENT
One of the crucial decisions to make when installing new windows is deciding whether to buy u-PVC or timber framed units. The production and disposal of u-PVC windows leads to the release of highly poisonous chemicals, which threaten the environment and human health. U-PVC production releases no less than six of the fifteen most hazardous chemicals listed by European governments for priority elimination. When u-PVC windows come to be disposed of, many of these chemicals are again released into the environment, either through chemical reactions caused when U-PVC is incinerated or through depositing old u-PVC frames in landfill sites. Developments in timber window design and finishing products mean that modern, high performance timber windows need minimal maintenance and potentially have a significantly longer life than u-PVC. U-PVC windows degrade, they are not maintenance-free and they cannot be repaired when necessary.
The National Building Federation's 'Standards and Quality in Development' gives u-PVC window frames a life expectancy of 20 to 25 years, and vacuum-treated softwood frames 25 to 35 years. According to the Green Building Digest, 'well designed and well maintained timber windows can and do last the lifetime of the building in which they are installed.' Price comparisons are extremely difficult to make because of the enormous variations in quality of both timber and u-PVC frames. Discounts and incentives complicate the picture further. However the widely held assumption that u-PVC provides the cheapest option is often wrong, both in terms of initial capital costs and total costs over the lifetime of the window. U-PVC cannot match the detailing of traditional windows. In contrast, timber has a variable and natural beauty and enormous flexibility for design options. Timber is a sustainable resource. As long as the timber is sourced from properly managed forests and care is taken in the choice of preservatives, paints and stains, timber windows are by far the best environmental choice. In addition, Ealing Council is normally very reluctant to permit replacement of original windows with u-PVC.
PLANNING PERMISSION
Unless like-for-like replacement is envisaged, planning permission is required for all window replacements in house elevations facing a road. This is not always appreciated by window contractors who can mislead householders into replacing windows without planning permission which can lead to expensive and time-consuming enforcement action by the Council with possible reinstatement being sought. If in doubt, seek advice from the Council's planning department on 020 8825 6600 before having any work undertaken and don't accept the assurances of window companies who, sadly, are often ignorant of the planning regulations.
SUPPLIERS
The following are suppliers of modern window replacements. Residents have used them on the estate in the past but we are not able to personally vouch for their services:
Steel windows
Steel Window Association for a list of its members including: www.steel-window-association.co.uk
Crittall Windows: www.crittall-windows.co.uk
Clement Windows: http://www.clementwg.co.uk/
Aluminium windows: JSB Windows: http://www.jsbwindows.co.uk/
Heritage Window Company: http://www.theheritagewindowcompany.co.uk/
Wooden windows, Ealing Wooden Window Co, 56 Northfield Rd, W13 9SY Tel: 020 8566 0606
The Original Box Sash Window Company (also repairs): http://www.boxsash.com/
Aspect Windows (01932 220099) area branch of Timber Windows of Oxford (0845 652 7314); www.timberwindows.com)
SPECIALIST REPAIR COMPANIES
Wooden windows
Michael Morrisroe, 56 Ealing Park Gardens, W5 4EU Tel: 020 8847 1368
Wooden Window Company, 317b Acton Lane, W3 Tel: 020 8992 6376
Metal windows
Steel Windows Service: http://www.steelwindows.co.uk/
Metali Window Service Limited
1 The Broadway, Northolt Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 0DL
Tel: 020 8422 6444
HARDSTANDING
Any changes to front garden hardstanding (other than like-for-like replacement) in the conservation area requires planning permission. The design guide recommends that at least 50% of the front garden should remain planted. This will help preserve the character of the area as well as minimise the risk of water run-off. More information about treatment of front gardens may be found at the website http://www.ealingfrontgardens.org.uk/.
This page contains useful information on the conservation area. It also has help and recommendations when changing or replacing windows.