Fish Island & Hackney Wick South

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FISHFISH ISLANDISLAND & HACKNEYHACKNEY WICKWICK SOUTHSOUTH CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL & DRAFT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

PREPARED BY ROBERT BEVAN FOR LONDON LEGACY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION JANUARY 2014 Page_2 CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background 1.2 The purpose of conservation areas 1.3 The purpose of this report

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 A short history of Hackney Wick and Old Ford 2.2 Status of Fish Island & Hackney Wick South Conservation Area 2.3 Summary of significance and reasons for designation 2.4 The new boundaries

3.0 CHARACTER APPRAISAL AND INDIVIDUAL ASSETS

3. 1 The context and setting of the conservation area 3.2 The character of the Fish Island & Hackney Wick South Conservation Area 3.3 Form, scale and layout of the conservation area 3.4 Land use and activities 3.5 Individual heritage assets and their significance 3.6 Tree Preservation Orders

4.0 MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

4.1 Introduction DRAFTDRAFT 4.2 Guidance for applications 4.3 Policies relevant to the conservation area 4.4 Issues and opportunities for enhancement 4.5 Design principles for the conservation area 4.6 Monitoring change and enforcement

FURTHER READING AND CONTACTS Page_4

© Crown Copyright and Landmark Information Group Limited 2013 all rights reserved. This map may not be reproduced without permission. 676909110 County: LONDON Scale: 1:10,560 Date: 1938 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

The Fish Island & Hackney Wick Tower Hamlets and in Hackney South Conservation Area is in to the north, is the subject of a the London Borough of Tower number of development proposals Hamlets. It was first designated including some of substantial as the Fish Island Conservation scale. Area with more narrow boundaries in October 2008. The Fish Island Conservation Area Character The LLDC commissioned the Appraisal and Management Hackney Wick and Fish Island Guidelines was adopted by Tower Design and Planning Study to help Hamlets in November 2009. Tower guide and control development Hamlets also proposed a White proposals and inform the Post Lane Conservation Area and preparation of its Local Plan. That prepared a draft conservation study (2013) made a number of area appraisal report (July 2012) recommendations in respect of but the designation was not heritage in Hackney Wick and implemented. Fish Island including the extension of the existing Fish Island conservation area and candidate The duties and powers of Tower buildings for local listing. Hamlets as the local planning authority in the Hackney Wick and Fish Island area transferred to This appraisal document should the London Legacy Development be read in conjunction with the Corporation on 1st October 2012 Hackney Wick Conservation under the Localism Act 2011 and Area Appraisal and Management the LLDC (Planning Functions) Guidelines, which has been Order 2012. prepared in parallel for the Hackney Wick Conservation Area to the north of the railway It is part of a transfer of functions line (in the London Borough of previously vested in the Olympic Hackney). These two conservation Delivery Authority, the London areas together cover much of the Thames Gateway Development remaining historic environment of Corporation and the surrounding the wider Hackney Wick area. boroughs.

The area to the east of the conservation area underwent rapid change with the holding of the 2012 London Olympics. Hackney Wick and Fish Island is now the focus of regeneration as part of the Olympic Legacy. Now, Hackney Wick, both within Opposite: Map of Hackney Wick 1938 Page_5 1.2 THE PURPOSE OF CONSERVATION AREAS

A conservation area is an and private spaces such as area of special architectural or gardens, parks and greens; street historic interest “the character trees and street furniture. As well or appearance of which it is as physical form, its character desirable to preserve or enhance” may also be generated, in part, (Planning (Listed Building by the uses or mix of uses that and Conservation Areas) Act happen there. Local views may 1990, s. 69). The purpose of a also be important. It is also conservation area designation recognised that some elements is to help preserve or enhance of a conservation area may not the special character of the contribute to, or could even designated area. detract from, its special interest. These represent opportunities to enhance. A conservation area designation helps a planning authority control and direct development to this In reaching its decisions regarding end. Extra controls operate over proposed developments within a matters such as roof extensions conservation area, the planning or advertisements and there authority is required to pay special is a presumption against the attention to the desirability of demolition of structures or the preserving or enhancing the loss of trees that contribute to the character and appearance of a area’s character or appearance. conservation area. It will also seek Conservation areas are heritage to protect the setting of individual assets in their own right and may elements of the conservation area contain further heritage assets as well as the setting of the area within them in the form of statutory as a whole. or locally listed buildings - or there may be none.

An area’s significance as a heritage asset may be of local, regional or, at times, be of national importance.

It is the area as a whole that is of special interest as well as its individual features. Elements that make up character and appearance include: the historic layout and materials of roads; paths and boundaries; characteristic buildings; public

Page_6 1.3 THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT

This report provides a detailed extend the conservation area. development pressure. This offers analysis of the conservation area’s This is, principally, to take in the many welcome opportunities to architectural and historic character historic industrial buildings around enhance the conservation area in order to define its special White Post Lane and to include and its setting but also poses interest and to assist stakeholders the waterfront environment; part of threats to its special interest if its in understanding this significance, the historic infrastructure and the characteristic elements and uses the desirability of preserving area’s raison d’etre. The extension were to be lost. its special interest, as well as is discussed in more detail below. identifying opportunities for its enhancement. This introduction is followed The report also incorporates by an outline of Hackney Wick assessments regarding locally and Fish Island’s context and This report follows best practice listed buildings in the area as historical development. The area’s guidance including English well as identifying buildings of present state and its key heritage Heritage’s Understanding Place: townscape merit. The latter may assets are then set out and their Historic Area Assessments: not be of sufficient architectural significance described. The issues Principles and Practice (2010) interest to merit individual local affecting the area are summarised and Understanding Place: listing but nonetheless contribute and draft management guidelines Conservation Area Designation, positively to the townscape and to Appraisal and Management the character and appearance of (March 2011). It also has regard the conservation area. to the National Planning Policy It also proposes management Framework (March 2012) that guidelines to assist in preservation sets out policy on conserving and enhancement of the and enhancing the historic conservation area. environment.

At the time of writing, the As part of this process, the area is the subject of intense opportunity is being taken to

Above: View South from Hackney Wick Station

Page_7 Page_8 2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 A SHORT HISTORY OF HACKNEY WICK & OLD FORD

The Hackney Wick and Fish It was the redevelopment of this In the mid 19th century it was Island area has a pattern of snuff mill into a silk works that intended to build a new gas human settlement that extends marked the fi rst stirrings of the works on 30 acres of railway and back to prehistoric times and area as an industrial district. This marshland to the east and south includes substantial activity intensifi ed following the digging of the railway embankments. during the Roman period. It has of the Hackney Cut in 1770 However, a decision to build been conjectured that much of (this now forms part of the Lee the gas works elsewhere led to the activity related to the crossing Navigation); more so following the development instead of a point of the River Lea at Old Ford the creation of the Hertford factory town made up of a loose (near today’s Old Ford Lock) that Union Canal in 1830. These grid of terraced houses and marked a strategic point on the waterways together with the neighbouring factories. Building route between Essex and the navigable River Lea were crucial began c.1878. Fish Island earned London area. Old Ford is fi rst to the area’s future development its name from the series of recorded as Eldeford or Oldeford although the area remained streets that take their names from in the 13th century. No standing predominantly agricultural until freshwater fi sh. monuments remain although there the late 1840s. The coming of the may be signifi cant archaeological railways then hastened the area’s At the same time, the waterways deposits to be discovered. transformation. were upgraded. This led to the development of noxious Until the 19th century, Hackney The North London Railway ran industries including oil and coal Wick, just to the north of Old Ford, on a north-west, south-east tar distilleries – especially in the was a hamlet in the marshland embankment through the area, White Post Lane area just south (Wick derives from a word for beginning services in 1847 with of the railway line in present day farm) reached from Wick Lane. a passenger station at Old Ford Tower Hamlets. This was followed Its principle buildings were Wick Road. From 1856 an additional by the development in the late Hall, a snuff mill and, from the station at Victoria Park served 19th and early 20th century of 1780s, The White Lion public the Hackney Wick area for more factories producing the consumer house. Hackney Brook crossed than 70 years before the line goods for which the area became the area west to east to join the closed. From 1866, an east- known; printing ink, rubber, dry River Lea. west branch line ran through the cleaning, confectionary, plastics northern part of Hackney Wick on and the like. another embankment – testament to the marshy character of the Of these, Clarnico was the largest area. Today’s Hackney Wick (named after its founders Clarke, Station opened on this line in Nickolls and Coombs). It began 1980 as part of the reinstatement in 1872 and was eventually of services between Camden bought by Trebor-Bassett. It used and Stratford. The Victoria Park buildings north east and west of station building and the path of the railway line, some of which the railway line were demolished have since been lost. during construction of the A102 (M) in the 1970s.

Above: Wick Hall in 1830 Opposite: Aerial view of the junction of Hertford Union Canal and Lee Navigation 1921 Page_9 By the end of the 19th century, century factories survived the More recently, there have been the Old Ford/Hackney Wick area Blitz together with associated further losses of historic fabric was an area of intense, often structures such as bridges, locks, in and around Hackney Wick noxious industries isolated from walls and public houses. The through neglect or patchwork surrounding residential areas buildings were repaired after the redevelopment. This has and where materials could be war and remain occupied by happened on a large scale with brought in and out by rail and either traditional or newer creative developments such as the Omega canal system with its links to the industries. Rarely have buildings Works. The character of extant Thames and its docks. The Lee of any architectural quality been historic structures is also being Navigation between Dace Road erected in the post-war period. eroded steadily by the loss of and the Hertford Union Canal original fabric. Historic factories were important wharves for timber have been replaced by storage distribution and related industries The area also changed in the yards or simple portal sheds. were established such as a piano post-war period as factories were factory on Stour Road. replaced by low employment uses such as warehousing and timber The area now forms part of a yards. Further housing clearances cluster of vital creative industries In the late 1880s the Wick Lane took place to the north of the area that are now an established part Rubber Works (founded by where the Greater London Council of its character. These new uses Birnbaum of Spitalfields) and the built the Trowbridge Estate (1965 began in the early 1980s in the cardboard box printing works – the - 1970). This development also Tower Hamlets section of Hackney Britannia Works – were built and erased historic street patterns. The Wick but have since spread to the factories in this part of Fish high–rise towers of the estate were the point where the Hackney Island demonstrate innovations in in turn demolished and made way Wick area as a whole now as the industrial construction. A number for low- and medium-rise housing most dense concentration of artist of buildings incorporate rare in the 1990s. studios in the UK. “transitional structures” – that is, the transition from the use of cast and wrought iron and timber to steel and reinforced concrete.

Hackney Wick and Fish Island reached their peak in respect of an accumulation of what is now regarded as historic fabric in the period immediately preceding the Second World War. The story from then on is (with rare exceptions) of a catastrophic loss of this fabric – due to bombing followed by slum clearance, railway closures and motorway building.

Some late 19th/early 20th Above: Booth’s Poverty Map of 1889 showing residential either side of the Hertford Union canal. Page_10 2.2 STATUS OF THE FISH 2.3 SUMMARY OF ISLAND & HACKNEY WICK SIGNIFICANCE AND CONSERVATION AREA REASONS FOR DESIGNATION EXTENSION The Fish Island Conservation As well as its historic buildings totality of the experience that is Area as declared in October 2008 and distinctive pattern of important to the character of the centred on the industrial buildings streets and yards, Fish Island & conservation area whether this be of Dace, Smeed and Bream Hackney Wick South’s special a mooring post, a length of fi eld Streets and part of Stour Road. Its interest derives, in part, from stone bank or an entire bridge. accompanying conservation area infrastructure such as the Lee The wider boundaries now appraisal document was adopted Navigation, the Hertford Union designated include the Hertford in November 2009. Canal and the Northern Outfall Union Canal east to the motorway The area’s character derives in Sewer. It is considered vital to and the Lee Navigation up to part from infrastructure such as include this infrastructure in the the southern embankment of the waterways and its distinctive extended conservation area in the railway carrying the London pattern of streets and yards but order to preserve and enhance Overground line through Hackney this was not entirely explored the character and appearance of Wick station. The boundary in the 2008 designation. The the historic waterside environment also encompasses more of the London Borough of Tower as well the individual structures retaining wall and embankment Hamlets made preparatory and groups of buildings sitting of the Northern Outfall Sewer (the work for the designation of an within the area. Greenway) and Old Ford Lock. additional conservation area The extension covers surviving centered on the White Post Lane The development of the canal clusters of historic fabric including area and including part of the system is the reason why those around White Post Lane, Lee Navigation and the environs Hackney Wick’s (including Fish Stour Road and either side of the of the Hertford Union Canal. A Island’s) industrialisation came waterways. It encompasses the draft conservation area appraisal about and alongside the later surviving historic street pattern followed but no designation was railways formed a transportation including the area’s characteristic made before planning powers system that was the catalyst yards. A number of individual transferred to LLDC on 1st for the emergence of a unique buildings and structures have October 2012. creativity and innovation. The also been identifi ed as worthy canals are themselves heritage of local listing. These are set out assets that are intrinsic to the below. waterside character of the area and they are part of the wider The late Victorian and Edwardian canal system within east London periods witnessed the burgeoning that has been protected by of the consumer age with the heritage designations in a number rapid growth of the middle of other locations. class as well as technological innovation. Fish Island and As pieces of strategically Hackney Wick South was, as part important infrastructure, of Hackney Wick, a nationally waterways, railways and sewers important centre for these are subject to gradual material innovations and for factories change. Nonetheless, the canals, that served these new markets Northern Outfall Sewer, and the and new society. This included locks and bridges over the canal the world’s fi rst plastics (to remain suffi ciently intact to be the north of the railway line), historically important as authentic early developments in petrol survivors of the past. It is the production, dyes, printing, rubber Page_11 garments, dry-cleaning, pianos Examples include Queen’s Yard to all these elements in deciding and extensive confectionary and the yards off Dace Road. that it is desirable to protect this production. Many of the buildings Many losses occurred during interest and to seek to preserve involved in these and related the war and following post war and enhance it holistically by processes remain in existence. clearances, including the removal extending the conservation area’s Some of the industrialists had of all purpose-built residential boundaries. premises operating both north development apart from two In widening the boundaries and south of the railway line at the premises adjacent to the Lord of the conservation area to same time. Individual buildings Napier Public House. The historic preserve its special physical also changed use on occasion residential street pattern, however, and socio-economic interest, from one innovative use to survives in large part. it is also recognised that this another. Some of the industrialists Further losses to the area’s will mean some buildings and were suppliers to other related historic fabric have occurred empty sites are included within industries in the area. within recent decades. While this the conservation area that do This cross-fertilization is part has resulted in further erosion to not necessarily contribute to of Fish Island & Hackney Wick the area’s historic character, the its character and appearance. South’s special interest as a surviving elements of some of These represent extensive conservation area. It is expressed these lost structures contribute opportunities for the enhancement in the architecture of its buildings. to the area’s architectural of the conservation area in This extends not only to the interest and insular, ‘backwater’ accordance with paragraphs external form and scale of the character. These include the 126, 130,131,137 and 138 of buildings such as extensive roof remaining boundary walls that the NPPF while preserving its lights and the use of stock, red edge towpaths and that mark individual assets, their group and engineering bricks but also the historic relationship between value and characteristic uses in the innovative structure of the industrial premises and the and the settings of all heritage some of the buildings which use waterside, and the boundary walls assets including the setting of the ‘transitional’ engineering solutions of the Hope Chemical Works and conservation area itself and the that mark the transition from Yard which defi ne the west end of canal-side environment. cast-iron and timber industrial White Post Lane. buildings to steel and concrete. The post war period, after It should also be noted that the Many of these buildings remain a period of decline, saw a various elements of the character along Dace Road and White Post continuation of the area’s history and appearance of the area apply Lane. The contribution of such of creativity. Since 1980, artists’ across Hackney Wick and Fish transitional structures to British studios have developed that have Island as an entity – that is the architectural history has only maintained innovative production wider area north and south of the recently been explored. in new ways. These now well- railway line. This wider Hackney The morphology of the area – the established uses are part of a Wick and Fish Island area should, space between buildings and the unique continuity in form and therefore, be seen as a totality scale of the buildings relating to related functions. that further enhances the special these spaces – is also essential It is this complex interaction of interest of the conservation areas to its special interest. The series the social and industrial history, on each side of the railway line. of industrial yards that developed architecture, engineering and However, because of a desire to off its principal streets form part of productive uses, as well as the avoid a designation that crosses its character even where all of the morphology of the conservation London Borough boundaries, historic buildings fronting these area that constitute its special two separate boundary yards have not survived in full. interest. Regard has been had extensions rather than one larger Page_12 2.4 THE NEW BOUNDARIES

conservation area has been The boundary of the extended seen as practical for the long conservation area has the term. The decision to extend the Greenway as its southern edge. Fish Island Conservation Area The back of the towpath of the has been taken at the same Lee Navigation is its east side, time as the decision to extend widening to incorporate the the Hackney Wick Conservation setting of Old Ford Lock and the Area north of the railway line. It Energy Centre building (formerly has also been renamed the Fish part of the King’s Yard site of the Island & Hackney Wick South Clarnico Works). The northern Conservation Area in recognition boundary follows the railway of the geographical extent of the east-west along its southern area. embankment and the south side of the railway bridge across the Conservation areas can be Lee Navigation. It then extends of local, regional or national to the middle of the roadway importance, which renders them of Wallis Road (within Tower of medium or high signifi cance, Hamlets) and White Post Lane, respectively, as heritage assets. turning south at 92 White Post Because of its special place in Lane to incorporate the McGrath the UK’s industrial history and site and the bottom lock of the its unique physical record of this Hertford Union Canal. It then history of providing consumer follows the waterway around to goods and services including the south side of the Omega innovations such as dry- Works development and then cleaning, petrol, confectionary turns inland to take in the Carlton and rubber goods, the Hackney chimney and the eastern and Wick and Fish Island area could southern streets of Fish Island. be regarded as being of high This boundary is set out in the signifi cance. However, because plan on page 14 of the losses to the fabric of the area, the signifi cance of the Fish Island & Hackney Wick South Conservation Area as a heritage asset can be regarded as medium to high. The signifi cance of each of the conservation areas reinforces that of the other, enhancing the special interest of both areas. This signifi cance assessment should be reviewed upwards if individual items are statutorily listed.

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Page_14 FISH ISLAND AND HACKNEY WICK SOUTH CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY

Fish Island & Hackney Wick South Conservation Area Boundary

Locally Listed Buildings

9. Lord Napier Public House and adjacent housing 10. Everett House

11. Queens Yard and Kings Yard/Energy Centre (former Clarnico Works) 12. Carpenter's Road Bridge

13. 92 White Post Lane 14. McGrath House and Outbuildings

15. Bottom lock of Hertford Union Canal 16. Carlton Chimney

17. Broadwood’s Piano Factory and Timber Yard Gatehouse 18. Algha Works

19. Wick Lane Rubber Works (East) 20. Wick Lane Rubber Works (West)

21. Britannia Works 22. Swan Wharf

23. Old Ford Lock 24. Northern Outfall Sewer Bridge

Buildings of Townscape Merit

d. Hope Chemical Works Wall e. 14 Queen’s Yard f. McGrath Site Boundary Wall to the Hereford Union Canal g. Stour Space, 7 Roach Road and buildings to North.

h. 3 Sets of Crane Rails & Ramps i. Retaining wall and steps to the Greenway

Page_15 Page_16 3.0 CHARACTER APPRAISAL AND INDIVIDUAL ASSETS

3.1 THE CONTEXT AND SETTING OF THE CONSERVATION AREA

The Fish Island & Hackney Wick part of both conservation areas’ South Conservation Area is within hinterland. the London Borough of Tower Hamlets some five miles north of the River Thames. At this point, the To the south of the Greenway, eastern boundary of the borough the curves of Wick Lane and is defined by the River Lea, which the waterways south of Old Ford follows an approximately north- Lock are also part of the setting south direction from Tottenham of the Fish Island & Hackney down to the Thames at Canning Wick South Conservation Area. Town. Hackney Wick lies west of The former Christ Church Mission the Old River Lea (which rejoins (1890) and industrial buildings the Lee Navigation south of Old on Crown Close as well as the Ford Lock) and the Olympic (much altered) public house Park and east of Victoria Park. To and Standard Ammonia Works the south is Roman Road, Old warehouse on the south side of Ford and Bow. The area south Iceland Street are among the of the Greenway is outside the surviving 19th century structures conservation area and has been that contribute positively to this designated a Strategic Industrial setting. Location by Tower Hamlets. It is identified as Fish Island South in the Fish Island Area Action Plan (adopted September 2012).

The Fish Island & Hackney Wick South Conservation Area contains no formal public buildings but the surrounding area contains a number of significant buildings that form part of Hackney Wick’s context and that contribute to the overall setting of the conservation area. These buildings include (to the north, within the LB Hackney) the mission church of St Mary of Eton, designed and built in 1889- 92 by G. F. Bodley (1827-1907). The mission was responding to the worsening economic climate in the area and associated poverty. Gainsborough School and the Public Baths on Eastway (now the Wick Community Centre) also survive to the north and form Opposite: Kings Yard and the Energy Centre from the Lee Navigation Page_17 3.2 THE CHARACTER OF THE FISH ISLAND & HACKNEY WICK CONSERVATION AREA

The area is characterised by small Lock have been heavily remodeled clusters of industrial buildings, and united as one house in the which, unlike the large-scale 1990s. industrial structures of primary industries that have long been recognised as part of the Britain’s The conservation area’s extant heritage, were engaged in the buildings date from the 1860s invention and production of onwards with a number of goods relating to the birth of structures from the late 19th and the consumer age and whose early 20th centuries and some heritage significance has, to date, post-war buildings that have been largely overlooked. replaced earlier factories. The conservation area retains much of its original street pattern. Although The factories housed a range of the 19th century residential activities such as confectionary architecture has almost completely manufacture, dye works, vanished, there are live-work waterproof cloth works, chemical, units in some former industrial varnish, ink and printing works buildings (especially around Dace and other such related uses. Road). Some recent, large-scale French entrepreneur Achille Serre, residential developments on the who introduced dry cleaning to waterways are of a scale, form and England, had industrial premises appearance that is detrimental that fall within the conservation to the overall character and area. appearance of the conservation area. Just off Wallis Road to the south of the railway line, Eugene . Carless established a distilling and oil refining business that later invented the brand name ‘petrol’. Industrial buildings and wharfs started to line the waterside of the Lee Navigation and Hertford Union Canal with some premises having openings that provided access to the towpaths. A number of factories changed their usage over time.

With the exception of the housing adjacent to the Lord Napier public house, all the 19th century residential buildings have been cleared. The lock keepers cottages to the east of Old Ford Above: Lord Napier public house, 1967

Page_18 3.3 FORM, SCALE AND LAYOUT OF THE CONSERVATION AREA

There are two primary groupings a particular sense of place. of the conservation area and of surviving historic industrial historic infrastructure in their Yards associated with factories or buildings – those around White own right have, as is normal for groups of factories are an integral Post Lane and those around working infrastructure, had their part of its distinctive character Dace Road. These are in areas structures substantially reworked such as Queen’s Yard and the identified as Fish Island North at various periods. Some original yards of Dace Road. The yards and Fish Island Mid in the Tower fieldstone banks remain on the can be extensive or more tightly Hamlets Area Action Plan. A reaches between the boathouse confined and are put to various secondary group of industrial south past Old Ford Lock, but purposes – simply as parking or structures is located near the sheet-piling has replaced this in loading or for activities related junction of Roach Road and Stour many areas resulting in the canals to the creative activities and Road. These clusters and their being of slightly less significance industrial buildings that surround individual buildings are identified as heritage assets than they them. in the section on heritage assets would otherwise have been. This below. assessment does not diminish their importance to the formation With the exception of the linear of the character and appearance Greenway that runs along the top The historic industrial buildings of the conservation area. of the Northern Outfall Sewer, vary in height from two to six there are no formal open spaces storeys with post-war development or parks within the conservation generally low-rise and of one The decline of industry in area but the towpath and spaces or two storeys. There are large Hackney Wick and Fish Island associated with the waterways act vacant lots throughout the in the post-war period, and the as informal public spaces. The area where buildings have change of use of the waterways yards are also sometimes capable been demolished which offer from predominantly industrial to of supporting this function too. opportunities for enhancement. recreational routes with moorings for houseboats, has been accompanied by the growth of The towpath along the eastern There is a great diversity in informal greenery. As well as side of the Lee Navigation is architectural languages evident being an ecological habitat, these well-trafficked by pedestrians and in the area – although brick green areas are an important foil cyclists, as is the towpath on the predominates. Within the to the industrial buildings and north side of the Hertford Union conservation area and in the help form its present, low key, Canal (including the section where wider Hackney Wick area, these backwater character. it turns north at its confluence with bricks may be London stocks the Lee Navigation up to White or hard red or blue engineering Post Lane). There are additional bricks. Especially prevalent is This character is especially waterside spaces such as that to a combination of stock brick pronounced along the north side the east of Queen’s Yard. These walls with blue brick plinths and of the Hertford Union Canal and towpaths are amenity spaces detailing and segmental arches, around Old Ford Lock where with opportunities for adjacent iron or steel lintels and metal- water, trees and other vegetation recreational, cultural and leisure framed windows that may also dominate the built form. This is uses. be framed in contrasting brick. reinforced by the heavy planting Collectively, there is a robust, on the Newham side of the utilitarian aesthetic and scale that, borough boundary such as when coupled with the ‘island’ The canals, while a crucial around the Thames Water site nature of Hackney Wick, results in element of the historic character Page_19 next to the Greenaway. The lock element of the character of the itself, although bomb damaged, conservation area. Views within has historic interest and is a Dace Road and among the key feature of this part of the extant buildings on and around conservation area as is the lower White Post Lane are much more lock on the Hertford Union Canal. urban in character. The latter has partial green views past the Energy Centre towards the In addition to the historic Olympic Park although these are structures bridging the waterways expected to change to a mixture (the rail bridge, the White Post of residential and parkland. View Lane bridge, footbridges over the across the area are punctuated locks and the Northern Outfall by the surviving former industrial Sewer) other bridges have been chimneys including those within built in recent years, providing the setting of the conservation further linkages through the area such at that at the Big Yellow area. The recent bridge across self-storage facility. the Hertford Canal is somewhat rudimentary in appearance. The Greenway is an important green space that allows attractive Views from Dace Road eastwards high-level views across Fish Island towards the lock and the Olympic and helps form the area’s insular Park beyond, and to and from character. towpaths are an important

Above: Corner of Lee Navigation and Hertford Union Canal before redevelopment, 1985

Page_20 3.4 LAND USE AND ACTIVITIES

The area has been in industrial use since the 1860s onwards and has grown, been adapted and re-built to accommodate changing industrial trends. Wartime and post-war losses to the fabric have, however, been considerable. The buildings and the area today continue to accommodate commercial uses such as workshops, warehouses and light industrial activities as well artists’ and photographers’ studios, art galleries, design ateliers and other creative uses. There are also performance spaces around Queens Yard and a series of cafes, mainly along the waterfront.

Today the area is known for its concentration of creative industries and a considerable percentage of the active floorspace in the conservation area is occupied by these uses. This distinctive, local creative community utilises the historic buildings as studios and live-work spaces, is expressed externally in the area’s street art and represents continuity in the area’s historic employment character. The cafes and mixed- use ventures such as the Stour Space (café, gallery and artists’ studios) form part of this character.

Above: The White Building; A Centre for Art, Technology and Sustainability at Queens Yard

Page_21 3.5 INDIVIDUAL HERITAGE ASSETS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

The heritage significance of locally listed buildings identified in individual assets that are locally this document should, therefore, listed is set out in brief below. This consult the Greater London list does not include all structures Historic Environment Record to that potentially contribute establish if any structure has been positively to the character and listed since publication. appearance of the conservation area. It should not be interpreted that only locally listed buildings BUILDINGS OF TOWNSCAPE are worthy of retention. MERIT Using broadly standard Buildings of townscape merit are significance assessment identified that are not of sufficient measures, locally listed buildings architectural merit in themselves are of low (local) significance, to warrant local or statutory listing conservation area of medium but contribute positively to the (regional) significance and character and appearance of listed buildings of high (national) the conservation area and have significance. A medium or medium some significance in that regard. to high evaluation suggests the Proposals to replace or radically building could be a candidate alter such buildings should result for statutory listing. There are no in structures of equal merit in statutorily listed buildings in the terms of their ability to preserve conservation area at present. or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area. LOCALLY LISTED BUILDINGS The planning authority has CHARACTER AREAS OF THE identified a number of buildings CONSERVATION AREA worthy of local listing that are both of intrinsic special interest and The buildings and places of contribute to the character and interest can be divided into appearance of the conservation clusters. The areas between them area and its special historic and contain many post-war buildings architectural interest. There is a and vacant sites that are of no presumption in national planning heritage significance. However, policy in favour of retaining the historic infrastructure and road buildings that contribute to this layout survive in large part and character and appearance and have significance. safeguarding their setting. Some of these buildings also have the potential to be designated as statutorily listed buildings during the lifetime of this guidance. Applicants proposing works to any

Page_22 3.5.1 DACE ROAD CLUSTER BBritanniaritannia WorksWorks ((1898-991898-99 ppluslus SSwanwan WWharfharf sstabletable bblocklock ((1906-1906- aadditions)dditions) SSouth-side,outh-side, DDaceace RRoadoad 11912),912), SSouth-side,outh-side, DDaceace RRoadoad The former Wick Lane Rubber Works, east and west of Smeed Locally listed Locally listed Road were contained in a Three storeys. Built as the Three storeys. Late transitional complex of 14 buildings built Britannia Folding Box Company structure of cast-iron columns and between 1882 and 1889. It is and later the Percy Dalton peanut steel floor beams. Attractive stock possibly England’s only surviving factory. In operation until 1973. brick facades with blue brick trim steam-powered, steam process From 1980 it has been occupied but original window frames and rubber works. These buildings, by artists studios. Angled eastern ramp removed. Later extension to which also include a former end added 1907. Rare transitional eastern end with concrete frame multi-storey stable, box factory structure on two floors of concrete and part brick infill panels. East and other buildings either side of upper floors on cruciform steel end is now residential. Dace Road, are a rare surviving stanchions and steel beams with rolled steel joist lintels, cast-iron group of transitional structures mullions, blue brick cills. West (from cast-iron and timber to across the road is the Percy Listing includes fletton brick steel and concrete). They form Dalton Group office building, a coherent and complementary former workshop and forge of the formerly the gatehouse to the Safety Tread Syndicate (1904) to group of medium to high heritage Britannia Works. significance. From 1980 onwards, south on west bank of River Lea. many of these structures have been occupied by artists’ studios. A grouping of early 20th century/ inter-war structures of one and two Of low to medium significance storeys to the south of the main for their architectural and historic works is included within the listing. interest and every effort should be made to preserve them. They contribute positively to the The locally listed buildings are character and appearance of the of medium to high significance conservation area. for their architectural and historic interest and every effort should be made to preserve them. They contribute positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Page_23 FFormerormer WWickick LLaneane RRubberubber WWorksorks FFormerormer WWickick LaneLane RubberRubber WWorksorks AAlghalgha WorksWorks (1908)(1908) eastside,eastside, wwaterproofaterproof clothingclothing bbuildings,uildings, ((1886-1889)1886-1889) – northsidenorthside ooff DDaceace SSmeedmeed RRoadoad ((1882-1887),1882-1887), nnorthsideorthside ooff DDaceace RRoad,oad, easteast ooff SSmeedmeed RRoadoad Locally Listed RRoad,oad, westwest ofof SmeedSmeed RRoadoad Locally listed Locally listed Four storeys and two-storey Built for Waterlow & Sons printers offices and farina house (1887) by Henry C Smart. Raised ground First factory to built on Fish Is- with blind arcade. Four storey floor over semi-basement plus land road layout. Four storeys waterproof clothing element three upper floors. Window bays with red brick arches and details. by Maxwell & Tuke (1889) with form a giant arcade. Loading bay Windows replaced under original transitional timber, cast-iron and and wall crane. Concrete and steel iron or steel lintels. Transitional steel structure. Later part of Percy transitional structure. Innovative structure with timber upper ﬂ oors, Dalton’s Peanut factory. Boiler prismatic stall-boards light the House to Dace Road remains but rolled-iron or steel girders and semi-basement. cast-iron columns. factory chimney cut down. Rubber works closed 1906 and this Of medium to high signiﬁ cance element renamed Old Ford Works Of medium to high significance for their architectural and historic and used by Waterlow & Sons as banknote and stamp printers. Now for its architectural and historic interest and every effort should interest and every effort should be be made to preserve them. They occupied by Bridge Riley Studios on upper floors. made to preserve it. It contributes contribute positively to the char- positively to the character and acter and appearance of the Of medium to high significance appearance of the conservation conservation area. for their architectural and historic area. interest and every effort should be made to preserve them. They contribute positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Page_24 3.5.2 STOUR ROAD CLUSTER BBroadwood’sroadwood’s pianopiano ffactoryactory andand CCarltonarlton chimney,chimney, landland southsouth ooff ggatehouse,atehouse, BBeachyeachy RRoadoad CCrownrown Wharf,Wharf, RoachRoach RRoad.oad. Between the roadways and the water, along Roach Road, Stour Locally listed Locally listed Road and Bream Street, are a series of industrial structures that, individually, are not architecturally Remaining structures of John Circular red brick stack with blue distinguished, but together, and Broadwood & Sons piano factory, brick cornice (1899 -1900) by taking into account creative uses, built 1902 –1932, that once took builders J Chessum & Sons for are of interest. They include the up the entire city block and their own Crown Wharf builders surviving red brick Carlton brick produced up to 3000 pianos yard. Until 2000 the name chimney (1899-1900) directly annually as well as aircraft parts ‘Younger’ in sheet-steel letters was south of the Omega Works in wartime. A tapering square fixed to the structure referring to (formerly Crown Wharf), Stour stock brick chimney stack and the cabinet works once on the site Space and building to its north re-roofed three storey boiler house (c.1932). and south at Vittoria Wharf, remain together with truncated and the single-storey stock walls of other structures. Opposite, brick, hipped roof building that at corner or Beachy Road and Of low significance for its is built into the wall to its west Roach Road, the one storey architectural and historic interest (the gatehouse to the former hipped roof, stock brick gatehouse and every effort should be made Broadwood’s timber yard). to the Broadwood timber-yard is to preserve it. It contributes included in the listing. positively to the character and appearance of the conservation Also of interest is the loosely area gridded street layout of Fish Of low significance for their Island. The residential buildings architectural and historic interest have been cleared but the and every effort should be made distinctive layout, punctuated by to preserve them. They contribute mature, pollarded plane tree that positively to the character and allow long, straight vistas between appearance of the conservation the conservation area and its area. setting, remains. The surviving buildings on the east side of Stour Road have some significance.

Page_25 3.5.3 WHITE POST LANE EEverettverett HHouse,ouse, WWhitehite PostPost LLaneane FFormerormer CClarnicolarnico WWorks:orks: WWhitehite CLUSTER BBuilding,uilding, 7 Queen’sQueen’s Yard,Yard, formerformer Locally listed cchocolatehocolate ffactory,actory, 9 QQueen’sueen’s YYard,ard, White Post Lane is the main east- EEnergynergy CCentre,entre, King’sKing’s YardYard west route through Hackney Wick south of the railway line. Many of Set at angle between White Post Locally Listed its industrial buildings have been Lane and Queen’s Yard, it is an lost, or remain only as vestiges. Edwardian commercial structure The latter include the 19th century built in 1911 for the offices of These buildings and some later perimeter walls to the Hope Achille Serre whose name is still structures of little historic interest Chemical Works and the yard wall just visible at parapet level. It is in form elements of the former to the west of the canal towpath red brick with rusticated corner Clarnico confectionary works on on the Lee Navigation below piers and a partial dentil cornice. White Post Lane. Other buildings White Post Lane bridge. However, An older, three-story eastern wing within the complex have been around Queen’s Yard and King’s (c1898) was probably built as a demolished. It was one of six Yard (west and east of the canal), dye warehouse. Clarnico works in the area. a group of substantial historic factory buildings remains along with the original street pattern. An early 20th century building to The White Building, now used The yards themselves, usually its east at 14 Queen’s Yard is a as a brewery cultural space and un-gated and accessible are also building of townscape merit. bar, is a two-storey, white painted key element of the character of the brick building with tall ceilings and area. windows facing the canal. It was Of low to medium significance built as a chemical warehouse for its architectural and historic in the late 19th century but later interest and every effort should be used by the Clarnico company. It made to preserve it. It contributes is concrete framed with a lean-to positively to the character and roof of c.1921. appearance of the conservation area. This is attached as an annexe to the former chocolate factory at 9 Queen’s Yard (1913 -1914).

Page_26 The latter is an imposing five- 9922 WhiteWhite PostPost LaneLane ((1904-51904-5 & 1923-1923- storey brick building with brick 44)) pilasters facing White Post Lane Locally listed that complements 92 White Post Lane. Basement lights respond to the slope of the road. Most of its original windows have been This set of linked buildings formed replaced. The Queen’s Yard part of Achille Serre’s dying and Clarnico buildings were used as a dry cleaning works. Four storeys. furniture factory in the 1960s. Built 1904 with transitional structural elements and in 1923. The fourth, most southerly building was demolished in 1995. Of stock brick The remaining brick building of with red brick and blue bull-nosed King’s Yard sits parallel to the brick detail, they are used as artists canal on its east bank and was studios and workshops. built as the starch department of the Clarnico works (1904-05). It has a transitional structure and has been restored as the Of medium significance for their Energy Centre. Belfast trusses architectural and historic interest from a demolished boiler house and every effort should be made that was adjacent in King’s Yard to preserve them. They contribute are retained off-site for re-use. positively to the character and Some remaining buildings have appearance of the conservation area. transitional structures.

Of medium to high significance for their architectural and historic interest and every effort should be made to preserve them. They contribute positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Page_27 MMcGrathcGrath HouseHouse andand outbuildings,outbuildings, LLordord NapierNapier PublicPublic House,House, 2525 HHepscottepscott RoadRoad WWhitehite PPostost LLaneane Locally listed Locally listed

Main building, flat roofed three- Built c.1865, the two storey storey building of 1905-06 (but pub and two houses adjoining altered) was formerly part of Lush to the north are in a basic mid & Cook dye works. The street 19th century classical style with pattern has been altered but the parapets concealing the roof. building once stood on Allanmouth Windows have been replaced in Road opposite Combass Road large part although the houses – both now vanished residential retain some sashes. Pub frontage roads. The joint company (formed is possibly inter-war. These 1891) extended south and west buildings are important as the towards the Hertford Union Canal. sole survivors of the mid Victorian Two pitched roof, stock brick residential development of the buildings, one, a partial survival at area south of the railway. right-angles to the canal behind the main building and one parallel to the canal further west are also Of low significance for their of interest. architectural and historic interest and every effort should be made to preserve them. They contribute Of low to medium significance positively to the character and for their architectural and historic appearance of the conservation interest and every effort should area. be made to preserve them. They contribute positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Page_28 3.5.4 INFRASTRUCTURE was not a commercial success SSewerewer BridgeBridge overover RiverRiver LLeaea andand and became part of the Grand wwartimeartime defencedefence structuresstructures In addition to the railway, the Union Canal in 1927. There are waterways and the Northern Locally listed three locks, the most westerly Outfall Sewer are the largest of which (outside the LLDC Bazalgette’s historic High and and among the most defining boundary) is statutorily listed. Middle Level sewers meet at Wick features of the area and contribute Lane and are contained within considerably to its special the Greenway embankment. This interest and to the character and Northern Outfall Sewer crosses appearance of the conservation the river in cast-iron tubes area. As pieces of infrastructure suspended from a wrought-iron they are subject to gradual change bridge (1862-63). This was later but the waterways and northern widened. At the south west corner outfall sewer remain historically of the bridge is the concrete apron important and authentic survivors. of the outfall at the lost confluence There are some specific items – with Hackney Brook, A Second bridges, locks, ramps and rails for World War pill box and tank barrier travelling cranes for example, that piers sit on the embankment merit being identified as notable above the bridge’s west side. features but it is also the totality of the experience that is important, whether this be a mooring post, a field stone bank or an entire Of medium significance for their bridge; small and large elements architectural and historic interest combine to make the whole. and every effort should be made to preserve them. The bridge contributes positively to the character and appearance of the The Act to build the Lee conservation area. Navigation (or Hackney Cut at this point) was granted 29th June 1767 and construction followed with widening completed by 1777. There were further improvements throughout the 19th century including the cutting of new and larger locks. After nationalization in 1948, locks were duplicated and mechanised. There was some rebuilding work after bomb damage, particularly around Old Ford Lock.

The Hertford Union Canal is 1.5 km long and connects the Regent’s Canal to the Lea Navigation. It opened in 1830 but Page_29 OOldld FordFord LLock,ock, LLeeee NNavigationavigation OOldld FFordord LLowerower LLock,ock, NNo3,o3, WWhitehite PPostost LLane,ane, rroadoad bbridgeridge ooverver Locally listed HHertfordertford UnionUnion CanalCanal LLeeee NavigationNavigation Locally listed Locally listed

At the south end of the Hackney Cut/Lee Navigation. The pair of locks were replaced c.1856 At the east end of the Hertford Connecting the former Clarnico when their height was raised. Union Canal. This is the most plants, east and west of the Lee Metal footbridge connects to easterly of three sets of locks Navigation, this wrought iron plate Dace Road. The retaining walls along the 1830 canal. girder bridge with the roadway were of Kentish ragstone but divided by the structure has brick have been heavily remodelled piers with the remains of lantern in concrete and sheet pile in the Of low to medium significance standards. Built c.1904 but altered. post war period following bomb damage including the creation of for its architectural and historic a modernist mid-lock cabin. Old interest and every effort should be Ford Lock House to the east was made to preserve it. It contributes Of low significance for its heavily remodeled in the early positively to the character and architectural and historic interest 1990s. It is not locally listing but appearance of the conservation and every effort should be made it and its leafy grounds contribute area. to preserve it. It contributes to the setting of the lock. The positively to the character and three sets of disused ramps on appearance of the conservation the towpath to the north of Old Ford Lock, two with rails, are area. remnants of a west-east crane railway used to unload timber to the large timber yards that stood here and they contribute to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Of low to medium significance for its architectural and historic interest and every effort should be made to preserve it. It contributes positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Page_30 HHopeope CChemicalhemical WWorksorks wallswalls 1144 Queen’sQueen’s YardYard BBoundaryoundary WWallall bbetweenetween MMcGrathcGrath ssiteite aandnd tthehe HHertfordertford UUnionnion CCanalanal

Structure of Townscape Merit Building of Townscape Merit Structure of Townscape Merit

The walled island block The McGrath site was originally between White Post Lane and Single-storey, brick-faced a dye works then used by dry Wallis Road is the remains of building with saw-toothed roof cleaners before becoming part of the pioneering Carless, Capel incorporating north-facing roof the Carless, Capel and Leonard and Leonard’s Hope Chemical lights. The form and materials premises. The building adjoining Works, established in 1859. It of its utilitarian architecture the tall brick boundary wall east of became the country’s main crude contribute positively to Queen’s the main building is on the site of petroleum distillery, coining the Yard. an early oil works. Until the 1950s, word petrol for its product in 1893 crude oil was delivered by barge and also supplying dry cleaning and pumped by barge across the ﬂ uid to the local industry. The towpath. The wall forms part of walls date from 1891. the historic backdrop to the canal.

Page_31 SStourtour Space,Space, 7 RoachRoach Road,Road, andand CCranerane railsrails andand rrampsamps oonn eeasternastern TThehe GGreenwayreenway rretainingetaining wwallall aandnd bbuildingsuildings itsits northnorth andand southsouth ttowpathowpath ofof tthehe LLeeee NNavigationavigation sstepsteps lleadingeading ffromrom DDaceace RRoadoad

Building of Townscape Merit Structure of Townscape Merit Structure of Townscape Merit

These brick buildings of one- and The towpath rises over three The Greenway path runs along two-storeys stretching between disused ramps, two with rails that the top of Bazalgette’s Northern the former timber yard gatehouse once carried travelling cranes Outfall Sewer of 1860-64 that is and chimney of the former Crown used to unload timber barges. buried within the embankment. Wharf Yard are in a variety of The canted brick retaining wall to uses including a café, studios the north side of the embankment and arts space. They are of no incorporates a ﬂ ight of steps with great intrinsic architectural merit the remains of a lamp standard but in their form and materials and is important in forming part of and uses contribute positively to the insular character of this part of the townscape of this part of the the conservation area. conservation area. Stour Space and the building to the south (beyond a recent metal-clad block) relate well to the waterfront.

Page_32 Above: Former Clarnico Works, White Post Lane Page_33 3.6 TREE PRESERVATION ORDERS

While at its industrial height, trees its setting. In some locations where trees around Old Ford Lock are are and other vegetation did not form buildings have been lost entirely, now subject to TPOs – including part of the Hackney Wick townscape, they act as the structural framework those previously designated by LB the ‘post-industrial’ period has for the townscape. The loss of this Tower Hamlets. seen vegetation flourish around vegetation or of significant individual the waterways to the point where trees from these avenues could the juxtaposition of greenery and harm the established character and Trees on the Newham side of industrial heritage is an important appearance of the conservation area. the River Lea are also important part of the established character in forming the character and of some parts of the area. This is appearance of the waterways and in especially so south and east of the A specialist survey of the street trees closing the views to the east down Hertford Union Canal. At Old Ford of Fish Island and the trees around Dace Street – that is, to the setting Lock on the Lee Navigation, trees Old Ford Lock was undertaken in of the Fish Island & Hackney Wick and shrubs dominate the townscape. May 2013. The findings are set South Conservation Area. However, In the main, these are a mix of black out in detail in a separate report. It establishing suitable boundaries of a Italian poplars, and sycamore. The used the TEMP0 methodology to study area for trees on the Newham value of these trees is recognized in score the health and longevity of side of the River Lea falls out of the that some are already covered by tree the trees. A score of 16 suggested scope of this appraisal. preservation orders (TPOs). that at tree definitely qualified for a TPO and a score of 10 to 15 (many trees in the survey scored 14 or 15) TPOs designated by Tower Hamlets suggested that a TPO on that tree protect: the line of black Italian was defensible. Given that for many poplars at the east end of Dace Road; of the street trees it is the effect of the a sycamore and three black Italian avenue as a whole that is important poplars directly east of Old Ford Lock to forming character and appearance Tree Preservation Orders In and a line of black Italian poplars more than individual trees per se, Fish Island & Hackney Wick and sycamore on the west bank of it has been considered that a TPO the Old River Lea where it joins the is appropriate for all the trees in Existing Conservation Area Lee Navigation at Old Ford Lock. All both categories that fall within the these trees are within the extended boundary of Tower Hamlets. Six of Extension of Conservation Area conservation area as designated by the street trees surveyed did not rate the LLDC. All trees in conservation a TEMPO score sufficient to merit %POPUBQQMZB510 areas are protected if they have a a TP0 including a tree previously stem more than 7.5cm wide and are designated by Tower Hamlets but %FmOJUFMZNFSJUTB510 more than 1.5 metres high. now in poor condition. 510EFGFOTJCMF In addition, the streets of Fish Island In summary, the following numbers of are characterized by avenues of trees now subject to a TPO: Beachy &YJTUJOH510 street trees. Most of these are Road (19); Bream Street (9); Dace London Planes of middle age. These Road (8); Monier Road (15); Remis avenues are an important part of Road (4); Roach Road (1); Smeed the streetscape both within the Road (1); Stour Road (9); Wyke Road conservation area itself and within (11). In addition, some two dozen Page_34 Ber

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Page_35 Page_36 4.0 MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

4.1 INTRODUCTION 4.2 GUIDANCE ON 4.3 POLICIES RELEVANT APPLICATIONS TO THE CONSERVATION AREA

The purpose of these Within a conservation area, All development within a Management Guidelines is to planning permission may be conservation area should have present proposals to achieve the required for what might otherwise regard to national, regional and preservation and enhancement be considered permitted localal planningpla policy. of the conservation area’s special development or minor works. The NationalNationaN Planning Policy character through restoration and The demolition of any building or structures within a conservation FrameworkFrame (20(2012) sets out refurbishment, redevelopment and area require consent and thee Government’sGove planning management. controls exist over certain worksrks policiesies for EnglandEngland. It contains The document provides to trees. All works to trees inn the nationall policipolicies relarelating to the landowners, businesses, residents conservation area shouldd be conservationon of hheritage assets. and developers within the notified in advance too the planning authority if they havevee a stem more area with guidance on how to than 7.5cm wide and are more protect the special architectural than 1.5 m high.gh. The LondonLond Plan (2011, as and historic character while amendedamend to comply with the NPPF encouraging high quality new 2012)201 is the relevant regional development and sensitive Almostt the entirentire conservation planning policy for the area. Policy restoration and refurbishments that areaa is within an Archaeological 7.8 +7.9 of the London Plan seek respond sensitively to the historic Priority Area and develodevelopers to ensure the preservation of context. and statutory undertundertakers arare heritage assets and their setting encouraged to consultconsu with and notes that conservation areas the planninganning authority prprior to make a significant contribution The conservation area will be undertakingertaking any groundworks.grou to local character and should regularly reviewed to considernsider be protected from inappropriate any further amendmentsnts to its development. Substantial harm boundaries or the designation of When ddecidingdecidin the merits of to or loss of an asset should be heritage assets within it. applicationsapplicatio in the conservation exceptional. area, the planning authority will paypa specialsp attention to whether theth character and appearance ofo the area and its setting is The Olympic Legacy preserved or enhanced. Supplementary Planning Guidance (OLSPG, 2012) sets out policies and guidance for the The planning authority may Olympic Park and surrounding consider the use of an Article 4 area with section 3.5 focusing on Direction within the conservation Hackney Wick. The guidance aims area. Under 4(1) this can be used to support the development of a DRAFTto vary permitted development vibrant community that builds on rights on non-residential buildings. the area’s heritage and waterside This could, for example, be used character to provide new homes to control the painting of brickwork and employment opportunities. (a combination of yellow stock with red and blue engineering Development principles include brick is a recurring motif in the a requirement that existing yards conservation area) or prevent the and historic buildings should be removal of original windows.

Opposite: Lee Navigation and Swan Wharf Page_37 used to help define the scale and form of new development. It also states that development should enhance and respond to the character, setting, scale and urban grain of areas that are defined by warehouses and other examples of industrial heritage.

At local planning level, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ Core Strategy will be superseded by the LLDC Local Plan. At present, the Fish Island Area Action Plan (2012) further articulates the borough’s policies for the protection of heritage assets including conservation areas including the preservation and enhancement of heritage assetss and their setting.

The Fish Island AAP states that the area “boasts a strongstron and unique characterr as a result of its historic buildings,gs, inteinteresting streetscape and remainingmaining industrial features. Thesese elements should be seen as a significantficant regeneration opportunity…andnd contribute towards creating a sense of place.” DRAFT

Page_38 4.4 ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCEMENT

Hackney Wick is a geographical area would be substantially The area either side of Wick Lane area that straddles independent enhanced by the redevelopment south of the Greenway is expected conservation areas and London of its empty sites and buildings to continue to be a focus for borough boundaries. There is an that do not contribute positively employmentploym including for heavier opportunity for new development to its character and appearance. manufacturing,manufactumanufa environmental and to preserve and enhance the Redevelopment of these sites with wastewas managmanagement industries. character and appearance structures of an appropriate scale,e, Such ddevelopmedevelopment will need to be of Hackney Wick and Fish form and character that respondnd to carefullyefully mmanaged as this area Island by taking into account heritage assets and their settingsettingsetting forms part oof the conconservation this wider context. There is represent a significant opportunity.pportupportunity. area settinsetting.ting.g. sufficient diversity in the existing heritage assets to allow new, complementary development A number of heritageritage assets to be both innovative and including the Lord Napier and contextually sensitive. However, associated housing, 92 White the sensitivity of each individual Post Lanene and the McGrath site site also varies considerably and outbuildingsuildings are also in poor an acknowledgment and response repair.pair. Their restorationestoration would T to the immediate context of a contribute positively to the proposal is the starting point. character and appearanceappea oof the area.area.

Retained heritage assets can act as a catalyst for regenerationgenerationeneratio ThereTher is the opportunityoppo and positively influencence the urban to improveimpr the waterside design and architecturalectural quality of environmentenvironmenenvironm and improve new developmentnt which, together, connectivityconnectiv to and along the can enhance the characterchara and westw sside of the waterfront and appearance of the conservationconser acrossacroa the Hertford Union Canal area. Promoting regenerationnerationneratio wherew the lock could form a whilst protecting and enhancingancing focus of linear open spaces. the character of the area is both Other measures for improving an issue and an opportunity. the pedestrian and cycling environment should also be pursued. The regeneration of the area provides an opportunity to DRAFT introduce a genuine mix of uses Some historic granite kerbs and that grows and complements cobbles remain and opportunities the small-scale productive and should be taken to restore and creative employment uses that extend these positive elements of occupy the buildings and yards the streetscape. Work by statutory that characterise the area. undertakers should not diminish what remains of traditional In addition to the neighbourhood street surfaces or any buried centre proposed in current policy archaeology. for this area, the conservation Page_39 4.5 DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR THE CONSERVATION AREA

GENERAL PRINCIPLES infrastructure including the PRESUMPTION AGAINST Northern Outfall Sewer/Greenway, DEMOLITION In determining applications for waterways and elevated road planning permission relating to any Theree is a presumption in national and railway. While allowing for land or buildings in a conservation planninganning policyp against the improvements to pedestrian and area, the planning authority is demolitiondemo or partial-demolition cycle friendly routes in and out required to pay special attention of any heritage aasset or of any of the area, new developments to the desirability of preserving structurecture identifiedi as contributing should have regard to this enclavenclave or enhancing the character or positivelyely to tthe characterchar and character. appearance of that area. Policies appearancence of a conservationc in respect to the preservation and area or its setting.settin enhancement of heritage assets The following pagesges showhow the and their special interest are variety of historicoric building forms contained within the adopted core and architecturalctural details that are strategy and emerging Local Plan. drawn fromom across the widerwid Hackneyney Wickk area that can T be used to informorm the design of New development offers the new developments. TheseT are opportunity to enhance the shown together with examplesexampe conservation area. High quality of contemporarytemporary desigdesigns that contemporary architecture thatat mayy be appropriate responsesre is sensitive to the design and to individual sites withinw the form of existing heritagee assets is conservationconse arearea on a case-by- encouraged. casease babasis.

New designs are encouragedencour that respect the scale, form,m, materials, setting, and relationshipss between buildings and established spatial typologies – for example, the scale and form of yards and the relationship between buildings and the canals. This does not preclude the sensitive juxtaposition of DRAFTforms and materials.

Fish Island and Hackney Wick South has a distinctive sense of place that is due, in part, its island character. This is a product of the strong edges in many locations formed by the surrounding Page_40 FORM OF NEW DEVELOPMENT STREETS, YARDS AND is an opportunity to link White TOWPATHS Post Lane to the station via a new GRAIN AND PLOT SIZE pedestrian route or yard. While many of the original The existing street pattern, yard buildings in certain parts of The scope exists to ensure that typologies and plot sizes reveal Hackney Wick have been lost existing yards and any new the historic grain and morphology (notably the area south east of yards remain or become visually of the area. There is scope for White Post Lane and immediately and physically permeable new development to respond south of the Hertford Union Canal and connected to the public to this pattern and strengthen it that fall outside the conservation realm. The yards provide an where past demolitions or more area) much of the original street opportunity for day and evening recent buildings that contribute pattern within the conservation time activities related to the negatively to the area have area survives. buildings surrounding them if car eroded it. The amalgamation parking and servicing is carefully of plots to form single block These surviving streets range managed. developments with large ﬂ oor from the principle east-west plates may detract from the streets of White Post Lane The towpaths also form an opportunity to re-establish historic and Dace Road, whose non- attractive and important element plot sizes, yards and streets. orthogonal path suggest pre- of the circulation space for Incremental change with multiple industrial incarnations, to the pedestrians and cyclists in the architecture practices involved is loose grid of former residential area. Frontages onto tow paths usually preferable to large-scale streets in the northern part of could be activated by uses uniformly designed proposals. Fish Island. Off this street are a and access to the waterfront number of yards ranging in size increased. from many small yards of Dace Road to the larger Queen’s Yard. Where development opportunities exist, redevelopment can reinforce and extend these historic street patterns and yard DRAFTtypologies. For example, there

Page_41 LANDMARKS, VIEWS AND LEGIBILITY

The character of the area is generally low to medium-rise with buildings ranging in height from single-storey to four storeys. This generally low to medium-rise character is interspersed with taller buildings and industrial chimneys which are the principal landmarks of the area. The chimney of the Big Yellow storage facility in Wick Lane is outside the conservation area but forms part Above: Local chimneys as landmarks of its setting and is important in views from the west end of Dace Road in particular. Within the conservation area, the view east towards the structures Hackney Wick /Fish Island Contemporar y Examples and foliage around Old Ford Lock at the east end of Dace Road is important for its relationship between the hard surfaced industrial buildings and the post- industrial soft landscaping.

New developments can preserve and enhance the character of the area by respecting the role these landmarks play in the legibility of the area, by not blocking views to them and by not diminish their landmark status through the inappropriate location, bulk or 92 White Post Lane Grote Koppel, Holland, FAT : the form of the new development. The rhythm of windows and doorways ‘crooked’ routes of Dace Road provides continuity and White Post Lane (when its empty sites are developed and its degree of enclosure increased) mean that full views along these streets are withheld. Maintaining this sense of progression and enhancing legibility along them is encouraged.

HEIGHT AND SCALE New development that respondsDRAFT positively to the characteristic height, scale and massing of the locally listed buildings and to the buildings of townscape merit, and On Smeed Road, the consistent use Timber Yard Housing, Dublin, which successfully relates to the of brick links buildings of different O’Donnell + Tuomey: Brick facades area’s streets, yards, waterways heights to form a continuous street hug the street to provide a strong and human scale will enhance the overall character and appearance edge frontage that then allows deep of the area. modeling and cut outs

Page_42 PUBLIC SPACES

The area is not characterised by formal public spaces such as parks and gardens. Such public spaces as exist, are informal. There is an opportunity for new public spaces to retain any historic materials and structures including granite kerbs and cobbles wherever possible. These may remain under later road surfaces. Work by statutory undertakers should not diminish what remains of traditional street surfaces or any buried Above: Historic materials within the public realm archaeology.

A layered approach to the re- integration of Hackney Wick’s ‘fragments’ is welcomed. Walled gardens, the planting of ‘found spaces’ would complement the existing character of the area. This includes the possibility of creating gardens along the northern towpath of the Hertford Union Canal where brick boundary walls and building survive. There is also the opportunity to improve connectively north-south across Above: The canals as informal public spaces the bottom lock of this canal.

The informal hard landscaping, bridges, trees and shrubbery around Old Ford Lock are also an important component of this part of the conservation area and its character should be preserved and enhanced. By contrast, the avenues of street trees on the former residential streets of the ‘ﬁ sh streets’ adjacent to the conservation area provide an architectonic framework to these streets that should be maintained. Additional information on trees within the conservation area is set DRAFTAbove: Excessive overshadowing and poor canal out below. frontage will not be encouraged

Page_43 Hackney Wick /Fish Island Contemporar y Examples

ACTIVE FRONTAGES AND PERMEABILITY

With the disappearance of Stour Space/Broadwoods Newhallewhalewha Be, Essex, Alison Brooks noxious industries, there is now Gatehouse: Three distinct buildings Architects:ArchitectsArch Uses pitched forms but the scope to promote active collectively make a loosely faceted with contemporarycontempor detailing. frontages to streets, yards and corner, the central section addressingg the waterfront where possible by the approaches from two directionsns creating at the ground ﬂ oor level doorways, windows and views into yards as well as by a mix of uses operating at different times of the day.

The creation of additional access to and activation along the waterside would enhance the character of the conservation area while taking into account the extent to which managing Hertford Union Canal LockL fl ood risk will infl uence the formm Laban Centre, Creekside, Herzog & and uses of ground fl oors withinithinhin de Meuron: the dock edge acts as a buildings. Access to the watersidede plinth for the light framed structure should also be maintainedneded wherwhere possible and watersideside frontages activated. Mooringsngs for the canal boats are a featureure ofo the area. AFT

Public spaces can bee enhaenhanced by activating the frontagesges facing them where possiblele and appropriate. DRA

Lion Works, Wallis Road: In Hackney Peabody Avenue, Pimlico, London, Wick, open vehicular access through Haworth Tompkins: The internal the building and into the yard of the yard is connected to the street by a Yearning Glass Co. double height opening through the buildiing

Page_44 MIXED USE

The strong character of the area is reinforced by the small scale productive employment uses that occupy the area (traditional industry, ﬁ ne art, and creative industries). These include a number of cultural venues, cafes and bars within the conservation area that help activate the area at different times of day.

The regeneration of the area provides an opportunity to introduce a genuine mix of uses that grows and complements the small scale productive employment uses that occupy the buildings and yards that characterise the area.

The retention of historic buildings and the introductionoductionduction of new developmentt creates the opportunity to createeate a tightly- knit mix of workshops,shopsshops, studios, ofﬁ ces and light industryndustry to Above: The Lee Navigation and Stour Space Cafe reinforce the characterter of the area . Nurturing creative industriesustries has the potential to assist in the regeneration of the conservationatio area and its setting.

Residential uses in new buildings could complement these productive uses (and was forDRA many years a feature of the area) and where they do not displace the productive uses will help preserve the area’s established character and appearance.

Page_45 BUILDING FORM

In the best-preserved areas of Hackneykney Wick such as Dace Roadoad ththere is a coherence achievedachie throughthro a strong building line at theth back of pavement.ement MaintainingMaintain this in new develdevelopmentsdevelopment and reintroducingcing it wherewh it has been lost will reinforcereinforcforc the architectural coherence ofo the area. The stronger a frontage reads and the greatergre the continuity with the existingexist context, the more scope theretht is for roof forms of new developments to vary.

There is scope throughout the conservation area to improve the sense of enclosure to streets, some of which have entirely lost their ﬂ anking buildings but the scale and massing of new buildings must respect that of any AFTnearby heritage assets.

Unlike in many historic residential areas, uniformity in matters such as parapet line and form is not a characteristic of Hackney Wick. Variations in eaves lines, building widths, massing and materials can contribute to a diverse urban landscape, with the proviso that

Page_46 these are informed by precedents Hackney Wick /Fish Island Contemporar y Examples established by heritage assets within Hackney Wick. Saw tooth roofs and ridgeline lanterns are a feature of Hackney Wick. Frontages are encouraged to exploit the opportunity for varied compositions at both the individual building scale and at the collective scale of a canal frontage or yard. Informality in building forms and volumes is encouraged along canal frontages and within yards and backland sites.

There is value in juxtaposition, White Cube, Hoxton, MRJ Rundell + generating excitement and Dace Road corner Associates conﬁ dence in the new, as long as changes in scale and materials are proportionate and sensitive as foils to heritage buildings, Extensions to existing buildings should also have regard to this principle.

The remnants of many demolished buildings and yards sometimes remain in the form of walls, doorways and gateposts. Boundary Wall to the former Hope The incorporation of such objects Chemical Works into new developments in a layered or collaged way could be an effective way of preserving and enhancing the area’s particular character in a contemporary way Shoreham Street, Sheffield, Project that is distinctively Hackney DRAFTWick. Orange: the extension replaces the original roof, punching through its high brick walls

Broadwood’s Piano Factory

Page_47 OPENINGS, MATERIALS AND DETAILING

The establishedesta architectural vocabularyocabularyocabu of the area is industrial and utilitarian.utilitarian Where decoration appearsappear this is largelyla through the use and elaborationelaboratioe of functional elementsnts of the facade.faca The predominantomina traditionalt material within HackneyH Wick is brick with original window frames formedfor in either timber or cast-ironcast- and, later, steel. This includesinclu the use of brick piers/ Above: Algha Works detail pilasterspip (sometimes running the full height of a building) and contrasting brick trims and plinths – often in blue engineering brick. New development is encouraged to apply this simple and robust palette of materials in a contextually successful yet contemporary way.

There is a range of fenestration AFTprecedents to draw upon, from traditional openings of vertical proportions under segmental brick arches or iron and steel lintels, to framed structures with horizontal “strip’ windows. Windows set within shallow, recessed bays are also a feature of the area as are glazed stall- boards such as the innovative DR prismatic lights at the Algha Works.

New development provides an opportunity to adopt window to wall proportions that respond to the established and visually coherent relationship between solid and void. Windows are at approximately 700mm above Page_48 Hackney Wick /Fish Island Contemporar y Examples

Swan Wharf: The interest of the Iniva, Rivington Place, London, fi nished fl oor level. façade is achieved through the Adjaye Associates : the repetition of the evenly spaced deep reveals add drama to the Window to wall proportions openings to the former horse asymmetrical grid of window should respond to the established stalls within. Openings made more openingsening which pattern the facade relationship between solid and emphatic with contrasting bull- as a wholew void in the nearby context. nosed brick reveals. Windows are at approximately 700mm above fi nished fl oor level. Balconies should normally be inset rather than projecting. Where original timber or metal windows and doors exist they should, normally, be retained in situ and repaired. All external joinery should be painted. Stained or varnished timber fi nishes are inappropriate

Replacement doors, windows and to heritage assets should normallyly AlghaAlgghaha Works:W WindowsWind alignedalign Studios, Whitmore Road, London, match or reinstate the materialss verticallycally within tall bribrick piers,p Trevor Horne Architect Windows and details of the originals. Thehe loadingoading bay and light sstair risers aligned vertically within brick facade use of framing materials such as aluminium or UPVC iss not normally acceptablee on heritage assets. Stick-on glazing bars and trickle vents aree unacceptableunac in AFT the conservation area.

Where existing original rooﬁ ngn materials or external detailsls such as lettering, lamps etc surviveve they should be retained and refurbished as necessary. Clarnico Works: The relationship Ijburg Blok 4, Amsterdam, between windows and piers brings Macreanor Lavington: Windows DRAa balance between horizontality and align vertically within a brick facade verticality.

Page_49 SIGNAGE

The character of conservation area can be seriously eroded through the installation of inappropriate signs. When designing signs, it is important to consider the building as a whole, using colours, materials, scale, locations and form that complement buildings and that respect the character, appearance and setting of heritage assets. Innovative signage may be appropriate in some circumstances and the area’s creative experiments in painted and other typography is part of the Hackney Wick’s distinctiveness. Standard solutions such as applied vinyl lettering and internally illuminated box signs will not normally be acceptableceptable ono buildings that contributebute positively to the character or appearance of the conservationn area.area

CLUTTER

Bin stores, electricity substations,ion ventilation ducts etc should be contained within the building envelope. DRA

Page_50 4.6 MONITORING CHANGE AND ENFORCEMENT

A record of changes within the area will be kept including the use of dated photographic surveys of streetet frfrofrontages and of significant buildingsbuilding anda views, taken every five years.

The contributionontribu of thet local communityity in mmanmanaging conservationn arareas is recognised and the oppoopportunity to work collaboratcollaboratively is welcomed.

AAppropriate enforcement action will be taken against any unauthorized works to heritage assets within the conservation area. It should be noted that the entire conservation area as an entity is a heritage asset.

The demolition of an unlisted building in a conservation area, without the consent of the local Above/Left : Carlton Chimney / The White Building canalside entrance planning authority is a criminal offence. DRAFT

Page_51 FURTHER READING AND CONTACTS

DISCUSSIONS If you are intending to submit a planning application to the LLDC, you are encouraged to discuss your planning proposals with a member of the Corporation’s Planning Policy and Decisions Team (PPDT) before doing so. This is particularly important for large and more complex planning schemes. Please contact the Planning Policy and Decisions Team on 020 388 8820 for further information or to discuss your planning proposal

IN PERSON By prior arrangement only. Please call us on 020 3288 8820

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES Brazier Roy, Achille Serre Ltd., Cleaners & Dyers: 1870-1970, 100 years of service, Publisher R. Brazier, 2006. Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B. ;The Buildings of England: London 4: North, 1998 N. Pevsner, B. Cherry and C. O’Brien, The Buildings of England: London 5: East, 2005 Ridge Tom, Industrial Buildings Historic & Architectural Interest in Old Ford and Part of Hackney Wick, 2003. Unpublished report: Architectural History Practice Ltd, Characterisation Study and Assessment of Key Buildings -Hackney Wick and the Old Ford Area, 2008, Compiled for EDAW Ltd. The University of Michigan Online The Booth Poverty Map Digitalisation Project

Page_52 Page_53 Prepared by:

T: +44 (0) 7963 319352 E: [email protected] W: www.robert-bevan.com muf

T: +44 (0) 20 7251 4004 E: [email protected] W: www.muf.co.uk

T: +44 (0) 20 7803 0777 E: [email protected] W: www.drmm.co.uk

Photography by: Gareth Gardner and Robert Bevan Page_54