Moor Park Planning and Development
Moor Park Estate has enjoyed the status of a Conservation Area since 1995
This has significant implications for planning applications made by residents, architects, developers and builders proposing property changes including demolitions, replacements, extensions, basements, roof and window changes, new gates, and proposals affecting fences and walls, trees and hedges.
Conservation Areas, defined by law, are: ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.
The Estate is now built on land previously owned by the Grade 1 listed Mansion, which was part of the Grosvenor Estate, sold at Auction in 1919 to Lord Leverhulme, who developed the framework of urban development that we see today and commissioned architects to prepare plans for individual houses on large plots. The designation of Conservation Area status in 1995 relied not so much on the architectural building form as the special visual quality created by large houses situated on individual plots with high quality landscaping, open frontages, and low walls and hedges separating gardens from estate road verges, all features of the original design.
The Moor Park Conservation Area Appraisal (MPCAA), formally approved by Three Rivers District Council in 2006 can be found on our site separately listed. It provides guidance to all owners that wish to alter or make changes to their property and all planning applications are judged for their effect on the character, appearance and special interest of the conservation area.
Significant relevant sections of the MPCAA that planning proposers should be aware of are:
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demolitions, roofs, plot coverage, building frontage widths and basements. The plot coverage maximum is 15% and the building frontage maximum width is 80%.
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roof design and heights, the location and size of dormer windows, the extent of hard-surface areas , together with advice on front boundary walls, fences, gates and the protection of trees
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the additional level of protection given to houses erected prior to 1958 which are described as making a ‘positive contribution’ to the character of the estate.
Applicants should note that Moor Park (1958) Limited, the residents management company set up to manage the roads, open spaces and trees and with the benefit of Restrictive Covenants over each of the houses, takes an active role in reviewing all applications and reports its comments and concerns to the local authority planning office.
All residents considering alterations to their property should approach their office at 2A Main Avenue, Moor Park, Northwood HA6 2HJ Telephone 01923 835535 or E-mail secretary@moorpark1958.co.uk for a preliminary discussion.