3.143 The design of frontages can add interest, life and vitality to the street and public realm. Frontages are considered “active” if they have:

• frequent doors and windows without continuous blank walls (see D11)
• internal uses visible from the outside, or spilling onto the street e.g. cafés

3.144 The “main access street” generally refers to the street that is the building’s main address. Typically it will be the longer frontage of the development. The “main thoroughfare” in a Town Centre or Neighbourhood Centre generally refers to the street onto which the retail frontages face that is located on the main pedestrian route through the Centre.

3.145 Where non-residential uses are proposed as part of a scheme in a Primarily Residential Area, these should be arranged with regard to new and existing patterns of movement through the site. Active frontages should be visible from a distance or from highly-trafficked movement corridors to ensure the viability of new businesses. Applicants should provide analysis of the patterns of movement and use this to justify the optimal placement of these frontages.

3.146 For projects that are to be delivered in phases, it must be demonstrated that each phase will provide adequate ground level uses to accommodate the occupation of completed zones.

3.147 Feature such as roller-shutters can portray an inaccurate picture of crime which may distort the image and perception of a place. Other measures which are less visually intrusive would be the preferred option.

3.148 Further information specific to Town Centre development including shop fronts will be provided in the emerging Area Types document that will form Part 2 of the Design Guide SPD.

3.149 The hierarchy of private, semi-private, communal, or public areas should be considered early in the design process and be evident in the final design. This can be achieved through the use of materials.

3.150 Entrances within mixed-use developments should be clearly differentiated as communal or private. Entrances should generally be provided to the front and not hidden to the rear of the building unless they are a secondary entrance. The scale of entrances should indicate if they are communal or private.

3.151 Boundary treatments must not dominate the environment and should be positioned and set at an appropriate height to suit the function and location.

3.152 The use of close-boarded or other solid fencing over 1.2m must be avoided along front boundaries of building plots. The design of the space between the building and the street should not encourage residents to erect temporary fencing to provide a suitable level of privacy.

3.153 There should be a direct walking route from the street to the front door of the building. Pedestrian access to building entrances from the street should not cross parking courts. The choice of materials, layout and landscape should reflect a prioritisation of pedestrians.

3.154 Entrances to buildings should be sheltered from the elements. There is a preference for recessed entrances as these offer more shelter, add depth to façades and can be more easily integrated into the overall design of the building (see Fig.93 and Fig.94).

3.155 Proposals should also consider safety and natural surveillance. Awkward, hidden spaces should be avoided. These can be avoided by creating splayed entrances and by ensuring the height of covered spaces is suitable to the level of access.

3.156 Continuity of materials and features should be used to make the public nature of spaces legible to users. Delineation of areas through surface treatment and materiality, can help define areas for different use and suggest zones and create variety and interest in the urban realm.

3.157 Accommodation within basements or lower ground floors should not have a negative effect upon the street scene. Where a lightwell is provided to the front of the building, all railings, retaining walls and planting must be incorporated within the overall landscape design and be in keeping with the character of the street.

3.158 Designers should also take into consideration the requirements of individuals with hidden disabilities such as autism by making spaces legible and looking out for opportunities to create quieter spaces within a scheme.

3.159 The importance of creating a hierarchy of spaces applies to public spaces such as parks and playgrounds. Entrances to play areas should be suitably visible and either be highlighted using a contrasting gate colour or through the layout of the space.

3.160 Routes should be clearly defined through the layout of a development. Where sight lines cannot be maintained, signage should be integrated within the design of landscape and buildings.

3.161 In Town Centres, near stations, and adjacent to complex road junctions, pedestrian signage should ensure routes are clearly legible.

3.162 Advice on the design and layout of advertising and signage for commercial premises will be provided in the emerging Area Types document that will form Part 2 of the Design Guide SPD.

3.163 All signage and wayfinding should be accessible to all. It should take into account the needs of all users, including residents, tourists, and business visitors. Designers should consider the positioning of wheelchairs and ensure signs can be ensure signs can be easily viewed and read without exposure to hazards such as moving traffic.

3.164 Where introducing or amending signage, developments should prioritise minimising street clutter and visual noise. Fingerpost signs or map boards can be used to consolidate information onto one piece of street furniture (see Fig.95).

3.165 The design of wayfinding should consider the cost of maintenance and arrangements for upkeep agreed prior to installation.

3.166 Repeated signs should be avoided where possible and multiple signs can be placed on lamp columns particularly if a power supply is needed.

3.167 Signage should either use established public realm signage systems, such as Legible London, or be designed to complement the character and identity of the local area.

3.168 All traffic signs and road markings should be designed and lit in accordance with the latest chapter(s) of the Traffic Sign Regulations & General Directions (TSRGD). Any enquiries about non-standard traffic sign and markings should be raised initially with the Highway Authority at the pre- application stage.

3.169 Regardless of compliance with the TSRGD all highway signs require approval by the Highway Authority, whose requirements may be above those imposed by the TSRGD. Unauthorised signs are an offence under S132 of the Highways Act 1980.

3.170 Traffic signs must have a clear message to communicate to the road user to be permitted. See Fig.96 fora list of signs that are generally not required.

3.171 Traffic signs should not give directions to individual businesses but, with the agreement of the Highway Authority, can include words such as ’superstore’ but not a specific location to avoid being construed as advertising.

3.172 Parking signs must always be clearly visible to motorists to enable consistent unchallengeable parking control.

3.173 All signs should be located in a way that does not obstruct the footpath. See Fig.97 for guidance on the height of signs.

3.174 Lighting designs should find a balance between the need for useful lighting and its potential negative effects, which include:

• the disruption of wildlife
• light trespass into neighbouring windows affecting amenity
• glare and over-lighting of public spaces, which can create the perception of the place being unsafe
• energy consumption and cost
• reduced visibility of the night sky

3.175 Where lighting in public spaces is required applicants should:

1. Assess the sensitivity of the space to light pollution, for example along riverside areas to ensure river ecology is not impacted Likewise where a site is adjacent to a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation(SINC), it will have a high sensitivity
2. Determine the necessary light levels in each space based on the function and type of user, for example if it is a route to a station or other local destination
3. Select a suitable lamp that mitigates the effect upon wildlife but provides necessary useful light
4. Avoid unnecessary light spill using hoods and cowls, and minimise the height of lighting columns
5. Direct light towards the target space and avoid light trespass into natural spaces
6. Use as low light levels as possible within Secured by Design and Highways recommendations for visibility and safety, and use timers to provide dark periods where appropriate

3.176 For sites with protected habitats or priority species it is recommended that an ecologist is involved in the development of lighting strategies. A Lighting Impact Assessment may be required for certain locations.

3.177 It is important to have a continuous distribution of lighting for pedestrian paths and where possible walking routes should be overlooked by buildings. Pedestrian only routes between cul-de-sacs and home zones are essential to provide permeability but careful design is needed to ensure that these do not become places where anti- social behaviour and crime can flourish.

3.178 To assess the safety of a project that involves the public realm, applicants should follow the Mayor of London guidance Safety in Public Space for Women, Girls and Gender Diverse People. This includes a series of questions to ensure projects are developed with a suitable level of awareness, expertise and participation to create safer places.

3.179 In Town Centres or Neighbourhood Centres, sensitive architectural lighting is encouraged to create a sense of safety and enhance the local character. Lighting designs should consider the combination of street lighting and architectural lighting and ensure spaces are not over-lit as a result. The lighting colour and arrangement should complement the overall street scene.

3.180 Refer to Historic England’s guidance on the External Lighting of Historic Buildings and The Institute of Lighting Professionals for further resources and guidance notes.

3.181 For public spaces proposed within a development, developers will be required to put into place an on-going maintenance plan that complies with the Public London Charter principles (see Fig.99). Refer to the Public London Charter LPG for information on how to demonstrate that the Charter principles have been met and how this is secured through planning. Once in place the maintenance plan should be reviewed every five years. Further detail will be provided in the Technical Handbook that will form Part 2 of the Design Guide SPD.

3.182 Public spaces should be open and welcoming to all demographics, especially girls by avoiding the exclusive provision of facilities that are typically dominated by young boys, particularly fenced games areas. Designers should consider the needs of girls in their proposals and ensure there is equal provision of facilities. Refer to Make Space for Girls for toolkits on how to make public spaces more inclusive.

3.183 The Council encourages outdoor dining arrangements for premises in Town Centres. Commercial forecourts should be arranged so that they complement the attractive features of the surrounding townscape. Any furniture placed on a forecourt must not obstruct pedestrian traffic. Further advice on the design and layout of outdoor dining will be provided in the emerging Area Types document that will form Part 2 of the Design Guide SPD.

3.184 For areas that are prospective highways the starting point in Bexley is whether these areas should be maintained at public expense in future, or if it is more appropriate for them to become ‘private streets’ (unadopted highways). This would require the developer or their successors to become the ‘street managers’ responsible for future maintenance and management, including the installation of public services and appropriate access.

3.185 Where new roads have significant public utility or where they might have a benefit to the function of the highway network in general they may be adopted by the Highway Authority by way of an agreement between the developer and the Council. More information on this process will be provided in the emerging Technical Handbook.