2 - Special Character Areas
Special Character Areas
Thomas/Lombard Streets, Northmead Special Character Area
This area contains a reasonably intact group of detached cottages and houses from the early twentieth century, illustrating the development history of the locality and creating a residential precinct with a distinctive character.
Timber cottages were erected from about 1912 onwards in Lombard Street, and most of the houses in this street date from prior to 1920. There are some houses of a slightly later era, and some modern development. All of the older houses are of timber and/or fibro construction.
The houses in Thomas Street are on land which was originally owned by the Moxham family, and subdivided in 1915. A few cottages were erected in the years immediately following subdivision, but most of the houses in the street were built in a surge of development that occurred in the mid 1920's. Older houses in Thomas Street are mostly of timber and/or fibro construction but also of brick. There is also some modern development.
Character of the area
- land rises from Old Windsor Road and then falls gently towards Kleins Road
- all older houses are single storey, detached dwellings, with similar setbacks, giving a generally consistent character and rhythm to the streetscape
- most older houses are asymmetrical, gable-fronted with hipped roofs. All older houses have a verandah of some sort, with differing design and detailing
- timber and/or fibro construction is typical, with some houses of ‘face’ brick construction in Thomas Street
- timber double hung sash windows on earlier houses, timber casements on some later houses, awnings over windows common on earlier houses
- car accommodation generally at rear of property
- low, open fencing, and a predominance of soft landscaping in front gardens. More fences of timber paling construction than any other type
Approach to planning controls
Council's planning policies for this area are directed towards ensuring that development is consistent with the existing character of the area. The main elements of that character are the consistency of scale, siting and design of most of the older houses, and the existing landscaping features, including fencing.
Development consistent with the existing character of the area
- additions and/or dual occupancy development at the rear of older houses, as long as there is minimum impact on the character of the existing house and the streetscape. Single storey only is preferred. Additional accommodation may be provided at a second level, provided that it is substantially or entirely contained within the roof space. In any case, the roof line of any new addition should be no higher than the ridge height of the existing house
- lightweight construction (e.g. timber, fibre-cement) should be used for additions, except for brick houses, where brick may be used
- garages or carports in rear gardens
- open carports beside the house, preferably at least 2 m back from the front wall
- replacement of roofs with historically appropriate materials; generally corrugated steel, possibly tiles depending on era of house
- low, open fencing, no higher than 900mm. A preference for timber paling construction, but other materials and designs such as link-mesh, timber ‘post-and-rail’, or brick may be considered where it is appropriate in relation to a particular house
Development not consistent with the existing character of the area
- demolition of older houses, other than in exceptional circumstances
- recladding of timber/fibro houses in anything other than similar materials and profiles
- painting, rendering or re-skinning of brick houses
- any fence higher than 900mm
- landscaping in front yards which results in a predominance of paved surfaces over soft landscaping
