Project Name:
1 Park Place, London.

Type of Project: Historic Context Appraisal, View Determination, Visual Impact Assessment, Historic Environment Technical Appendix

Date:
February 2008

Client:

GVA Grimley

Special Interest: The proposed development of 1 Park Place is located within the immediate setting of West India Docks, which are Grade I Listed. The West India Docks were opened in 1802 and they were the first and greatest of the enclosed security commercial docks. They were built within two extensive basins and were surrounded by high walls to prevent theft and to safeguard customs inspections. The docks were a pioneering civil engineering design led by William Jessop and Ralph Walker. Much of the West India Dock enclosed water system survives to this day; the Import and Export dock to the north and south of canary wharf, though reduced in size, retains most of the 1800’s brick wall.

Scope of Professional Services:
Heritage Architecture Ltd were commissioned to undertake the following:

  • HISTORIC CONTEXT APPRAISAL: Heritage Architecture Ltd undertook research to assess the development of the site and historic context, including the preparation of a map sequence and earlier built form. Heritage Architecture Ltd assessed the character of the Conservation Areas most likely to be impacted by the proposed development and undertook a ground level appraisal of the contextual relationship of buildings and vistas, to determine the salient points of design criteria.
  • VIEW DETERMINATION: Heritage Architecture Ltd assisted with the preparation of definition of the "zone of visual influence", separating the key areas into impact zones, identifying possible key viewpoints and general familiarisation at desktop stage. Heritage Architecture Ltd reviewed the gathered field data with the Project Team and confirmed the area of visual significance, eliminated and also selected a definitive number of views, identifying any further views that may be required. The team compiled baseline appraisals for each of the sixteen (16) key views, assessing the wide zone of visual influence.
  • VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Heritage Architecture Ltd assessed the visual impact of the proposed development using a grading system in order to provide an objective appraisal of the proposed development on the townscape. The team assessed the potential visual impact of the proposed development on any settings, views, vistas, aspects and prospects of listed buildings; and on the character and appearance of nearby Conservation Areas. Heritage Architecture Ltd outlined our assessment methodology and prepared baseline commentaries for each key view. We advised on potential and actual effects, mitigation measures, residual and cumulative/ interactive impacts, using sixteen (16) baseline and CGI views provided by others.
  • HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT TECHNICAL APPENDIX: Heritage Architecture Ltd provided a description of the listed buildings and a brief assessment of visual impact likely to result from the proposed development on the settings of listed buildings within an agreed zone of visual influence. We prepared the necessary mapping of listed buildings by Grade; identifying conservation areas, scheduled monuments etc.