London Housing Design Guide was published in 2010 by the then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. It forms a common set of housing design standards across all of London that are applied through the London Plan, London Plan Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) and the London Funding Standards Framework
The SPG creates policies for better neighbourhoods, high environmental standards, accessibility and better design. It sets minimum standards for the amount of floor space, private outdoor space, natural light and ceiling heights. All new London housing is expected to meet these design standards.
The guide requires all homes to be provided with adequate private open space in the form of a garden, terrace, balcony or wintergarden. When setting standards for these open spaces, the guide considers requirements for furniture, access and activities relating to the number of occupants.
Meeting the London Design Guide for balconies
In all two-person dwellings, a minimum of 5m² of private outdoor space is required, with an extra 1m² for each additional occupant. The minimum width and depth required for balconies and private external spaces is 1.5m². The aim of this requirement
for balconies is to provide space sufficient for a meal around a small table, clothes drying, or for a family to sit outside with visitors.
The guide also requires level access from the home to the balcony, with an upstand not exceeding 15mm and a level, weather-tight threshold. Exemptions are considered for inset balconies and roof terraces where a step up is necessary to accommodate thermal insulation to the accommodation below.
To provide some privacy and shelter from neighbouring properties, designs such as glass enhancements, screens and stepping back the façade can be used. Balconies should have solid floors draining to downpipes and where balconies overlook noise sources or parapets, absorbent soffit materials should be considered for acoustic benefits.
It is important to include Secured by Design principles into private open spaces where balconies are designed so as not to provide climbing aids that may provide access into a property and make them vulnerable to intruders.
While the guide was intended as interim advice, it continues to be referred to where parts of the guidance have not been replaced since the London Plan was issued. For example, ‘Technical Housing Standards – nationally described space standard’ (issued in March 2015) covers gross internal areas expected but the document does not refer to private outdoor space. It is examples like this that mean the LHDG is still referred to for private outdoor places, like balconies.
“The SPG creates policies for better neighbourhoods, high environmental standards, accessibility and better design.”