This short article explains why all historic homes in the Chiswick area have sash windows. A large part of this area falls within the conservation areas defined by the Borough of Hounslow.
Chiswick lies in West London, in a meander of the River Thames, and is around 6 miles west from Charing Cross. Historically Chiswick was a fishing and farming village, and in fact the name Ceswican, which was first attested in a document in the 10th century, means Cheese Farm in Old English. It is thought that an annual cheese fair was held at Dukes Meadow in the village until at least the 18th-century.
The village’s population grew by a factor of ten during the 19th century, and much of the housing stock is a mixture of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian. Chiswick House, designed and built by the Third Earl of Burlington, is a notable local landmark. It is one of Britain’s best surviving examples of the Palladian style, and it contains superb collections of paintings and furniture. Much of historic Chiswick is protected by conservation areas. These areas were first introduced by the Civic Amenities Act of 1967, and are now regulated by the 1990 Planning Act. In England and Wales there are currently more than 8000 conservation areas.
Normally conservation areas are designated by the local authority, which in Chiswick is the London Borough of Hounslow. English Heritage also have the ability to designate conservation areas in London.
Conservation areas are chosen on the basis of special architectural and historical interest. Across the country many different types of area, usually urban, have been chosen. These include town centers, old farming and mining villages, country houses, and 18th and 19th-century suburbs. The Borough of Hounslow has designated more than 20 areas, and these include the village center of Old Chiswick, and Chiswick House and its surrounding area.
Home and business owners in conservation areas may often need permission from the local authority to make alterations to their property. These can include major changes such as building extensions, or minor changes such as fitting a satellite dish.
The exact rules about what is allowable in conservation areas are not defined nationally, but are the responsibility of each individual local authority. The London Borough of Hounslow must therefore determine exactly what types of development are permitted in Chiswick, so as to preserve the special historic and architectural interest of the conservation area. Where there are many Georgian and Victorian terraced homes, the use of modern replacement windows may not be acceptable, and the planning authority may insist on the refurbishment of sash windows using sympathetic and appropriate techniques.
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