Twelve-over-one sashes,
and where Article 4 really applies.
SW15 · Wandsworth · FENSA Reg 40373
Glazing for Putney properties
- Postcodes coveredSW15
- CouncilLondon Borough of Wandsworth
- Distance from base6.2 miles from Isleworth
- Conservation areas7 across SW15 Putney
- FENSA registeredReg 40373, self-certified installations
Conservation areas
"West Hill" is properly West Hill Road, and there is no St John's Avenue conservation area in Putney. Wandsworth's Article 4 directions cover only nine areas, several of them only in part - in SW15 that means Dover House Estate and parts of Putney Lower Common and Roehampton Village.
Housing stock in Putney
Wandsworth's West Putney appraisal records an area "largely Victorian to the north and east... with an overwhelmingly Edwardian character in the central, south and western areas", where "most original twelve-over-one pane sash windows survive".
| Era | Where | Recommended products |
|---|---|---|
| Mid to late 19th century | East Putney - yellow stock and red brick, mostly timber sliding sashes | uPVC Sash Window, uPVC Bay & Bow |
| Edwardian | West Putney - twelve-over-one sashes, some steel-framed windows set in timber | uPVC Sash Window, Aluminium Heritage Window |
| Mansion flats | Putney Embankment and Manor Fields on Putney Heath | Aluminium Heritage Window, Aluminium Casement |
| Garden suburb cottages | Dover House Estate, 1920-1927 - 39 original window types, all with glazing bars | uPVC Flush Casement, Aluminium Heritage Window |
Frequently asked about Putney
Does Wandsworth have a borough-wide Article 4 direction on windows?
No. Wandsworth's Historic Environment SPD states that Article 4 directions are "mostly confined to designated conservation areas", and they cover only nine of the borough's 46 - several of those only in part. In Putney that means Dover House Estate, Putney Lower Common (Commondale) and Roehampton Village (Medfield Street). East Putney, West Putney, Putney Embankment and Putney Heath are not covered.
What does an Article 4 remove where it does apply?
The SPD wording is "alterations to the elevations of properties fronting on to a highway. This includes the replacement of windows, doors and stained glass", along with roofs, porches, hardstandings, boundary walls and painting of front brickwork.
What does Wandsworth say about uPVC?
The same sentence appears word for word in the East Putney, West Putney, Putney Heath, Putney Embankment and Victoria Drive appraisals: "uPVC windows usually fail to replicate original detail sufficiently and are not recommended." The SPD adds that slim-fit timber double glazed windows matching the original design "will be generally preferred to PVC-U window replacements".
Can I have double glazing on the Dover House Estate?
Yes, and the appraisal encourages it: "Replacement windows can be single or double-glazed... double-glazed Fensa registered units are strongly encouraged where this can be achieved without spoiling the character." The same appraisal is blunt that changing timber or metal windows to uPVC there needs planning permission.
What is the adopted policy?
Policy LP3, Historic Environment, in the Wandsworth Local Plan adopted 19 July 2023, with Policy LP1 on the design-led approach. LP3 resists non-original style windows and doors, and the supporting text names chimneys, windows and doors as features contributing to significance.
Putney: where the direction actually lands
Putney is in the London Borough of Wandsworth, which has 46 conservation areas. Seven of them cover SW15 Putney, but only a minority carry an Article 4 direction, and the council is explicit that directions are mostly confined to conservation areas and in several cases cover only part of one.
In practice that means the Dover House Estate is restricted, Putney Lower Common is restricted at Commondale, and Roehampton Village is restricted on Medfield Street - a direction sealed on 6 August 2004. East Putney, West Putney, Putney Embankment and Putney Heath are conservation areas without a windows Article 4.
The adopted policy is Policy LP3, Historic Environment, in the Local Plan adopted 19 July 2023. The operative guidance remains the Historic Environment SPD of November 2016, plus a separate character appraisal for each of the 46 conservation areas.
Before you order in SW15
- Planning authorityLondon Borough of Wandsworth
- Adopted policyLocal Plan 2023, Policy LP3 Historic Environment
- GuidanceHistoric Environment SPD, November 2016
- Article 4 in PutneyDover House Estate; parts of Putney Lower Common
- Council preferenceSlim-fit timber double glazing matching the original
East Putney appeared on English Heritage's conservation areas at risk register in 2009. Where an area has been flagged that way, cumulative small alterations are exactly what officers are watching for.
