4. Towards a Birmingham Road site design code

Following the key recommendations, we outline very general design principles for the Birmingham Road site. These principles focus on producing simple, well proportioned buildings with simple detailing, that use popular preferences for historic materials. The Frog Lane renders referred to in key recommendation 1, (especially the neo-Georgian image) achieve much of this, were popular with residents and should serve as a foundation going forward.

Buildings

• Windows should have vertically orientated panes, whose openings occupy 15-35 per cent of the wall. Avoid horizontal windows that look squat (except for attic storeys).

• Windows should be timber framed, double-hung sash (e.g. 6 over 6) or casement style. Victorian segmental arch windows can also be used. Avoid tilt windows in aluminium or UPVC.

• Doors should be wood, panelled, and can use transoms with well-proportioned door surrounds, in keep with Lichfield’s historic buildings.

• Correctly positioned and sized cornicing that form a kicked or radiused eave, should be used.

• String courses must be flush with the bottom of window sills.

• Use correct lintels: simple masonry lintels or gauged brick arches with with or without keystones, using the correct proportions.

• Windows can use surrounds and mouldings that match existing types found in Lichfield.

• Mansard rooves or hipped rooves which can have correctly proportioned dormers that are sized in relation to the windows below

• Materials should be be of good quality that reflect Lichfield’s historic palette. Historic Flemish bond red brick, was the most popular material. Other materials can be used that add texture and interest to the building such as render, glazed or terracotta brick, and different brick arrangements, such as dogtooth.