The Walcot Estate: restrictive covenants

If you own a property which once belonged to the Foundation it is highly likely that it is the subject of a restrictive covenant. This limits your freedom in choice of exterior paint colours, in the putting up of aerials, satellite dishes, external alarm fittings and some other matters. It will also mean that the consent of the Foundation must be obtained before any significant developments to the property or associated land. These will include replacement windows, roof lights, internal works and any extension as well as outbuildings.

The purpose of the covenants is to maintain the visual unity and amenity of this extraordinary part of London, for the benefit of all.

• Please note: if you undertake works that require our consent, and you have not obtained it, you run the risk of enforcement action and serious difficulties when you come to sell your house. Checks are made by the buyer's solicitors, and you will be required to make truthful declarations In some cases a 'caution' may be entered on the Land Registry listing of your property. To regularize such matters, write to our Property and Estate Manager with full details.
  

Current freeholders should ensure that they are aware of the provisions of the Restrictive Covenant. They cover any planned development and external repainting and are intended to protect the unique character of this area, for the benefit of all. If you are considering any such change, please refer to the covenant as it relates to your property and contact the for advice.

The covenant for your property is likely to contain the provisions shown in the box below (this is given here for general advice—it is vital you refer to the specific covenant applying to your property).

Needing consent?
Applications for consent should be sent to our Property & Estate Manager who will refer the application to the Foundation's Surveyor. Applicants are required to pay the professional fees involved in this. The Foundation may make an administrative charge in addition, though routinely does not.

Approved colours for external decoration
Doors: Black. Window frames: Magnolia or close variant.

Intruder alarms—units on the front of your house
If you intend to install an alarm with the alarm unit on the front of your property (this also includes dummy units) you are required to seek the Foundation's consent.  We usually handle these without reference to our Surveyors and so without charge to you.  You must seek our written consent and comply with these conditions: the visible unit must be of a colour or colours that are sympathetic to the surrounding brick work. The installation should be of modest size and not visually intrusive. If your property is listed you must seek additional consents from the local authority. If in doubt you are advised to consult Lambeth Planning.

In summary

• refer to the restrictive covenant that applies to your property
• send details of what you propose to our Property & Estate Manager
• owners of former Walcot properties should remember that their property is very likely to be in a conservation area, or listed, and so likely to need additional permissions from the local authority planning authority
• special care must be taken in relation to satellite dishes and other aerial arrays—seek advice before installation and make them invisible from street level

The restrictive covenants exist to protect and enhance the area and amenity value for all local residents

External links

• Lambeth Council Planning Services
• Government advice on aerials and satellite dishes in Conservation Areas

Common provision in Walcot Restrictive Covenants
But please refer to the specific covenant attached to your property

1. Not without the written permission of the Transferors or their Surveyors which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld to alter elevation or architectural appearance of the Property or any part thereof or to make any external structural alterations or additions thereto nor without the like consent which like wise shall not be unreasonably withheld or build any erections or building whatsoever upon the Property or any part thereof.

2. Not to paint or decorate the external parts of the Property or any part thereof except in colours and tints previously approved in writing by or on behalf of the Transferors from time to time to the intent that harmony should be preserved with the adjoining buildings of the Transferors. See below for approved paint colours for outside paintwork.

3. Not to permit or suffer the gardens or grounds of the Property or the paths trees or bushes thereon to become unsightly and not to fell or lop or otherwise damage or interfere with any mature tree unless its condition renders it dangerous but at all times to keep the said gardens and grounds and all trees and bushes therein properly tended and cultivated.

4. No bill notice board plate or other advertisement or sign (with the exception of a “for sale” or “to let” notice of normal size displayed for a period of not exceeding three months) shall be displayed on the Property or any part thereof nor shall any flag or banner be so displayed.

5. Not to erect or suffer to be erected on the outside of any building forming part of the Property any aerial of any kind whatsoever.

6. Not to carry on or suffer to be carried on in or upon the Property or any part thereof any trade or business whatsoever or to use the same otherwise than as a single private dwelling house in the occupation of one family only and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) not to use or allow to be used the Property for the accommodation of a group of unrelated persons whether or not they are living together as a single household.

7. Not at any time to do or suffer to be done in or upon the Property any act or thing whatsoever which may be offensive or deemed to be a nuisance inconvenience disturbance or annoyance to the owners or occupiers of any adjoining premises.

8. To maintain in good and substantial repair the boundary walls or fences and also the rear boundary to the extent (if any) that it forms part of the Transferors’ said Estate.

To share with the Transferors or other the owner of the adjoining land the costs of repair and maintenance of ...party walls.

There is often interest in our local history.
See here for material about specific addresses and streets, as well as recollections about the Walcot Estate during WW2

The Survey of London Vol XXIII has a chapter on The Walcot Estate.

19th century map Walcot Estate

External link: The Walcot Estate in Vol XXIII of The Survey of London