Telling us where you are in Brockley
People here say they are at Brockley station (London Overground's Windrush line and Southern), on Hilly Fields, at the Brockley Jack theatre, or by the Rivoli Ballroom on Brockley Road; Crofton Park station is the marker on the south side. Name one and a road, and you are told who is coming, the price and how they will open the door without damage.
What the homes are like, and what that means for the lock
Lewisham Council describes the Brockley conservation area, designated in 1973, as a leafy, speculatively developed Victorian suburb, with most houses built in the second half of the 19th century. Distinctive detailing includes stucco capitals and window surrounds, tile paths and terracotta. After the First World War many of the big houses were divided, and there are postwar council blocks at the south end of Wickham Road and the west end of Adelaide Avenue. A single street can hold a family house, a two flat conversion and a block with six bells.
Replacing a door in the conservation area
The council has made an Article 4 direction for the Brockley conservation area. It says that under an Article 4 direction, changes to windows, doors and other external alterations visible from a public place need planning permission, for houses used as a single home; flats and subdivided houses do not have permitted development rights and must apply to replace doors or windows. So a new lock is one thing and a new front door another. ESL repairs and changes locks. Ask the council before you pay for a new door. After a break in, changing locks after a burglary says what to tell the police and your insurer first.
Common jobs
- Original timber doors in the Victorian villas, with worn nightlatches and mortice locks.
- Lock changes between tenancies in divided houses.
- Repairs after a break in, on period doors that need care.
- Council block doors on Wickham Road and Adelaide Avenue.
Questions people ask
Will you replace my original door? Where a door needs replacing rather than a lock repair, we say so before quoting.
My flat is in a converted villa. Who owns the front door? Usually the freeholder or building. Ask them, and we can help with your own flat door.
How is the price set? Per job, before anyone travels.
Nearby
We also cover Lewisham, Catford and Hither Green.
All areas