13 Abbey Church Yard, City Centre, Bath

13 Abbey Church Yard is a Grade II early 18th century house with ground floor shop situated in the core of the Bath conservation area and World Heritage site. It forms part of the streetscape setting of multiple listed heritage assets including the Grade I Bath Abbey, the Grade II* Concert Room, and the Grade I Grand Pump Room. It overlooks the Scheduled Monument site of the Grade I Roman Baths.

There continues to be a lack of information regarding the shade of green to be used for the repainting of the shop front. We ask that a sample is submitted to the LPA for consideration rather than being conditioned as part of a consent. We emphasise the need for more a more neutral, recessive shade that would not clash or conflict with the natural stone tones of the listed building façade. A matte or eggshell finish should be utilised.

It would be beneficial for the proposed awning to be included within elevations for the LPA to fully assess the visual impact of the proposed changes, and the suitability of including the business’ logo across the awning rather than leaving them plain, which would be more desirable. We further maintain that the replacement awning should be of a high quality canvas, and oppose the use of modern plastic or vinyl equivalents which would sharply contrast with the frontage of a listed building. We would ask that these details are clarified for the benefit of the LPA.

Further details regarding the proposed internal vinyls such as colour and finish should also be included. The Trust is cautious regarding the over-application of internal vinyls which can visually ‘deaden’ or close off shop fronts from their commercial streetscape context.