137 The Hollow, Southdown, Bath

137 The Hollow is an unlisted 20th century dwelling situated within the Bath World Heritage Site and the indicative townscape setting of the Bath conservation area. The grain and pattern of the area is primarily defined by a detached and semi-detached residential form with front and rear garden space. Whilst there are several examples of a terraced, higher density form along The Hollow, the aesthetic and functional residential pattern of this streetscape remains majoritively semi-detached with beneficial spacing between dwellings for parking or side access to rear gardens.

We therefore maintain that the addition of a four-bed dwelling on the side of 137 The Hollow would be inappropriate and introduce an increased residential density within the townscape and unbalance the semi-detached form and use of the dwelling and its neighbour. The subdivision of the site would be further emphasised in the scheme’s proposed boundary treatment with the creation of two separate driveways and accesses. The constrained location of the proposed dwelling would result in a cramped appearance with very limited external amenity space to the rear. It is additionally unclear as to whether this property would be compliant with the nationally described space standard; considering the site has a footprint 59.5m2, this would offer a maximum of 119m2 for a two storey four-bed dwelling. This does not account for footprint space reserved for external amenity and parking.

We appreciate the site is already developed with a garage, but we highlight this is clearly ancillary to the main dwelling in function and does not increase the separate, residential density of the site. The site of 137 The Hollow remains aesthetically and functionally unified.

We have concerns that this application would establish a precedent for intensified infill development at detriment to the well-spaced and balanced appearance and character of the townscape. It would be an uncomfortable insertion at odds with its residential context.

This application would therefore be contrary to Policies D2, D3, D6, and D7 of the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan and we suggest it is refused or withdrawn.