2 Manor Farm Cottages, Anchor Lane, Combe Hay

2 Manor Farm Cottages are a pair of Grade II dwellings that originally formed a singular property from as early as the late 15th or early 16th century. The cottages and their ancillary surroundings form part of Bath’s World Heritage setting, the Green Belt, and the Cotswolds AONB, whilst forming an integral central element of the Combe Hay conservation area. The area’s high level of special interest is derived from the village’s strong, visual rural character, and the contribution of “hedgerows overhung by thick tree canopy” to the settlement’s distinctiveness of atmosphere.

BPT therefore asserts that the removal of native British trees, with no stated intention of replanting replacements of a similar species, will neither preserve nor enhance the documented special character and appearance of the conservation area. The application provides no details of the proposed tree works and no suitable justification for their removal which will harm an important area of green infill at the centre of the village conservation area. The loss of internal green infrastructure will further harm the village’s contribution to the rural, woodland setting of this region of the Green Belt and the Cotswolds AONB.

Consequently, the Trust requests that further information is supplied detailing the nature of works, and a justification for tree removal that acknowledges the proposed harm to the setting of a listed building and the wider conservation area. We would ask that potential mitigating actions such as the replanting of native species in a negotiated location are considered. Therefore, in accordance with the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, section 16 of the NPPF, and Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan Policies B1, B4, CP6, HE1, NE2, NE2A, and GB1, we feel that this application is inadequate and would require revision before it could be assessed properly.