32 Devonshire Buildings, Bear Flat, Bath

32 Devonshire Buildings forms part of an unlisted early 20th century residential terrace situated within the Bear Flat character area of the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. In scale and form, the terrace is characteristic of Bath’s later traditional housing stock, whilst reinforcing the Bath stone palette of the wider conservation area. Later alterations here are prevalent as elsewhere in Bath, including the replacement of original timber sash windows with unsympathetic uPVC alternatives which have a cumulatively harmful effect on the appearance and character of the conservation area, and erode the traditional detailing of historic terraced housing. The Bear Flat & Oldfield Park Character Appraisal identifies this as one of the key threats to the conservation area.

Our comments focus on the proposed window replacement aspect of this scheme as follows:

We are strongly supportive of the opportunity to replace uPVC windows with timber framed double-glazed sash windows. The reinstatement of a more traditional material alternative is of benefit to the grouped appearance of the terrace and its contribution to the conservation area, whilst also being capable of high thermal performance. We consider this a positive example of mitigating harm caused by uPVC installation which could be applied more widely across similar examples of Bath’s late 19th and 20th century unlisted housing stock.

We are additionally supportive of a proposed replacement front door of a more traditional appearance, although there is a missed opportunity to replicate the 3 panel door design seen extensively across the terrace, which may be indicative that this was the original door design used when the terrace was constructed.