35 Warminster Road, Bathampton, Bath

35 Warminster is an unlisted detached 20th century dwelling, situated within the World Heritage Site and the indicative townscape setting of the Bath conservation area to the west and the Bathampton conservation area to the north. Due to its location on the roadside of Warminster Road, it forms part of a significant and busy thoroughfare into both conservation areas, and the city centre.

The existing dwelling is of little architectural or material significance and therefore any visual impact should be considered in relation to the streetscape and the visual amenities of its townscape setting and local distinctiveness.

We note that the street-facing elevations are more enclosed, whereas the northern rear elevations are opened up to wider landscape views towards Batheaston in which PV panels may be of greater visual impact.

We maintain that the suitability of PV and solar panels cannot be considered properly without further details about the scale, appearance, colour, and finish of the proposed panels due to the amount of variety seen in different panel specifications. We emphasise our preference for ‘frameless’ panels with a matt black finish to minimise reflectivity and possible brightness of appearance and blend in as best as possible with the existing roof covering. Panels should sit as flush with the existing roof slope as practicable to prevent a visible ‘increase’ in roof ridge height.