- Application Number
- 21/02620/LBA
- Application Date
- 10/06/2021
- Closing Date
- 22/07/2021
- Address
- 6 Widcombe Crescent, Widcombe, Bath
- Status
- Support
Internal and external alterations to include; renewal of failing existing services within the house including sanitary ware, heating system and refitting of bathrooms and kitchen. Timber floor repair and restoration, repair and restoration of original stone floors at lower ground, restoration of original fireplace hearths, replacement of missing chimney pot and fitting of proprietary ventilated cowls to disused chimneys, maintenance to lead gutters, rainwater goods and lead-lined services at third floor, installation of 3 No. rooflights, new door and fanlight to the lower ground floor lobby to the courtyard, additional insulation and new air-tight/insulated loft hatches. Restoration of the basement and pavement vaults (to include cleaning of exposed stone vaults, new stone tile floor, repair and restoration of an existing sink and removal of tanking finishes).
Our Response
BPT is supportive of the proposed works to the vaults to remove impermeable tanking finishes back to the original stonework. We maintain that the management of damp levels in historic properties is best addressed by targeting the causes of damp rather than the symptoms, such as leaking services, vegetation growth, and eroded pointing and surfaces. We therefore encourage the package of works to address issues of damp at 6 Widcombe Crescent. We encourage passive means of damp mitigation such as natural ventilation and the facilitation of the permeable qualities of historic fabric, such as Bath stone.
We note the intention to bring the vaults “back into use” and emphasise that use should be ancillary to the domestic function of the main building, rather than for principal domestic use such as bedrooms or bathrooms.
We recommend collaboration with Highways regarding the proposed laying of a DPM beneath the pavement flags and ongoing maintenance works such as weeding and repointing.