- Application Number
- 20/04401/FUL
- Application Date
- 20/11/2020
- Closing Date
- 24/12/2020
- Address
- 75 Englishcombe Lane, Southdown, Bath
- Status
- Object
Replacement boundary fence adjacent to the highway (retrospective).
Our Response
75 Englishcombe Lane is an unlisted mid-20th century dwelling situated within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. The Conservation Area Character Appraisal highlights the diversity of principal boundary treatments in the area, “including open, informal shrub planting, hedges, reconstituted stone walls and chain link fences” with some instances of iron railings. The existing boundary treatment of the site is a low stone wall topped with a chain link fence; whilst of neutral aesthetic value, the visual transparency of the mesh allows for improved views of boundary planting of benefit to the verdant character of the streetscape.
The retrospective proposal for a vertical timber weatherboard fence would therefore be out of character with the established appearance of the streetscape. The photo provided demonstrates that the fence has already closed off the site’s green contribution to the street scene, and is of an unbroken height and length which is of considerable visibility from the public realm.
For increased privacy, the erection of a timber fence may be deemed appropriate if suitably screened from view behind hedging or further shrub planting. In its current form, the timber fence is an inappropriate addition to the use of otherwise natural or traditional methods of boundary demarcation, and neither preserves nor enhances the coherent, green character and appearance of the residential appearance and character of the Bath conservation area.
The replacement boundary fence is an inappropriate rural boundary treatment that harms the rural character of Englishcombe lane, and would neither preserve nor enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area. This application is therefore contrary to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and Policies D1, D2, D3, D4, and HE1 of the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan and should be refused or withdrawn.
The retrospective proposal for a vertical timber weatherboard fence would therefore be out of character with the established appearance of the streetscape. The photo provided demonstrates that the fence has already closed off the site’s green contribution to the street scene, and is of an unbroken height and length which is of considerable visibility from the public realm.
For increased privacy, the erection of a timber fence may be deemed appropriate if suitably screened from view behind hedging or further shrub planting. In its current form, the timber fence is an inappropriate addition to the use of otherwise natural or traditional methods of boundary demarcation, and neither preserves nor enhances the coherent, green character and appearance of the residential appearance and character of the Bath conservation area.
The replacement boundary fence is an inappropriate rural boundary treatment that harms the rural character of Englishcombe lane, and would neither preserve nor enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area. This application is therefore contrary to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and Policies D1, D2, D3, D4, and HE1 of the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan and should be refused or withdrawn.