- Application Number
- 20/02162/FUL
- Application Date
- 23/06/2020
- Closing Date
- 06/08/2020
- Address
- 9 Northfields Close, Lansdown
- Status
- Object
Erection of fence to the front of property.
Our Response
9 Northfields Close is an unlisted mid- to late-20th century dwelling situated within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage site, visibly notable as part of the junction between Northfields Close and Lansdown Road. The site currently utilises mature trees and hedge planting behind a low, coursed rubble stone wall to enclose the garden, indicative of the traditional boundary treatments of properties within the Upper Lansdown Character Area. Its prominent corner position renders it a significant contributor to Lansdown’s visually verdant appearance and “tranquillity” of character.
Therefore, the Trust strongly opposes the replacement of the existing hedging with a timber boundary fence on the principle of the loss of characteristic street greenery. The placement of a new fence up against the back of the wall would be wholly out of keeping with the character and appearance of both the open, spacious setting of Northfields Close, and the well-planted, verdant appearance of the immediate streetscape of Lansdown Road. The use of timber fencing would be an inappropriate addition to the use of otherwise natural or traditional methods of boundary demarcation, and would neither preserve nor enhance the coherent, green character and appearance of this region of the Bath conservation area.
Should a fence be permitted by the LPA, we would strongly suggest that it should sit at a maximum of 1m in height, and set back at least 500mm from the inner wall face to permit the generous, preferably mixed, re-planting of the hedge to enable the retention of Lansdown Road’ strong, green character.
This application in its current form would therefore constitute harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area, and is contrary to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Section 16 of the NPPF, and Policies B1, BD1, D1, D2, D3, D4, and HE1 of the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan. This application should therefore be refused or withdrawn.
Therefore, the Trust strongly opposes the replacement of the existing hedging with a timber boundary fence on the principle of the loss of characteristic street greenery. The placement of a new fence up against the back of the wall would be wholly out of keeping with the character and appearance of both the open, spacious setting of Northfields Close, and the well-planted, verdant appearance of the immediate streetscape of Lansdown Road. The use of timber fencing would be an inappropriate addition to the use of otherwise natural or traditional methods of boundary demarcation, and would neither preserve nor enhance the coherent, green character and appearance of this region of the Bath conservation area.
Should a fence be permitted by the LPA, we would strongly suggest that it should sit at a maximum of 1m in height, and set back at least 500mm from the inner wall face to permit the generous, preferably mixed, re-planting of the hedge to enable the retention of Lansdown Road’ strong, green character.
This application in its current form would therefore constitute harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area, and is contrary to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Section 16 of the NPPF, and Policies B1, BD1, D1, D2, D3, D4, and HE1 of the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan. This application should therefore be refused or withdrawn.