Best One, 17-18 Broad Street, City Centre

The Trust objects to this application on the basis of inappropriate materials and illumination. Whilst we note that the business owner has made efforts to improve signage, sadly this has not been successful. The use of black gloss paint, gold acetate lettering and white vinyl window displays are all inappropriate and produces a low quality aesthetic on this listed building on a key route in Bath. Similarly the use of illumination and the television display (which we note is not included in the application) are unacceptable. The overall shop front display and finish are all contrary to the guidance contained in the Commercial Signage SPD. We recommend the illumination and television is removed, and the case officer negotiates a more appropriate solution for the shopfront.

The proposed scheme would neither preserve nor enhance the special interest of the listed building. Therefore the proposal would be contrary to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act) 1990, Section 16 (Conserving and enhancing the historic environment) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), policies; B1, B4, B2, and CP6 of the B&NES Core Strategy and policies CP6, HE1, D9, B4 of the Placemaking Plan. We would therefore recommend that the application is refused.