Clarkson House, 5 Great Stanhope Street, Kingsmead

Clarkson House is an unlisted residential block located with the Bath conservation area and World Heritage site. It is a 1980s replica of a pre-existing war-damaged Georgian property; therefore, the replicability of materials without the loss of historic fabric is acknowledged. However, its prominence within the streetscape and position within an area of concentrated Grade II Georgian terraces emphasises the need for a sensitive treatment to its frontage that complements its context.

BPT supports the proposed replacement with timber sash windows across the building, and emphasises the significance of retaining traditional features such as timber sash windows to remain consistent within the local vernacular setting. The use of slimline glazing is suitable on this building within the conservation area; generally we encourage the sensitive, energy-efficient retrofit of buildings so long as this does not negatively impact any historic fabric.

However, we would recommend that some elements of the application should be amended before it is approved. We feel the inclusion of casement windows on the ground floor is unsuitable in accordance with Policies D2 and D3 of the Core Strategy and Placemaking Plan due to the prevailing use of sash windows both in Clarkson House and the surrounding streetscape; therefore, the design of these windows would need to be changed or adequately justified as to their stylistic variation.