Lansdown House, Camden Row, Lansdown, Bath

The Trust has reviewed the revised application for this site and we are maintaining our objection to this scheme on the basis of overdevelopment of the plot, resulting in a compromised scheme. As with the last scheme the quantum of development overtakes the plot and results in a scheme that does not assimilate or relate well with the surrounding townscape, and potentially impacts on the setting of adjacent listed and non-designated heritage assets. Notwithstanding the already permitted and indeed welcome scheme for a well-placed and well-sized dwelling on this site, we would hope to see a more imaginative proposal but find this to be mediocre response to the constraints and opportunities of this elongated terraced old orchard land.

The height of this scheme continues to be of concern regarding potential impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area, and on the special interest of this historic townscape when viewed from across the city; any intervention into this view must be designed to blend comfortably and not to intrude upon the architectural harmony and visual quality of this important hillside within the WHS.

We continue to be concerned regarding the loss of more historic boundary wall to the Camden Row side, especially given that the initial loss of boundary wall is regrettable as this is a positive feature within the townscape and the conservation area.

The proposed scheme fails to maintain or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area, potentially harms the setting of nearby heritage assets and would therefore detract from the special qualities of the World Heritage Site, particularly in its relationship to the distinctive appearance of this hillside cityscape. Therefore the proposal would be contrary to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act) 1990, Section 12 (Conserving and enhancing the historic environment) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), policies; B1, B4 and CP6 of the B&NES Core Strategy and policies CP6, D.2, D.5, HE1, D.7, B4, BD1 of the Placemaking Plan. We would therefore recommend that the application is refused.