The Grapes, 14 Westgate Street, City Centre, Bath

Proposal
External alterations for proposal to create new roof light openings to the earlier rear courtyard roof and install an air source heat pump.
Our Response

14 Westgate Street forms one half of a pair of Grade II* 17th century buildings with an early 18th century façade, now a public house, situated within the commercial core of the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. It forms part of a terraced streetscape of predominantly Grade II buildings and a busy shopping thoroughfare within the city. It additionally forms the corner of a significant lane through to St Michael’s Place; formerly Cross Bath Lane, it is one of the few surviving lanes and passageways that are indicative of Bath’s medieval plan form.

In light of the Climate Emergency, BPT is supportive of sensitive sustainability retrofits, where deemed appropriate, within the historic environment, as well as the sympathetic upgrade of traditional housing stock to better meet modern standards of living. As such, we therefore note a positive opportunity for the sensitive implementation of energy efficiency retrofits and thermal improvements without the loss of historic fabric.

The proposed Air-Source Heat Pump (ASHP) would be located on a flat single storey roof, which is indicated to be a modern intervention, to the rear of the pub. Considering the restricted sightlines in this area and visual screening from adjacent buildings, the unit would be of negligible public visibility where it is appropriately set back from the roof edge.

Any material impact to the listed building such as new fixings or access points should be included as part of this application.

Possible concerns include the potential increase of noise in this area, but we note that ASHPs that run at a reduced volume are available and should therefore be considered to sustain the special character and public amenities of St Michael’s Place.

Application Number: 22/01537/LBA
Application Date: 11/04/2022
Closing Date: 26/05/2022
Address: The Grapes, 14 Westgate Street, City Centre, Bath
Our Submission Status: Comment