The Stable, 1 – 3 Westgate Buildings, City Centre

The Trust objects to this application on the basis of illumination and excessive signage proposed. As is stands the application fails to accord with the guidance contained in the Commercial Signage and Tables/Chairs in the Conservation Area SPD. The use of illumination is unnecessary and harmful to both the character of the conservation area and the historic square in which this business is located. Illumination should be removed entirely from the application, except perhaps to light a small menu box. There is too much signage lettering which dominates the façade and all of it is pin mounted (some in a low quality white finish); the amount of lettering should be reduced and at least some of it should be traditionally sign painted on to the fascia. Some pin mounted bronze lettering would be acceptable.

The proposed scheme fails to maintain or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area, potentially harms the setting of nearby heritage assets of particular significance and would therefore detract from the special qualities of the World Heritage Site. 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, B2, B4 and CP6 of the B&NES Core Strategy and policies CP6, D.2, HE1, D.8, D.9, B4, B of the Placemaking Plan. We would therefore recommend that the application is refused.