University Of Bath, University Of Bath Campus, Claverton Down

The proposed site of works is the University Of Bath campus at Claverton Down, situated within the Bath World Heritage Site and the indicative landscape setting of the Bath conservation area. Areas of the site to the east and south are located within the Cotswolds AONB. The site in its entirety is situated along the boundary of the Green Belt. The university is located along the Bath skyline and forms part of the hillside landscape setting surrounding Bath. The skyline is predominantly populated with trees, tree belts, and woodland forming Bath’s green, undeveloped setting, and constitutes the Green Setting Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the World Heritage Site. Considering the university campus’ size and sensitive location along the edge of the green ‘bowl’ of Bath, this site contributes to the landscape setting of the World Heritage Site through the implementation of tree planting around and through the site to mitigate visual impact. A large number of tree belts on the campus site are the subject of TPOs.

The Trust therefore welcomes the creation of a management plan to ensure the future health of the woodland around campus, which makes an important contribution to the OUV of the World Heritage Site. However, we emphasise the need for a management plan to recognise the need for the careful selection of trees for felling and to ensure an ongoing programme of new and replacement planting to maintain the woodland’s screening function; this has been gradually eroded by new university development, allowing new buildings to be visible in views from rest of city.

We consequently maintain that any tree management plan across the university estate should account for the impact of any proposed works on the Green Setting OUV of the World Heritage Site and how best landscape views from the Georgian city can be protected and enhanced.