1 Queenwood Avenue, Fairfield Park, Bath

1 Queenwood Avenue forms part of an unlisted late 19th/early 20th century residential terrace, situated within the Bath World Heritage Site and the immediate townscape setting of the Bath City-Wide Conservation Area, the boundary of which cuts off to the south mid-way along Fairfield Road.

BPT is supportive in principle of the opportunity for energy retrofit of Bath’s existing housing stock and we welcome the opportunity for the thermal upgrade of the building, including more energy efficient glazing, roof and internal insulation, and the installation of PV panels on the proposed flat-roofed extension where these would not be publicly visible.

We have some concerns regarding the proposed use of uPVC windows where these would be materially at odds with the traditional material palette and appearance of the area, and the ancillary townscape setting of the conservation area. Existing examples of uPVC along the terrace have already had an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the local townscape.

Where we continue to campaign for the retrofit of Bath’s existing buildings, we therefore recognise the need to carefully consider the planning balance between the resulting public benefits of the proposed glazing upgrades, including the improved thermal efficiency of the building, reduced heating costs for residents, and contributions towards the council’s net zero objectives, and the perpetuation of an inappropriate material within Bath’s townscape and resulting detriment to local character. We question whether a compromise could be struck, such as the consideration of timber or composite timber double glazing.