3 Wood Street, City Centre

There are many awkward spots on listed buildings in Bath to reach, but usually common sense prevails and sensible solutions are put in place. We can see no reason why a much less interventionist approach can’t be used on this listed building than the proposed-over-the top metal fence structure. Our recommendation would be the insertion of a harness hook or hooks to tether a window cleaner or worker on a temporary ladder. Whilst this is the rear of the building, it is a building of particularly special interest and the structure proposed is very prominent, not only to the host building but those adjacent. We recommend that a different and less harmful solution is found for the health and safety issue identified.

The proposed scheme would neither preserve nor enhance the special interest of the listed building. It would therefore detract from the special qualities of the WHS. The scheme would be contrary to the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, Section 16 (Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment) of the NPPF, policies CP6, HE1, B.4, B2 of the Local Plan. We would therefore recommend the application be refused or amended.