30 Church Street, Upper Weston

The Trust objects to this scheme on the basis that the documentation is poor and the design and materials of the proposed extension do not appear to be an enhancement to this non-designated heritage asset. We note the absence of a Design & Access statement, nor any kind of assessment of heritage context given the proximity of this site to the historic ensemble of church buildings adjacent nor the listed terrace next door.

Despite not being listed, this is an attractive building which contributes to the townscape and it has a distinct roofscape. The drawings for the extension are poor and give no idea of the impact of the development on adjacent heritage assets, the general context or the building itself. It looks to create an incongruous top heavy element in an alien design that is clad in timber, a material which is not appropriate for this part of the conservation area. The fenestration is also poorly placed and sized. Overall this is a disappointing application for a potentially harmful scheme.

The proposed scheme would fail to maintain or enhance the character of the conservation area. 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 B1, B4, and CP6 of the B&NES Core Strategy and policies CP6, D2, D5, HE1, BD1, B.4, of the Placemaking Plan. We would therefore recommend the application be refused.