5 North Parade Buildings, City Centre, Bath, Bath and North-East Somerset, BA1 1NS
5 North Parade Buildings (No. 5) is included on the National Heritage List for England at Grade II. List entry number: 1395818 (2-6, North Parade Buildings). No. 5 is located with the Bath World Heritage Site(s) and the Bath city-wide conservation area.
In relation to the contribution of the windows to the significance of No. 5, the submission includes the following.
“In broad terms, we have concluded that all the windows to the rear of the property are either modern replacements or substantially rebuilt in the 1960s. We have also concluded that it is likely that almost all the windows on the front of the property are 18th century in date but may have been partially or substantially restored in the 1960s.
The exception would be the sub-basement (kitchen) window with this being a wholly modern replacement” (un-numbered 2nd page, Fenestration Audit) (the audit).
The audit does not appear to engage with the qualities of the glass in the historic windows and the loss of historic glass would detract from the significance of the listed building. Of course, the case officer will benefit from the opportunity of a site visit to inform their consideration of what, if any, the windows, doors and their associated glazing contributes to the significance of No. 5.
With regard to the proposed replacement windows to the rear elevation, if the existing do not add to the significance of No. 5, then their loss is acceptable in principle. Section drawings at a suitable standard scale of the proposed replacement are absent. In terms of design, broadly timber windows with slim line double glazing and ‘true’ glazing bars are likely to be acceptable.
The application contains no drawings relating to the proposed secondary glazing. Broadly, this is typically acceptable in principle; however, of course the officer will need to consider the relationship between the proposed installations and any internal historic joinery and in elevation it should respect the glazing pattern of the windows it serves.
With reference to those windows subject to proposed “Glass upgraded to Pilkington Spatia or similar”, though the specific type of glazing is not given, if it is to be vacuum glazing, BPT have reservations concerning what interventions may be required to accommodate the new glazing in historic window joinery. Unfortunately, the specific approach has not been demonstrated/illustrated or explained via the application. Perhaps existing and proposed scale section drawings including the glazing and explanatory notes on the work to be undertaken would be beneficial. If the Local Planning Authority finds that this aspect of the scheme is unacceptable, then consideration could be given to the retention of historic single glazing and the installation of secondary glazing, subject to the above.
Further to the possible vacuum glazing, though details are lacking, there are concerns with the visual impact of the micro dots/pillars typically found with this type of glazing and that this will detract from the aesthetic value of No. 5 and the wider listed terrace.
If the officer concludes that the opening and window subject to proposed blocking up (rear elevation) is acceptable, we question the need to illustrate its position via a set-back, if the opening/window is not historic.
Notwithstanding the concerns above, BPT welcomes sensitive sustainability retrofits that are appropriate to the special qualities of the historic environment.