54 Sydney Buildings, Bathwick, Bath

54 Sydney Buildings is a Grade II detached early 19th century dwelling situated within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site, looking over the Kennet and Avon Canal to the rear. It forms part of a predominantly Grade II streetscape of mixed detached and semi-detached dwellings with sections of more modest terraced houses further north. 54 Sydney Buildings is fairly simple in appearance with a minimal two bay façade and roof parapet in Bath stone ashlar, with recessed arches around the ground floor door and window reveals that match other similar examples on later neighbouring properties.

We are supportive of the works to address damp issues at lower ground floor level and reverse previous, unsympathetic alterations such as the use of an impermeable plaster. We emphasise the need to ensure that the natural stone walls can ‘breathe’ to appropriately mitigate damp issues whilst ensuring the health of historic fabric and mitigating the potential of future issues.

We note the proposed replacement of dry lining board with “insulated plasterboard” to “improve insulation and remove condensation mould”. Further details regarding the insulation specification and installation details are welcomed to ensure that appropriate factors are considered such as maintaining appropriate levels of ventilation, avoiding the possibility of trapped moisture against the stonework, and the repair of any previous damage or harmful alterations.

BPT is interested in the implementation of low carbon energy alternatives where this is coherent with the special architectural and historic interest of a listed building and the historic environment. We cannot comment on the internal material implications of fitting an ASHP without the benefit of a site visit. However, we remain interested in working with the applicant to record the benefits of installation such as energy output and costs savings to create a case study that can be used to inform future sensitive retrofit within Bath.