7 Cambridge Terrace, Widcombe, Bath
7 Cambridge Terrace forms part of a Grade II early 19th century residential terrace, situated within the Widcombe character area of the Bath City-Wide Conservation Area and World Heritage Site. The terrace is characterised as a modest two storey row in Bath stone ashlar, originally designed in a uniform two-bay layout. The terrace has since been substantially altered, with the addition of an additional storey at roof level at Nos. 4 & 5, as well as multiple examples of two storey stack extensions to the front elevations, presumed to be later Victorian additions. The window fenestration style of the terrace is varied, featuring a mix of different styles including later single pane and 2-over-2 designs as well as a traditional 6-over-6 design.
In response to the declared Climate Emergency, BPT is supportive of sensitive sustainability retrofits where these would sustain and reinforce the special architectural and historic interest of a listed building, and the wider character and appearance of the conservation area, whilst maintaining a balance with the need to sympathetically upgrade traditional and listed housing stock to better meet modern standards of living.
It is indicated that the existing rear windows are modern uPVC additions, and therefore of no historic interest. Listed building consent was previously granted for their replacement in 2008, but works were not carried out (see 08/01746/LBA).
The replacement of all windows across the rear elevation with slimlite double glazed units is therefore supported. Replacement would help to improve the building’s thermal performance and reduce energy loss with NO loss of historic fabric, and reinstate a more sympathetic material finish and traditional-style 6-over-6 profile that would enhance the special interest of the building.
We emphasise the need for sufficient information to be provided at this stage, regarding the proposed replacement windows and further design details, such as the glazing thickness, and the proposed thickness and profile of the glazing bar design, to ensure that the proposed window design is coherent with the appearance and character of the listed building and the wider terrace.
With regards to the proposed roof works, we are generally supportive of the proposed resurfacing works to replace cement tiles with natural slate, where this would enhance the material integrity and associated value of the building, and the group value of its terraced context. The Heritage Statement indicates that the dropped roof ridge can likely be attributed to refurbishment works in the 1970s, which has resulted in a disparity in the roof ridge height between No. 7 and its neighbours. Where sufficient evidence is provided regarding the later alteration to the roof structure and lack of retained historic timber, the proposed works to raise the ridge height to match its neighbours is not opposed.
Where it is proposed to install 2x single bay dormer windows to the rear roof slope, there would be some associated benefits such as the removal of the existing, unsympathetic 20th century dormer window. The proposed dormers would be of a reduced height in comparison with the existing dormer, and would utilise a sympathetic multi-pane sash profile which would better relate with the windows in the main building body. We note that the dormer coping is increasingly thick, particularly in relation to the dormer windows referenced at No. 8, resulting in a somewhat top-heavy and fussy appearance in contrast with the simplicity of the window openings below. There is a question as to whether the dormer profile and design could be simplified, with the added benefit of reducing the height further.
We have some concerns regarding the proposed addition of a dormer window to the front roof pitch, where this would form part of the principal elevation of the building. The addition of a roof dormer would interrupt the parapet line and the roof form, with greater visual impact where the principal façade can be publicly experienced as part of the wider terrace. No. 7 arguably has some attributed significance as the last dwelling in the terrace without a dormer window in its front roof slope. We continue to express a strong preference for the use of rooflights where these integrate better with the existing roof pitch; the need for dormer windows would arguably be addressed through the addition of these windows in the rear roof slope where these would be of restricted visibility. We therefore recommend that the front-facing dormer is omitted from proposals.