8 Lambridge Place, Lambridge, Bath
8 Lambridge Place forms part of a Grade II late 18th century residential terrace at 1-16 Lambridge Place, situated within the Bath City-Wide Conservation Area and World Heritage Site. It forms part of a homogenous architectural streetscape adjacent to the Grade II terrace at 17-29 Lambridge Place, both of which are attributed to John Eveleigh. The terrace at Nos. 1-16 varies slightly due to the increased visibility of its mansard roof and integrated dormer windows, in comparison Nos. 17-19 where the use of a pitched roof is recessed behind the parapet line. The established roof finish is a mix of clay pantiles and natural slate. No. 8 features a mix of clay pantiles and asbestos cement slates; the asbestos slates are currently visible as part of the building frontage.
We are supportive of proposed remedial roof works to remove the existing artificial slate to be replaced in a natural Welsh slate. The use of a natural slate would reinstate a more sympathetic and traditional material finish in keeping with the special interest of the listed building. The wholescale use of slate across the roof would ensure a cohesive roofscape finish, and enhance the appearance of the listed building in the wider townscape and conservation area.
We recommend that where stripping works to the roof are being undertaken, this would be a positive opportunity for the installation of roof insulation, or upgrading of any roof insulation already in situ, to improve the thermal efficiency of the building.
Where it is proposed to reseat the existing coping stones with a cement mortar, we recommend the use of a lime mortar of an appropriate strength (eg. hydraulic) where this is more compatible with historic fabric.
Where it is proposed to construct scaffolding to facilitate roof works, we emphasise that that where possible scaffolding should be freestanding to minimise the need to drill into the stonework of a primary elevation of a listed building. Should fixings be unavoidable, these should be limited to the mortar joints to minimise irreversible damage. We would therefore recommend further details regarding the schedule of scaffolding, and a stone repairs specification post-removal to be supplied to the LPA, and emphasise the need for a minimally invasive approach.