Centurion House, North Parade Road, Bathwick, Bath

Centurion House is a contemporary student accommodation development (see 17/04338/FUL) on the site of Bath Cricket Club, situated within the Bath conservation area and World Heritage Site. The development forms part of the main approach along North Parade into the city centre over the River Avon. The proposed signage would be located in front of the north elevation and would therefore be clearly visible as part of the streetscape.

Considering the contemporary nature of the development and the relatively varied character of this streetscape context, we do not oppose the proposed use of corten steel signage.

However, we maintain concerns regarding the indication that the sign “is designed to take internal illumination at a later date if required.” We maintain that Bath has a distinctive low-level illuminated character as a city which informs its evening and night-time appearance. Whilst situated outside of the historic core, the proposed signage would be located on a busy and direct approach into the centre and forms part of the shared character and appearance of the conservation area. Open areas such as the riverside and the cricket grounds would form darker ‘spots’ within Bath’s night time environment. We therefore strongly discourage the consideration of future illuminated signage as this would not preserve or enhance the appearance and character of the conservation area, and detracts from its visual amenity value.